Family planning : religious leaders, allies at the heart of change

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Extract from the article: Recognising the crucial importance of social norms and the role of religious leaders in achieving the objectives of the Ouagadougou Partnership (OP), the OP Coordination Unit (UCPO) organised a regional OP civil society workshop from 01 to 03 October

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Recognizing the importance of social norms and the role of religious leaders in family planning, the Ouagadougou Partnership Coordination Unit (UCPO) organized a regional workshop from October 1 to 3, 2024. The meeting highlighted the contribution of religious leaders to achieving the PO's objectives, while strengthening collaboration between civil society, young people, and partners.

During these three days, participants took stock of the contribution of religious leaders to achieving the PO's objectives, discussed the successes, challenges, and prospects of civil society actors, particularly religious leaders, in achieving the results of the new phase of the PO, and identified promising activities to be carried out in favor of FP in countries in crisis. In addition, the meeting provided an opportunity to assess the impact of religious extremism on the progress of the feminist movement, which will enable them to define strategies to counter discriminatory discourse during these three days of meetings. It was also an opportunity to renew the regional offices of the Alliance of West African Religious Leaders for Health Promotion and Development (ARAO/SD) and to strengthen ties between the various actors involved in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Partnership (OP).

A fundamental role

Experience since the launch of the PO in 2011 shows that attitudes and behaviors related to family planning are largely influenced by religious values and cultural practices. Religious leaders, as respected figures, are well placed to influence behaviors and overcome cultural barriers. « When it comes to religion, our values and social norms sometimes influence access to family planning services. Some people think that using contraception is a sin. So we need religious leaders to help us explain what family planning is and find holy words that can be used to describe it. They help us find passages that make the message easier to understand. We recognize the importance of social norms and the role of religious leaders in achieving the PO's objectives, » explained Dr. Abram Amétépé Agossou, Director of Maternal and Child Health at the Togolese Ministry of Health.

Actions by religious leaders

To counter resistance from certain communities, religious leaders have adapted their approach. They rely on associations such as the Alliance of West African Religious Leaders (ARAO/SD), which brings together different faiths.

Imam Karim Sani described this strategy: « Since the Ministry of Health began its awareness campaigns, many of the faithful have been reluctant to adopt these contraceptive methods. Because when we talk about family planning, people immediately think of birth control. So we adopted the expression ‘responsible procreation’ to explain that it's not actually about stopping the problem, but about spacing out births to allow the mother to recover and the first child to grow up before having a second. »

The responsibility of religious leaders is to raise awareness in places of worship, such as mosques, about adopting methods that can help people protect themselves and be responsible for their actions. « The Church offers family planning for spiritual and physical health. We take advantage of department meetings to raise awareness among the faithful. We advise couples to space out their pregnancies and to be responsible so that they can take good care of the children they bring into the world. And to young people, so as not to lead them astray, we offer them chastity according to the Bible, » emphasizes Reverend Pastor Nassoime Jacques.

For His Majesty Togbui Essi Akpovi, an approach to family planning is based on cultural values. « In tradition, we do not talk about family planning as a science, but as ancestral wisdom. The land only yields good crops if it is left to rest. Similarly, we teach that women's health is sacred because they are the pillars of the family and the clan. We advise young mothers to space out births so that each child is a source of strength for our community » he explained.

The impact on women's empowerment

Sexual and reproductive health rights are essential for women's empowerment. By allowing them to control their own bodies and lives, they help reduce maternal mortality, unwanted pregnancies, and sexual violence. These rights also open up opportunities for women to pursue education, access employment, and participate fully in social and economic life for the development of the country. Access to contraception and quality healthcare therefore helps prevent early pregnancies and unsafe abortions, which are major problems. It is estimated that one in five girls worldwide gives birth to her first child before the age of 18. In addition, pregnancy-related complications are one of the leading causes of death among adolescents aged 15 to 19. Religious leaders are important allies in this fight. It is essential that religious leaders work alongside health professionals to facilitate the dissemination of messages about family planning by finding passages in the Bible or the Koran that corroborate the importance of this practice.

Persistent challenges and threats

Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain, particularly in Togo, where access to care remains unequal due to underfunding of the health system, shortages of staff and medicines, and discrimination. In addition, the resurgence of fundamentalism and the rise of religious conservatism threaten the gains made in women's rights. According to a 2017 study by the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, a woman's right to make autonomous decisions about her own body and reproductive functions is central to her fundamental rights to equality, privacy, and physical integrity. In Togo, the maternal mortality rate was 399 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021. Access to safe and legal abortion, the decriminalization of abortion, and the training of health care providers are essential measures to protect the lives and health of women, especially adolescents.

By Esther KOLANI