Community Participation in Family Planning in Bangladesh: Prospects and Strategies

This paper analyzes community views concerning how to increase the effective community participation in the Bangladesh Family Planning Program (FPP) in order to make it sustainable and self-reliant. Study data was collected through literature review, focus group discussions and observations of selected successful programs. Several important observations about effective community participation in family planning include the need for political commitment of the government, integration of health and family planning services, and formation of local committees for monitoring, planning and evaluation are important. Findings also indicate that rewards should be offered for achieving family planning and maternal and child health targets.