Health Policy Project Brief: Stewardship for FP2020 Goals

Despite having approved family planning policies, many countries face significant challenges in implementing them. Ministries of health are responsible for fostering effective policy implementation, yet putting policies into practice is challenging, and policy implementation is often weak. The process of moving from policy to action is a dynamic, iterative process that unfolds differently in different contexts. It comprises four broad stages: problem identification, policy formulation, policy implementation, and policy monitoring. Navigating the process successfully requires skillful stewardship in managing elements such as data analysis and use, resource mobilization, and action planning. Many factors can hinder policy implementation, including policy barriers, inadequate resources, and health system challenges. Ministries of health can take a leadership role in coordinating a broad range of stakeholders, both within and outside government, to ensure successful development and implementation of family planning policies and programs. This can be achieved by coordinating with external actors, notifying the minister of health and other high-level policymakers, and soliciting feedback to create joint ownership. Ministries of health can also institutionalize relationships by leading discrete efforts such as family planning technical working groups and contraceptive security committees. Costed implementation plans (CIPs) for family planning can provide countries with a road map for achieving FP2020 goals and strengthen implementation of family planning strategies and policies. CIPs can help secure political commitment and resources to achieve FP2020 goals by estimating the potential demographic and health impacts of family planning programs and the budgetary requirements for family planning program implementation. To date, 13 countries have launched detailed CIPs for family planning. Policy monitoring allows ministries of health to track policy implementation and effectiveness in the complex policy landscape. Policy monitoring can identify barriers to implementation and factors to improve effectiveness, such as promoting accountability and fostering equity and quality. Assessing the mechanisms, resources, and relationships that move family planning from policy to action enables ministries of health to adapt their implementation strategies or undertake policy change to reflect realities on the ground.