Family Planning

Family planning isn't simply a service - it’s an empowering choice, a means to realize human rights. It equips individuals and couples with the knowledge and resources to decide if, when and how many children to have. However, for this to be effective, we must ensure that this freedom extends to every corner of our society. In the Maldives, the path to progress is paved with opportunity, but also with significant challenges. 

More than 30% of women who wish to avoid pregnancy in the Maldives lack access to contraceptives. The largest unmet need lies among our youth and drug users, with approximately 2 newborns per month from drug-using mothers entering state care. This stark reveals the consequences of limited family planning services and the urgent need to bridge this gap.

We aim to enhance family planning services through three core strategies:

• Universal Access to Family Planning: This includes providing a range of contraceptives and information on achieving pregnancy when desired, and infertility treatments. Through this, we aim to save a generation from neonatal complications due to unplanned pregnancies.
• Empowerment Through Knowledge: By educating and providing everyone access to comprehensive family planning services, we aim to empower individuals and couples to make informed decisions that elevate women’s autonomy and reinforce economic security.
• Advocacy for Evidence-Based Policies: Policies and programs that prioritizes reproductive health have economic benefits. With every dollar invested in contraception, we can save three in pregnancy-related care. (Guttmacher - UNFPA partner)

Under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Corporation Framework, UNFPA’s 7th country program prioritizes:

• Policy Advocacy: We aim to work alongside partners - including governments, to develop and advocate for policies and programs sensitive to family needs.
• Quality Enhancement: We strive to improve the quality of family planning services and expand its reach across the Maldives.
• Workplace Health Information: By integrating health information and services into the workplace, we hope to create a supportive environment for reproductive health decisions.

Change begins with a single step. Take that step with us today.