Advocacy and Policy Resources
Family Planning Advocacy Through Religious Leaders
CCIH worked with the Christian Health Association of Kenya, the Churches Health Association of Zambia and the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network to develop this easy-to-use step-by-step guide to train religious leaders to advocate in their own countries for family planning support and services. The guide covers how to develop an advocacy plan, how faith-based organizations can develop trainings for religious leaders, how they can monitor and evaluate the success of their efforts, and more. It is available in English and French. See a full page of Resources related to the Guide
Family Planning Advocacy Messages for Religious Leaders
These messages were developed in collaboration with religious leaders in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia working with the Christian Health Association of Kenya, the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network and the Churches Health Association of Zambia. The messages include scripture supporting healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies, health statistics supporting planning pregnancies and the benefits of family planning for families, communities and entire nations. See the Messages
Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancies Aligns with Christian Values
This fact sheet, released in July 2018, explores the relationship between Christianity and healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies (also known as HTSP and Family Planning.) It features evidence of the impact of HTSP on the health of children and includes Christian pastors who educate their congregations on family planning to protect their health. See Fact Sheet
Family Planning Advocacy Fact Sheet
CCIH produced this document entitled: “Think you know where Christians stand on Family Planning? Think again!” It is a fact sheet on the benefits of family planning and reproductive health, challenging misconceptions and miseducation. It has been translated into a number of languages (see below.)
Kiswahili: Je, Unafikiri Unajua Mahali Wakristo Wana Simama Kuhusu Uzazi Wa Mpango? Fikiri Tena!
Religious Leader Statement of Commitment to Family Planning
Twenty Religious Leaders signed this joint statement expressing their support for family planning and healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies at the Annual General Meeting of the Christian Health Association of Kenya in April, 2018. The leaders are from a variety of Christian denominations, but all share the common belief that the health of mothers and children is vital, and the ability to plan, time and space pregnancies saves lives and improves family and community health and well-being. See the religious leaders expressing support for family planning and reviewing advocacy accomplishments at the meeting.
Family Planning Advocacy Toolkit
This toolkit was released by the Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project at Johns Hopkins University in July 2013. It contains information and tools to help advocates, donors, policy makers, champions, program managers and others share the message of the importance of family planning as a critical strategy in improving maternal and child health. CCIH’s primary contribution to the toolkit was the inclusion of resources to help advocates work with religious leaders and strengthen the capacity of those faith leaders to reach their communities with important messages on family planning.
Church Positions on Family Planning in Kenya and Zambia
The Christian Health Association of Kenya and the Churches Health Association of Zambia collected positions on family planning from a number of their member church institutions. The positions include a statement on what family planning means to the church, what methods they support, and how they share information about family planning with their congregations.
Kenyan Church Positions on Family Planning
Zambian Church Positions on Family Planning
Advocacy and Terminology
World Health and Population: An article by CCIH staff and members explores family planning terminology and its relation to advocacy.