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Family Planning-Why are we still struggling?

By Dildar Muhammad

The importance of family planning cannot be ignored in modern era. As the world is becoming global village, resources are becoming scarce with a rise in human population. Developed countries of the globe are enjoying their resources because in those countries every body has equal access to modern days’ facilities. It is due to their control over population. On the other hand, the population of Pakistan is mounting each year. Between 1951 and 2004, Pakistan’s population grew from 34 million to 167 million, a 400% increase in approximately two generations (Hamid & Stephenson, 2006). According to one estimate, population will be doubled during the next 50 years (Qiaser, 2005). “In 1950 Pakistan was a pioneer among developing countries in supporting family planning activities” (Ali, Rozi & Mehmood, 2004). However, after passing 60 years we are unable to control over population. We are still fighting to control our population, why are we still struggling? This article highlights barriers to family planning, the consequences arising from these barriers and some strategies to overcome these barriers.

There are numerous obstacles to family planning in Pakistani society. Firstly, low access to modern day family planning facilities is a significant hindrance. In Pakistan there are very few family planning centers where women can go and avail the family planning facilities. If there are a few resources, these are only limited to the urban areas. Second important factor is the lack of awareness about family planning. It is due to low literacy rate in our country especially in women. This lack of awareness includes lack of information about different methods of family planning and the availability of contraceptives. Thirdly, most of the people have misconceptions about family planning. Some of the misconceptions are like the use of contraceptive causes women to become infertile for the whole life, it causes cancers, and it decreases libido in women who are using contraceptives etc. All these rumors are spread by people who are against family planning. Beside these reasons; there are some other reasons like lack of motivation and husband’s opposition to use any contraceptive. A husband disapproval of contraceptive use depend upon many factors like, desire of another child especially male child if already have female children, husband’s belief and other reasons like lack of awareness . (Casterline, Sattar & Haque, 2001). Like wise most people consider it culturally unacceptable to use contraceptives.

The horrific consequences arising from an incline in population grisly affect every aspect of life i.e. socioeconomic, environmental and psychological and health. This boost in population has shoddier effects on individuals, families, the whole nation, country and even the world. Considering families, all parents want to nourish and educate their children under the best possible circumstances. It would certainly be very difficult in this age of inflation to brought up and educate more than two children. It is the reason that most of the children remain uneducated and become objects of extreme exploitation like child labor, child trafficking and child abuse. Moreover, an increase in population also has shocking effects on health. Maternal and child mortality and morbidity rate also increase with more pregnancies. After age 35 years pregnancy is associated with increased risk to mother and child health. In Pakistan approximately 20,000 deaths result each year from complications during pregnancy and child birth (Cowal, 2006). Furthermore in our country people are migrating each year from rural areas to urban areas like Karachi, Lahore and other cities. This shift increases burden on the cities. In addition to it, population increase has negative effects on global ecology. With a rise in human population and excessive use of natural resources to meet the requirement of population has caused depletion of natural resources. Modern day industrialization has devastatingly polluted the air, water and land. What is more is that an increase in population is also associated with poverty. In underdeveloped countries of the world like Pakistan where family planning is not effective, most of the people are living a life below poverty line. Similarly, lack of resources, illiteracy, and unemployment all can cause psychological disturbances even suicidal attempts. In Pakistan suicide rate is higher due to poverty. In a broader view all these are the result of an increase in our population and lack of resources.

Different strategies are obligatory to control the population and achieve an effective family planning. From an individual to society and then as a whole nation we have the responsibilities. Increasing awareness about family planning is the first objective to accomplish for an effective family planning. This could be done through mass media, print and electronic media and through different campaigns at community levels especially in rural and remote areas. In this regard the government efforts are appreciable but these needs to be strengthened more. Similarly the government is also responsible to provide cost effective high quality family planning services to all the citizens. For this purpose there should be more family planning centers especially in rural areas so that all citizens have access to modern day contraceptives. Moreover, government should also improve quality of existing services. In addition to it, local elders should also be included in the campaign because they have great influence over a great segment of population. Furthermore, those non governmental organizations (NGOs) which are working for family planning, they should be supported by the government. Lastly, misconceptions of the people about family planning should be removed through awareness and reproductive and sexual education should also be included in the curriculum.

In conclusion there are numerous obstacles to family planning like lack of awareness and misconceptions, lack of access to contraceptives, cultural sanctions and health concerns etc. Dreadful consequences can arise from lack of an effective family planning and a raise in population affecting social, environmental, psychological health of a person, family and the whole nation. Different strategies are obligatory at individual, community and government level to achieve an effective family planning.