Empowered to Access Family Planning Services

During a social mobilization activity that The Challenge Initiative (TCI) held in the Jos North local government area in Plateau state, Aisha, a 23-year-old stay-at-home mom, listened intently as the social mobilizer explained the benefits of family planning services.

Aisha was particularly interested because she became pregnant with twins immediately after getting married at 19 and, unfortunately, lost them due to complications that almost claimed her life as well. Six months after that harrowing experience, Aisha became pregnant again and experienced complications that led to an emergency cesarean section at eight months. As a result, Aisha knew she did not want to become pregnant again without allowing enough time for her body to heal.

After hearing from the TCI social mobilizer, she knew family planning would help her plan her next pregnancy. Aisha’s mother supported her decision and broached the subject with Aisha’s husband on her behalf. Her husband, a primary school teacher, had limited knowledge of family planning and erroneously believed it was only for couples that no longer wanted children. After discussing it with Aisha’s mother, he came to understand how family planning would be benefit his wife and, therefore, his family.

Aisha then visited a TCI demonstration health facility where she accessed a long-acting, reversible contraceptive method. She shared her relief after receiving the method, saying, “I thank God for saving my life through family planning.”

Accessing family planning services not only provided Aisha with the opportunity to space her pregnancies, it also gave her the chance to avoid further pregnancy complications therefore saving her from potential infertility, disability or even death.

Contributed by: Eje Chimzaram Chukwuma