CONTENTS
HIGHLIGHTSPopulation 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
July, 1994 |
Challenges for Family Planning ProgramsWorkers selected with their communities' input may have a better chance of being accepted than workers chosen by outsiders, as a review of community-based programs in Africa suggests (248). In some cases newly employed family planning workers may displace traditional practitioners, such as traditional birth attendants and midwives, who play a vital social role. Collaboration may be important to win support from traditional practitioners and avoid resistance that could make the task of family planning workers more difficult. Promoting family planning providers helps women win community respect as qualified, trustworthy professionals. Strengthening both the image and the skills of providers can attract and keep clients. Johns Hopkins Population Communication Services has dubbed this the PRO approach—Promoting Professional Providers (259). A survey in Kenya showed that people who had heard the radio drama in the Haki Yako ("It's Your Right") PRO approach campaign were less likely to have a negative image of family planning providers than people who had not heard it (320). Visible symbols of family planning employment help, too. In Kenya and Zimbabwe, for example, female community-based distributors wear uniforms and have signs outside their homes signifying official endorsement of their work. Recognized as community leaders and authorities, family planning workers are often the only women who sit on the podium at official village events (188). |