FIELD ADVOCACY

Addressing public health issues such as adolescent reproductive health or the HIV/AIDS pandemic requires a comprehensive understanding of the problem and a sound policy approach. Strengthening clinical services, training health care personnel, increasing public awareness, and developing prevention programs are all issues that must be addressed.  Yet policymakers in many developing countries lack the resources and information they need to tackle even the most basic public health issue.

Pathfinder supports the efforts of host-country governments, legislatures, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in creating family planning and reproductive health policies. As legislators and governments begin to deal with critical national issues such as maternal health or adolescent reproductive health, Pathfinder works with them to create opportunities for greater citizen participation in the decision-making process. We may also work with them to build their internal capacity to analyze existing policies or conduct public outreach campaigns. All of our advocacy programs involve an element of community empowerment and the promotion of human rights and gender equality.

Developing a Sustainable Policy Framework

Pathfinder focuses on bringing a new level of reproductive health awareness to host governments, many of whom are formulating first-ever public health policies. An important part of informed policy development is sharing accurate, up-to-date information. To this end we provide research data, encourage the formation of legislative committees on reproductive health, and support a formal process to invite citizen input through public forums and hearings.

Examples of Pathfinder's policy efforts with host governments:

• Through the Women's and Girl's Empowerment Project in Ethiopia, Pathfinder works in collaboration with the National Committee of Traditional Practices of Ethiopia (NCTPE), to provide educational and consulting services to the Parliament and Women's Associations of Ethiopia.  These programs focus on developing a national policy against female genital cutting and other harmful traditional practices such as early marriage and abduction.
  
• In Peru, Pathfinder provided newly-elected legislators with critical information on the status of family planning and reproductive health care throughout the country. Pathfinder collaborates extensively with local organizations to advocate for sexual and reproductive rights in Peru.

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