ARFH has called for more support from traditional & religious leaders in addressing the myths and misconceptions regarding child spacing. The call was made during the Second Child Spacing Day and training of 568 women on different family planning methods in Birnin-Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara under the Expanded Social Marketing Project in Nigeria (ESMPIN) project. The Expanded Social Marketing Project in Nigeria (ESMPIN) is a five-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed at expanding access to Child spacing and improve child survival in Nigeria through the private sector market.
The 568 women were mobilised across the local government through the use of Community-Based Distribution Agents (CBDAs) with support from the state’s Ministry of Health. According to Mr Bamidele Oluwaseun, ESMPIN Project Officer, part of the child spacing methods taught included long-acting reversible method, such as an implant, Intra Uterine Device (IUD), barriers methods, such as condoms including female condoms. Other methods are counselling, injection, insertions, as well as oral pills. Mr Bamidele Oluwaseun also expressed the hope that the overall goal of increasing access, knowledge among women and men of reproductive age would be achieved if government played its role and if partners increased their commitment and support.
Speaking at the event, The Emir of Birnin-Magaji, Alhaji Ahmad Dan’Ali, declared his commitment and support alongside his 10 district heads and promised to create an enabling environment for the success of the programme
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