'No more than two children, one is better': Family planning campaign starts 1 Dec

Bangladesh's family planning programme, once a role model for least-developed countries, is losing momentum as the fertility rate rises and contraceptive use declines. Against this backdrop, the government is set to launch a year-long campaign from 1 December to revitalise the programme.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is likely to inaugurate the nationwide campaign, which will run until 30 November 2027.

Highlights: TBS

Bangladesh's extensive family planning efforts helped reduce the average number of children born to a woman from 6.3 in 1975 to 2.3 by 2012. But the total fertility rate has risen to 2.4, while the contraceptive prevalence rate has fallen from 62.7% to 58.2%, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics' Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025.

At a press briefing today (7 October), Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain said the government is launching the campaign from 1 December in response to the worrying trend.

The campaign slogan is: "No more than two children, one is even better." It will begin at the primary level, with the slogan promoted through jari and sari songs, sports and other activities.

"Necessary family planning commodities and services will also be made available to people," the minister said.

Prof Mohammad Mainul Islam of Dhaka University told TBS that the prolonged slowdown in family planning activities is already reflected in rising fertility, declining contraceptive use and increasing unintended pregnancies.

"Therefore, alongside awareness campaigns, the government must ensure the supply of contraceptives and access to family planning services," he said.

Contraceptive shortages disrupt services

Officials of the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) said contraceptive procurement was halted in July 2024 after the Fifth Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme was not approved and the interim government withdrew from the sector programme, causing major supply disruptions.

DGFP provides nearly 28 types of contraceptives free of charge, including condoms, oral pills, IUDs, injectables and implants. But with procurement suspended for more than two years, stocks have fallen sharply at many upazila and field levels.

According to the family planning directorate's Supply Chain Management Portal, as of 7 October, condoms – the most widely used contraceptive – were out of stock in 198 upazilas. Oral pills were unavailable in 354 upazilas and IUDs in 428.

DGFP Director General Dr Jinnat Rehana told TBS that contraceptive supplies and field-level awareness activities had been disrupted over the past two years after the previous "operation plan" was discontinued, weakening door-to-door services.

Procurement of contraceptives under the project is nearing completion, with field-level distribution expected to begin by December.

"We are receiving the supplies. Now we need to inform people that contraceptives are available again—where they can get them and how. That's why we will launch a nationwide campaign," Jinnat Rehana said.

She said a recent survey found that population growth had increased more than expected. In rural areas, many women were reluctant to buy contraceptives from the market when they could not obtain them free or at affordable prices at government healthcare facilities.

Disruptions to awareness programmes during the Covid-19 pandemic and rising child marriage have also hampered family planning efforts, she said.

37% staff shortage hampers services

Staff shortages are another major challenge, particularly a lack of Family Welfare Assistants, who provide door-to-door services.

"We have a staff shortage of around 37%. There is a lack of nearly 19,000–20,000 staff from the required workforce. If a worker has to cover too many households, even visiting each household once every two months becomes difficult," Jinnat Rehana said.

However, efforts are underway to provide services with the existing workforce, she said.

Targeted campaigns needed

DU Prof Mainul Islam said awareness campaigns should be complemented by targeted initiatives for vulnerable and specific population groups.

Separate measures are needed for people who have experienced unintended pregnancies, cannot access family planning methods, or live in areas facing shortages of service providers and manpower.

"Campaigns are useful, but their benefits will be limited if services are unavailable," he said.

Urban areas, particularly those with rapidly growing migrant populations, have also long been relatively neglected in family planning programmes and need dedicated services, he said.

The country's unmet need for family planning has already increased despite a target to reduce it to zero by 2030.