FPAN passes proposal to amend its statute

KATHMANDU: The special general assembly of Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) has passed a proposal to amend some points in the statute.

The meeting also discussed the future course of action of the FPAN. Presidents of 28 districts, office-bearers and members of the central working committee participated in the meeting.

On the occasion, FPAN’s President Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha pointed out the need for collective efforts to make the organization self-reliant. Executive Director of the FPAN, Dr Praveen Shakya briefed the gathering about the various programmes being run by the Association, stated a press release issued by the FPAN.

Similarly, Treasurer Nirman Kumar Shrestha and member Kamala Sapkota stressed the need to run the organizations in a sustainable and efficient manner by seeking support from donor agencies.

The organization, a pioneer in sexual and reproductive health and family planning service providers, was established in 2016 BS at the initiative and activism of senior social worker Dwarika Devi Thakurani.

Presently the FPAN is providing its services to the communities in 350 municipalities and rural municipalities through its service centers in 31 districts. It has been providing information on sexual and reproductive health and accessible and quality services, especially to disadvantaged, minority, marginalized and vulnerable communities.

More than 80 percent of the service providers of the association belong to the same community. It may be noted that the Ministry of Health and Population in 2014 had decided to celebrate September 18 as National Family Planning Day every year with reference to the September 18, 1959 when the family planning programme was launched in Nepal.

The FPAN has charted out a new strategic plan for the year 2023 to 2028. These include family planning, planning as well as person-centered services, initiative in sexuality education, solidarity for change, institutional professional development and sustainability.

The main objective of the strategy is to extend the sexual and reproductive health and rights programs based on these pillars for the next five years to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals set by the government.