UNFPA and the Ministry of Health and Population work to ensure access to reproductive health and family planning services for the most vulnerable in remote areas, as well as combat the spread of misinformation about family planning methods, under the EU Support to Egypt’s National Population Strategy project.

To that end, the Ministry of Health and Population’s Family Planning Sector and UNFPA, held a series of awareness-raising seminars at nine different Women Health Clubs in the Western Desert governorate of New Valley, funded by the European Union.

Throughout November 8-10, over 100 women attended nine seminars to raise awareness on the health benefits of birth spacing and family planning methods for mothers and their babies, as well as for the family and society overall.

The seminars also opted to dispel misconceptions and rumors about the use of family planning methods, with the participation of religious leaders to address religious misconceptions. The seminars were held as part of the Your Right to Plan campaign, taking place around the country, offering free family planning counseling and services, including free contraceptives through fixed and mobile clinics, public and central hospitals, and maternal and child health centers.

This comes as part of the EU Support to Egypt’s National Population Strategy project, which aims to increase the use of voluntary, rights-based family planning, with the support of an EU-grant of €27 Million, in cooperation with UNFPA and the Ministry of Health and Population.