y Chapter 6.2: Models of Change, Population Reports, Series M, Number 12

CONTENTS

         Chapters
  1. Family Planning—An Asset for Women
  2. Family Planning Saves Lives
  3. Contraceptive Use Helps Women Plan
  4. How Can Family Planning Programs Benefit Women?
  5. Encouraging Men's Cooperation
  6. Employing Women in Family Planning Programs
  7. Shaping Policies to Meet Women's Needs

HIGHLIGHTS


Population Reports is published by the Population Information Program, Center for Communication Programs, The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4012, USA


Volume XXII, Number 1
July, 1994

Models of Change

 Women working in family planning offer other women more than family planning information and supplies. They often are agents of change and new role-models for their communities.

By persevering and winning respect, women working in family planning set an example for other women (see side-bar, Family Planning Field Worker Helps Create New Roles for Women). They legitimize women's employment, and family planning workers can serve as examples that young women can aspire to emulate (140).

Family planning workers can stimulate change in their communities in many ways. Their work can loosen taboos detrimental to women and even help other women assert themselves. For example, after three years of a women-staffed community-based project in Mali, villagers were more willing to discuss such previously taboo topics as family planning and contraceptives (157). In Nairobi, Kenya, female volunteers in a family planning project spoke with confidence in public gatherings (157). In both India and Bangladesh community acceptance has enabled female field workers to intervene in family disputes, rebuking and advising men and providing moral support to women (157, 302).


Previous | Next
Top of Page | Table of Contents


111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
Phone: (410) 659.6300/Fax: (410) 659.6266/E-mail: Poprepts@jhuccp.org

Population Reports