PATH family planning and reproductive health work featured at International Conference on Family Planning

PATH's work in family planning and reproductive health will be highlighted at the fourth International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) in Nusa Dua, Indonesia, January 25-28. PATH staff will take part in multiple panels, presentations, and events; and share their latest work–as well as learn from other conference attendees–in a collective goal to support and help strengthen global family planning efforts and access.

Over 200 million women in developing countries are estimated to have unmet reproductive health needs. These are women who do not want to become pregnant but are not using modern family planning methods. Furthermore, within the next decade, a record number of adolescents will be entering reproductive age, requiring access and knowledge on topics as varied as family planning methods to how to achieve healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies. These young women will also need access to menstrual care and hygiene. To address these needs, PATH is committed to improving sexual and reproductive health by enhancing commitment and capacity to implement appropriate and effective interventions at scale.

On January 26, PATH will share progress developing market research in several countries in the oral presentation "Health systems and market research in India and South Africa: implications for SILCS Diaphragm introduction." PATH helped to develop the SILCS Diaphragm, a single-size silicone contraceptive barrier designed to expand women's options for nonhormonal protection. Marketed as the Caya® contoured diaphragm, this diaphragm recently launched in markets across the world and expanded contraceptive choices for women.

At a conference panel on January 26, Jane Hutchings, program leader of PATH's Reproductive Health Program, will moderate a panel with other PATH staff discussing "Myths and misconceptions about contraception: The need for an evidence-based approach."

On January 27, PATH Zambia Country Director, Dr. Nanthalile Mugala will highlight PATH's role in advocating for supportive family planning policies and funding in the presentation "Sustained advocacy for policy change: Achieving new national guidelines for community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives in Zambia."

Several panels include technologies PATH helped to develop such as the Woman's Condom, a woman-initiated contraceptive option that is hormone-free, provides dual protection, and can be used without seeing a health provider; and Sayana® Press, an all-in-one product that combines the Depo-Provera® contraceptive and needle together in the PATH-developed Uniject™ injection device.

In all, PATH staff will take part in seven panels, five individual abstract presentations, four poster presentations, and seven side events that highlight our work to advance family planning technologies, menstrual hygiene, and total market access approaches that ensure full choice, equity, and expand community access to contraceptives for women and adolescents.

The January 2016 ICFP's theme is "Global Commitments, Local Actions," and is co-hosted by the National Population and Family Planning Board of Indonesia and the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health. Key speakers from around the globe will give presentations, including Indonesian leadership known for their strong commitment to family planning programs. This year's conference keynote presentation will be given by Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

New this year is a partnership with FP2020, a knowledge platform resource that will curate and make available all presentations to maximize and strengthen the reach of knowledge exchanged, research disseminated, and connections made during the conference.

For a full list of PATH's participation please view our activities, the ICFP plenary, and program online.

Join the online conversation and follow the conference hashtags #ICFP2016 and #FPVoices.

• International Conference on Family Planning 2016.
• Our work on Sayana® Press in the Uniject™ injection system.
• Our work on the Woman's Condom.
• Our work on the SILCS diaphragm.
• Our work on advocacy and policy.
• Our work developing total market approaches to contraceptive services.
• Our work on menstrual health.

Posted January 15, 2016.