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More than one-fourth of the world’s population and 40% of
the world’s poor live in SEARO’s 11 member countries. Although the total
fertility rate in this region was in decline, for the most part it has
stagnated and there is still substantial scope for improvements to meet the
needs of women who wish to delay, space or limit their births. Desired number
of children is commonly higher than replacement level fertility, and even
then unmet need for family planning continues to be great.
WHO/SEARO’s approach to addressing the family planning
needs of its member states is guided by the Plan of Action of the
International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), and the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Family planning saves and improves lives
by preventing unwanted pregnancy and its consequences, while helping meet
women’s and men’s needs. Avoiding unintended pregnancies through the use of
contraception prevents maternal and infant deaths, helps prevent unsafe abortion,
and enables women to limit births to their healthiest childbearing years.
Family planning offers more choices to women, helping address gender-based
inequities, and can encourage adoption of safer sexual behaviour, through the
promotion of condoms for dual protection (prevention of pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections including HIV).
Family planning is also an investment in overall
development. Slower population growth helps protect the environment and
contributes to sustainable socio-economic development not only for
individuals, but also for society in general. Population growth is directly
associated with education, economic development, women’s rights, quality of
care, and access to services. Unfortunately, population growth in the SEA region
continues to outpace the ability of health services to meet existing demands.
Until population growth has been stabilized, services in SEAR member
countries will continue to fall short of the needs of the population.
While SEAR governments have committed to improving the
survival of women and children and enhancing overall sexual and reproductive
health, it is important to translate goals into actions. By working on family
planning in SEAR countries, FCH at WHO contributes to achieving these goals. We
provide:
 technical assistance;
advocacy;
guidance for adaptation and implementation of
up-to-date evidence-based family planning standards, norms and tools; and
facilitate the sharing of lessons learned and
best practices.
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