Malawi among the Global leaders in Family Planning

A remarkable increase in Modern Contraception Prevalence from 6% in 1992 to 58% in 2020 has seen Malawi being recognised as one of the countries that are performing well in Family Planning in the world.

Women in Malawi have roughly double the rate of modern contraceptive use (58%) when compared with women across the rest of sub-Saharan Africa (29%). This access to and use of contraception has helped Malawi improve women’s health and socioeconomic wellbeing.

Malawi has faced significant hurdles in its journey to improve access to family planning. In 1983, the country had only two family planning clinics, and the nation is overwhelmingly rural, complicating distribution.

Nevertheless, Malawi has succeeded in making a range of contraceptive choices – including self-injectables and long-acting reversible contraceptives (implants and intrauterine devices) available across the nation – including the 85% of the population living in rural areas. The country has even been able to reach adolescents, a traditionally difficult population to serve, with contraception services.

Malawi Recognised as Global Leader in Family Planning.

Speaking during a press briefing organised by African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) today in Lilongwe, Ministry of Health Chief Reproductive Health Officer, Mary Mulombe Phiri said supported by various stakeholders, Government recognises the impact of family planning on development of the country and is committed to ensuring friendly policies and investing in family planning programmes.

“From MK26 million budget allocation in 2012, we have this year been allocated MK475 million funding from government . Over the years, a lot of work has been done to drive change and progress in Malawi by promoting sexual reproductive health rights and removing restrictive bans on access to contraceptives. We are increasing access sites, improving service delivery, financing, and reaching out to more remote areas,” she said.

In his remarks, Director of Information under Ministry of Information and Digitalisation, Chikumbutso Mtumodzi attributed Malawi’s success to formulation and efficient implementation of key policies and strategies, successful implementation of family planning programs by various stakeholders, and increased global attention and financing for family planning.

Mtumodzi further highlighted the importance of population control as a key element in preventing depletion of natural resources, environmental degradation, unemployment, high living costs and water shortage among others.

AFIDEP Executive Director, Dr. Eliya Zulu said family planning is an empowering tool for women and has far reaching benefits on women’s health as they can be able to decide when and how to have children. He also said Family Planning has a cross cutting impact on Sustainable Development Goals and benefits the economy.

“Family Planning is one of the smart investments a country can make. Malawi has made great strides over the past 30 years since the first president approved implementation of the Family Planning Program in 1982, and is the highest in Africa at 58% and ranks amongst the highest globally. Other countries want to learn from us, the international community is interested to find out how we did it,” he said.