Leadership and Governance
LEADERSHIP IN FAMILY PLANNING
Leadership refers to the qualities the individuals possess, allowing them to motivate others to move toward achieving concrete objectives. In the case of family planning, it requires bringing together the multiple partners that work in family planning toward a common goal of improving FP services and increasing contraceptive prevalence.
GOVERNANCE IN FAMILY PLANNING
Governance refers to the systems established and procedures used to ensure the functioning of key organizations working in family planning. It requires accountability, transparency, integrity, and commitment to the common goal. While it is essential that the lead organization manifest these characteristics, they apply equally to other organizations working in family planning.
The Programme National de Santé de la Reproduction
(PNSR) is mandated by the Ministry of Health to take the
leadership role in coordinating in family planning service
provision throughout the country. For historical reasons and
a lack of government financial support for programmatic
activities, the PNSR has been limited in its ability to carry
out this mandate.
However, many of the organizations (NGOs, FBOs, and CSOs) that work in family planning have shown considerable initiative in increasing access to family planning through their own programming, often as part of integrated health services (the minimum package of services).
With increasing interest on the parts of government, local implementing organizations, donors, and others in developing stronger FP programs, many look to PNSR to play a stronger role in the coordination of an expanding area within public health programs. Given the current situation, it is also important to strengthen coordination among the different organizations working in family planning, to achieve greater synergy from their activities and to continue to focus attention on the goal of increasing contraceptive prevalence.