Joining Forces: Family Planning Global Assembly
The Joining Forces: Family Planning Global Assembly, held as a side event within the XXIV FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics on 10 October 2023, brought together leading experts and organisations in women’s health from across the globe.
This event was organised under the aegis of FIGO's Committee on Contraception, with support from Bayer, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Family Planning 2030, Jhpiego, USAID, and the Momentum Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics Project.
Dr Aparna Sridhar, representing FIGO’s Committee on Contraception, expertly moderated the event, highlighting the pivotal role of contraception in women's lives. She emphasized that contraception is not only a life-saving measure but also a transformative force, significantly reducing maternal mortality worldwide by averting unplanned pregnancies and enabling safe birth spacing.
The event consisted of two informative panels. The first panel underscored the importance of integrating contraception into pregnancy and post-pregnancy care. Dr Allisyn Moran from the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Anita Gibson from Jhpiego along with Dr. Jeffrey Smith from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, expertly elucidated the progress being made in this realm. (Photographed in the above image.)
The second panel delved into FIGO's current and future endeavors in the field of contraception. Dr James Kiare and Dr. Rita Kabra from WHO, alongside Dr Samukeliso Dube from Family Planning 2030, shed light on topics related to adolescent health, post-pregnancy care and the commitment of countries and regional societies in the field of Family Planning.
The event highlighted a significant collaborative effort, particularly the global convening that took place in Dar Es Salaam in June 2023. This collaboration, involving USAID and the Momentum Safe Surgery in Family Planning, focused on advancing postpartum and post-abortion family planning within the context of universal health coverage. A clear and actionable call to action was shared during this event by Ms Vandana Tripathi, emphasizing the commitment of all participants to further the cause of family planning and maternal health worldwide.
The side event was concluded by FIGO’s leaders Professor Dame Lesley Regan and Dr Anne Kihara and they promised continued commitment of FIGO’s effort in this direction. It was well attended by many internationally recognised leaders in maternal health family planning.