Alex Bullen
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Brig. James Dak, the deputy South Sudan Police Spokesperson, speaking during the closing of the three-day workshop on developing a human rights-based approach to family planning (photo: The City Review).
The Deputy National Police Spokesperson, Brig. James Dak lamented that the country’s socio-cultural factors in decisions related to fertility among most communities hinder the adoption of family planning.
Brig. Dak who was speaking at the three-day workshop’s conclusion on creating a family planning strategy based on human rights said the nation’s taboos still deny women and girls the ability to use family planning.
“Family planning is critical for every nation. But in our situation, the promotion of family planning is being challenged by traditional sexual norms and conceptions that influence decisions about fertility, particularly among Nilotic populations,” he said.
For him, developing a human rights-based approach to family planning is important, but much more remains to be done before all women and girls can exercise their rights.
“Change is inevitable, but it will only occur when people are made aware of family planning and allowed to take charge of the process at the local level,” Dak added.
He urged the partners to carry on advocating for funding to increase awareness at the local level.
Catherine Jurua, the Director for Gender-GBV at the Ministry of Health, said improving access to sexual and reproductive health remains a public health challenge.
She said that although there are many challenges, it is important for partners to come together to advocate for success in the country.
“You know, before the CPA agreement, it was only 7 per cent of those who could access family planning, but now the percentage has gone up to 29 per cent, which is a great change,” he said.
Ms. Catherine believed that with time, people will understand why family planning is important for a family.
The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Health with support from UNFPA and the IRC.
According to the Ministry of Health, South Sudan has one of the highest MMRs in the world with a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 1,223/100,000 live births.
This report added that the problem is largely caused by the country’s restricted access to reproductive healthcare.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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