Media Contact:
Christina Cherel | Johns Hopkins University | ccherel@jhu.edu
Lilongwe, Malawi – The Family Planning News Network (FPNN) is headed to Lilongwe, Malawi from May 22nd to May 26th, 2024 for the first inaugural FPNN reporting trip. This trip is possible through partnership with the 2025 International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP), W. H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health (WHGI) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Ntha Foundation based in Lilongwe, to showcase the transformative power of family planning and reproductive health investments across Malawi.
Family Planning News Network (FPNN) is designed to increase local and regional reporting on family planning, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and connected development issues. It provides the platform and an extensive global audience and is designed to support young reporters and established journalists alike who are engaged in localised, regional media advocacy efforts on topics related to reproductive health and family planning.
The 2024 FPNN Reporting Trip will introduce the selected reporters to powerful stories, influential community leaders, and new ways of looking at key research and data that showcase the power of access to quality family planning and reproductive health products and services. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts, community leaders, and innovative projects in and around Malawi’s capital city of Lilongwe
This Exemplars in Global Health article highlights Malawi’s success in doubling the rate of modern contraceptive use compared to sub-Saharan Africa, significantly improving women’s health and socioeconomic wellbeing. Despite challenges, such as rural distribution and reaching adolescents, Malawi has made various contraceptive choices available nationwide, including self-injectables and long-acting reversible contraceptives. This success, driven by government commitment and innovative strategies, underscores the transformative impact of family planning investments, making Malawi’s experience invaluable for journalists participating in the FPNN reporting trip in Lilongwe as they advocate for reproductive health and rights globally.
Highlights of the 2024 FPNN Reporting Trip in Malawi include:
- Interviews & Networking: Participants will have the chance to connect with experts, fellow journalists, community leaders, and those served by these FP/SRHR programs to gain deeper insights into the impact of reproductive health investments.
- FP/SRHR Story Generation: Attendees will attend key briefings on new data and regional policies, as well as learn about innovative solutions that will generate impactful stories on family planning and sexual and reproductive health.
- Community/Partner Spotlights: The trip will include visits to local programs and initiatives that will showcase innovations, key learnings, and successes within the family planning and SRHR arena in Malawi.
“This reporting trip presents a unique opportunity for journalists to delve first-hand into the stories and experiences shaping the landscape of family planning and sexual and reproductive health in Africa and see how Malawi is improving the lives of women and girls, and in turn the country’s economic prosperity, by providing them with access to the family planning products and services for which they are asking,” said Kellie Welborn, Director of the Secretariat for the 2025 International Conference on Family Planning and Senior Program Officer at the W. H. Gates Sr. Institute. ICFP made history last month announcing that Bogotá, Colombia will host the 2025 convening of over 4,000 family planning and sexual and reproductive health professionals in Latin America for the first time.
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Want to partner on or fund one of our programmes / initiatives? We are always open to collaborations and partnerships. Contact our Business Development Associate; Ms. Abigail Zingani via contact@kwathucentre.org, or give us a call(direct or WhatsApp) on +265991850749.
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