PSI India Supports Government Efforts for World Contraception Day 2025 Across Five States

On WCD, we emphasize the importance of family planning in building healthier communities. Improving contraceptive awareness and access reduces unintended pregnancies and strengthens maternal and child health. It also promotes gender equality and sustainable development. Let us break barriers and support informed choices for a more empowered future.”

PSI India teams across five states- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, through The Challenge Initiative India, BMGF Family Planning, and Newer Contraceptive Projects, worked closely with state and district authorities to plan and implement WCD activities. These planning meetings ensured adequate contraceptive supplies, finalized communication strategies, and aligned activities with the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (Healthy Woman, Empowered Family Campaign), a Government of India initiative held from September 17 to October 2 to empower women and strengthen families through better health.

Under the capacity-building efforts, PSI India supported Health & Wellness Centers by coaching staff on client-centered counselling, method-specific knowledge, and ensuring informed choice. Refresher sessions for hospital staff emphasized focussing on postpartum and post-abortion contraception.

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) were reoriented to identify eligible couples, provide information on basket of choice and make timely referrals to appropriate health facilities.

To support counselling, PSI India developed an innovative Family Planning SPIN Wheel in Hindi to dispel myths in a simple, engaging, and interactive way. The tool was appreciated by state officials and displayed prominently at health facilities to spark meaningful conversations.

On the main event day, 26th September, district-level inaugurations saw participation from Ministers, District Magistrates, senior health officials, community representatives, and development partners. Health facilities showcased the “Basket of Choice,” set up attractive family planning corners, and creatively displayed IEC materials and contraceptives to engage clients.

Group meetings at health facilities created opportunities for open dialogue, allowing service providers to address concerns about side effects and correct common myths about contraceptive methods. PSI India also supported health facilities in organizing special Fixed-Day Static services on WCD, ensuring wider access to both short-acting and long-acting methods.

Male engagement was prioritized, with service providers and ASHAs counselling eligible men on condoms, No-Scalpel Vasectomy, and shared family planning responsibility. School-based orientations further equipped adolescents with essential knowledge on reproductive health and contraception.

Through these coordinated efforts, PSI India supported the government in strengthening community awareness, acceptance and access of modern contraceptive methods, contributing to healthier and more empowered families across the five states.