International Family Planning: Christian Actions and Attitudes

Recommendations to International Organizations for Partnering with CCIH Members
and other FBOs
Given the broad consensus among these diverse Christian organizations on the importance of
family planning for international health, it is likely these survey results will generally apply to
other Christian FBOs working in international health. International organizations wanting to
strengthen FBOs to improve FP education, services and supply systems should consider the
following factors for partnering with CCIH members:
1. CCIH member networks or institutions working in poor countries are frequently eager to
respond to a large unmet need for FP information, services and supplies.
2. FBOs will have variable approaches that are consistent with their religious teachings and
values.
3. A single FBO may work differently in different countries, and sometimes differently between
regions within the same country.
4. Terminology is important, and many FBOs need to be explicit and clear about definitions of
“family planning”, “reproductive health” and “contraception”.
5. Be prepared to address mechanisms of action for various contraceptive methods, particularly
the IUD, giving evidence for prevention of fertilization.
6. Some FBOs may request information and training for their own leadership, donors and
constituents, about the need for FP as a health measure and a part of comprehensive care that
includes child health, postpartum and postabortion services, and HIV/AIDS (prevention,
care, testing, and preventing mother-to-child transmission).
7. Some FBOs will want to take ownership of FP as a health measure, driven from within their
organization, rather than being seen as externally driven.
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