No Surprise That The Economist Links Bangladesh Progress to Contraception

BY Cathy Solter | November 15, 2012

Last week The Economist launched a series exploring what they call "one of the most intriguing puzzles in development: Bangladesh." One of the first—and perhaps most important—points the series highlights is the focus on improving access to contraception. Bangladesh has had a unique transition where poverty reduction, reduction in inequalities, as well as better social and health outcomes were not a consequence of economic growth—which has been poor—but rather clearly tied to contraception.

At Pathfinder, we've known for decades that investing in contraception leads to key improvements in health, wellbeing, education, and more.This should come as no surprise, yet The Economist seems to paint the picture that it's unique. At Pathfinder, we've known for decades that investing in contraception leads to key improvements in health, wellbeing, education, and more. In fact, we've been seeing these outcomes in Bangladesh since we first began working there in the early 1950s with a grant to the country’s nascent family planning association. Since that time, through more than 35 projects, Pathfinder has played a key role in helping Bangladesh develop and integrate its national family planning and maternal and child health programs, reach underserved populations, improve quality of services, introduce cost-recovery measures, and build the capacity of more than 60 Bangladeshi partner NGOs through provision of technical assistance and grants.

In the early 1970s Bangladeshi women had an average of six children. Access to quality health services was poor and both maternal and infant mortality rates were high. The government of Bangladesh made a wise and courageous decision to create a national family planning program that focused on creating access to family planning by reaching women often secluded in their homes by the social norms of a patriarchal society. The program depended on thousands of female outreach workers who went door to door, providing information on family planning and offering contraceptive pills. In partnership with the Bangladeshi government, Pathfinder International was the first organization to offer the "door-step delivery" of injectable contraceptives in the late 1970s. At one time, Pathfinder, working through local NGOs fielded more than 7,000 female outreach workers. Today, Bangladeshi women have an average of 2.3 children and 52 percent of married women between the ages of 15-49 use a modern method of contraception. It's no surprise that there are now more girls in school, and more women in the workforce.

Country: Bangladesh
Focus Area: Contraception & Family Planning

Cathy Solter

Cathy Solter is Pathfinder International's Senior Fellow.

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agen bola May 3, 2013

At the onset, let us convey our heartiest greetings to you on behalf of ASHRAF FOUNDATION. It’s a Bangladesh NGO that works for the poor and deprived of the community since 1991. We work in the area of Livelihood development, sustainable agriculture, rights & good-governs, disability, health & sanitation, climate change, etc. Please note that we are mainly depended on the donor’s support to implement our development projects. ASHRAF FOUNDATION have been earned a reputation and assets like skill personnel & it potential beneficiaries members those who are more confident on ASHRAF FOUNDATION’s activities in the area. But we are not satisfied with this small coverage according to the needs of the enterable people of the area. We hope we may very much closer each other through a working relation regarding this and exchange various, skills, ideas experience as well as resource for near future. With the aim of seeking funding support the purpose perhaps we are working in the same region. Therefore, it would be our pleasure if you let us know whether there is any scope of funding support from your end. Waiting to read your nice reply and anticipating best cooperation in future.

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