MORE ought to be done to address the “unmet” needs of family planning in Guyana.

This is the conviction of Mrs Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, Executive Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), who told the Chronicle in an invited comment that the community-based family planning initiative that was launched this week at the Regency Suites hotel would definitely aid in this regard.

That initiative was launched by the GRPA, in collaboration with Women Across Differences (WAD), Help and Shelter, the Anglican Diocese (on behalf of faith-based communities), and Artistes In Direct Support (AIDS), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

“Family planning is an important issue for this country,” Mrs Sheerattan-Bisnauth told this publication. “There is still a big gap in family planning education and in having access to contraceptives, so we are rolling out this project with the intention of addressing this unmet need,” she disclosed.

“So far, the CMO gave the contraceptive rate in Guyana as 43, while we should be 75. So there is quite a large gap,” she informed. “So it means we still need that kind of community-based programme, because some people, because of poverty and lack of access, don’t go to health centres,” Mrs Sheerattan-Bisnauth posited.

The project would train community family planning facilitators, who would also be offering family planning counselling.

“We have the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy for Latin America and the Caribbean. The project will address women who are not on a plan and who need information. It’s about having that ability to make a choice whether or not you want to be pregnant, and also to be prepared for motherhood and fatherhood,” she explained.

The GRPA Head said: “Some people have problems with contraceptives; and instead of sorting it out, they come up with their own ideas. We want to provide the correct kind of information, so they can then make a decision. Hopefully, the project leads to people having less unwanted children and a lower rate of abortion.”

Mrs Sheerattan-Bisnauth said the initiative also seeks to address cultural barriers, and dispel myths regarding family planning. It will increase access to services and resources to rural and urban communities in Regions 2, 3 4, 5 and 6.

This includes training of community family planning facilitators; health workers and professionals attached to community health centres; faith-based organisations; youth, men, women and other community stakeholders, including local government representatives.

The initiative seeks to address the situation of a high rate of maternal mortality and morbidity, as well as the prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Guyana.
Through this initiative, women, men and youth would be enabled to develop a comprehensive approach to family planning, and be empowered to make wise choices regarding their future and present situations, thereby having a chance to live more meaningful and productive lives.

GRPA would also soon be rolling out a programme on age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education to address the problems of teenage pregnancy and sexual violence affecting adolescents and youths.
Written By Telesha Ramnarine