The role of family planning in achieving sustainable development goals in Pakistan: good health, wellbeing and gender equality

Abstract

Pakistan is ranked as one of the lowest ones for performing poor on health indicators. Being the fifth most populous country with limited resources, it is high time for Pakistan to work on population area. Unlike some developing countries where the knowledge about modern contraceptive methods is found to be minimal among community members, Pakistan has almost 99% knowledge rate of modern contraceptive methods. Such data shows that the lack of knowledge about contraceptives is not a major factor which contributes to the lesser contraceptive prevalence rate. To study this phenomenon, this research papers seeks to explore the major determinants of family planning, trends of family planning, and how investing in family planning leads to achieve sustainable development goals of good health, wellbeing, and gender equality in Pakistan. For this study, primary data was collected from two districts of Pakistan through employing qualitative research methods.  Secondary data was also used in the discussion of the study. The findings contend that contraceptive prevalence rate does not only contribute to tackle high population problem, but it also affects other health indicators such as infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, under five mortality and abortion rate. Family planning programs help ensuring gender equality component by providing an opportunity to women to participate in decision making process regarding their sexual and reproductive health. The endeavors of government, private and non-profit organizations have resulted in relatively increasing the demand of family planning but there is a long way for Pakistan to increase the uptake in an absolute term.