Lessons on Family Planning Accountability Programming Action 2020 Programme (2015)

This paper details learning and insights from Action2020’s inception phase in 2015. The programme aimed to contribute to the achievement of the global goal of reaching 120 million women and girls with voluntary family planning by the year 2020, ensuring full, free and informed family planning choice for everyone, by holding governments to account for their Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) commitments. These reflections flow from the political economy context analyses and theories of change that were developed by Action2020 in ten countriesii and lead us to make recommendations for future family planning accountability programming.

Significant evidence already shows the value of social accountability in improving services for the poorest and most marginalised, however there is relatively less experience and evidence of FP accountability programmes. The Action2020 programme sought to fill this gap and contribute to understanding multiple levels of accountability, mobilising citizens for change and understanding the complex power and political dynamics within government and amongst service providers. This takes us beyond simple dichotomies which pervade the field (eg. supply and demand, voice and responsiveness) to build new knowledge on how to build cross-cutting accountability coalitions that link civil society actors, media, champions inside government, researchers, and others across boundaries. This programme sought to demonstrate that dual approach.

Discuss

Your name