JHU/PCS Advocacy at Work
Bangladesh: Advocacy for a Strategic Approach
The process of developing a National Family Planning/Maternal
Health IEC Strategy with the more than 40 stakeholders, public
and private, became a powerful means for advocating health
centers that can provide “one-stop” shopping for health services.
The Green Umbrella logo identifies and promotes the centers.
Bolivia: Advocacy for Reproductive Health
The 45-member IEC Technical Committee that was established to link private and public sector health agencies persuaded the Minister of Health and the Vice President to speak out on national TV promoting reproductive health. As a result of the Committee’s advocacy, the government and leading political parties now support nationwide reproductive health services whereas ten years ago this would have been politically difficult.
Ecuador: Advocacy for Safe Motherhood
A satellite teleconference linking the First Ladies of Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and the United States used the latest technology to call high-level political attention to maternal survival. This advocacy precipitated two critical decisions on the part of Ecuadorean Minister of Health: (1) a ‘98 decree announcing maternal mortality as the highest national priority and (2) the creation of the National Program for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality within Ministry of Health (MOH) services.
Indonesia: Advocacy for Public-Private Partnerships
A summative review of the country’s IEC programs and urban initiatives became the vehicle and the platform for advocating greater private sector participation. This culminated in the government’s creation of the Blue Circle Program, one of the largest privatization efforts for family planning services in the world.
Jordan: Advocacy with Religious Leaders
Seeking religious support, an advocacy program to promote child spacing and reproductive health began with a survey of religious leaders. When the data showed high levels of support among these leaders, a campaign for more support from men was launched with high level endorsements from the royal family and the key ministries. With these endorsements, the MOH is now committed to improve the quality of family health services.
Kenya: Advocacy for Youth Programs
Support for youth programs can be sensitive, but an advocacy program that began with community leaders, parents’ groups, and religious organizations created a more youth-friendly environment. This allowed a popular radio Youth Variety Show to address issues in reproductive health that were not included under the formal family life education programs in schools.
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