Strategic Plan Framework 2016-2019

FPAN Vision: All Nepalese people are free to make choices about their sexuality and wellbeing without any discrimination.

This strategy focuses on four outcomes.

Outcome 1: Nepal government respects, protects and fulfils sexual and reproductive rights and gender equality

Compared to many governments in the developing world Nepal government has been more flexible and adaptive to changing times. Curbing fertility through family planning was adopted by the government of Nepal as early as 1968; couples particularly women are encouraged to plan their family size by practicing birth control measures. Also as mentioned earlier abortion has been legalized. Consequently there is high degree of sexual and reproductive freedom in Nepal. Gender equality is also gaining ground in Nepal. The government of Nepal does respect sexual and reproductive rights and gender equality but still it needs to formulate more policies and enact laws to protect and fulfill sexual and reproductive rights and gender equality. Government high level strategies are needed to strengthen and expand efficient and cost effective service delivery in reaching out to more clients with more services in hard to reach locations where poor and vulnerable people reside. The strategies should include implementation of IPES in static and outreach services, ensuring quality of care, rights based programming, task shifting and sharing, comprehensive provision and integrated SRH services.

Outcome 2: Nepalese people empowered to act freely on their sexual and reproductive health and rights

Despite all positive trends on sexual and reproductive rights and gender equality fronts because of age old value system sexual and reproductive rights and gender equality need to be promoted and strengthened. Couples particularly the wife does not enjoy freedom of sexual rights and reproduction as she is under pressure to give birth to the desired number of children, desired by husband or in-laws or friends and neighbours. In addition she has to have the right sex composition of children. Girls are forced to get married early in age despite the fact the law prohibits marriage before 18. Similarly spacing cannot be done as desired by wife. FPAN is well recognized as a strong agency in addressing dominant social and gender norms and autonomy and agency through comprehensive sexuality education and positive messaging on SRHR and most importantly empowerment of women and young girls. FPAN will continue its social transformation approach to target the structural causes as well as the symptoms of gender inequality leading to a lasting change in the power relations and choices women have over their own lives. Many young populations still lack knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and rights and this is much more so in rural hinterlands.

Outcome 3: A high quality integrated sexual and reproductive health services delivered

In many parts of the country basic sexual and reproductive health services are not available let alone quality integrated sexual and reproductive health services. Therefore the health service delivery points need to be extensively improved to address quality integrated sexual and reproductive health services.

Outcome 4: A high performing, accountable and united Association

FPAN is a high performing, accountable and united association with its 30 branches and Central Office

The past evidences have proven that FPAN’s contributions in delivering SRHR are significant. Likewise, FPAN has also played vital advocacy role at national level for establishing favourable policies in regard to SRHR such as provision of safe abortion and inclusion of CSE in school curricula. The faster changing national and global environment has brought new opportunities as well as challenges to the organizations. FPAN should not ignore these challenges. It is known that FPAN is pioneer organization for SRHR, but it has to demonstrate lead role at national level as before. For this, FPAN needs dynamic leadership and efficient and tactful management. FPAN has about 8,000 volunteer members including general and life members throughout the country, however, the skilled FPAN needs professional volunteers from national level to district level. FPAN is committed to increase umber of professional and competent volunteers. At the same time it also organizes capacity building programs for its volunteers to enhance their skills and knowledge. Support of the competent and professional volunteers is crucial to achieve FPAN’s goals and objectives. FPAN has also been engaging SRHR champions throughout the countries through various channels. It has been expected that the initiative will contribute to generate collective voices for promotion of SRHR and empowering the women and youth as well. Though the current scenario reveals that both government and citizens of Nepal are positive and supportive towards the SRHR, still there are several issues to be fulfilled or addressed. The perception of the people in regard to SRHR is not uniform and the delivery of SRHR is not uniformly distributed due to various reasons. Some resistant and marginalized groups and communities still exist. The attitude of government policy makers, high level authorities and providers is not uniform. In this regard, FPAN needs to engage its own volunteers, national level SRHR activities and champions in favour of positive SRHR climate in the country.

The SRHR context has been shifting based on the political and socioeconomic environment and the progress towards the development issues at global and national level. Accordingly, UN organizations, national governments and the global SRHR communities (represented by international and national organizations, activities and right holders) are committed to address the SRHR in development agenda such as ICPD, MDG, SDG (post 2015) etc. The funding stream for SRHR at global and national level has been influenced by the global and national priorities and agendas. On the other hand we have our own commitments and responsibilities towards our target groups. Moreover, we have also to respect the expectations of our communities and partners. In this context, FPAN needs to be progressive towards the changing context and position itself as key SRHR representative of the country. To reach towards its strategic mission and goals, FPAN needs to make its structure and programs more efficient, people centred, dynamic and trustworthy. Moreover, FPAN needs to mobilise external and internal resources in-terms of monetary, intellectual, technical and moral support from the government, donor communities and partners. For this, FPAN will give more focus on good governance, transparency, dynamism, volunteerism and accountability.