On September 25th, the Long-acting and Reversible Contraceptives and Permanent Methods Community of Practice (CoP) became the Method Choice CoP — and held a technical consultation meeting to acknowledge the transition. Meeting attendees, gathered at the Human Rights Campaign offices in D.C. and viewing remotely, explored new data on method mix and choice, and learned from country experiences about what it takes to operationalize an environment where all individuals are freely able to choose a contraceptive method best suited to their lifestyle and reproductive desires.
Participants developed an understanding of what the data tell us about contraceptive method choice, where it is inadequate for doing so, and what opportunities exist for understanding method choice better. Global experts discussed the process of — and lessons from — introducing a new method and how it affects contraceptive choice at the country level. Those attending also recognized, extracted and reflected on major arguments in the pursuit of balancing efforts between investment in new contraceptive method development with making better use of the contraceptive methods already available. Participants left able to identify and recommend key priority technical areas of focus for the new Method Choice CoP.
To watch a recording of the event, click here.
To read the meeting report, click here.
Click on speaker names below to download their presentations:
Welcome and Opening
- Ellen Starbird, Director, Office of Population and Reproductive Health, USAID
- Trish MacDonald, Senior Technical Advisor, USAID
Data panel: What can data on contraceptive method availability and mix tell us about method choice?
Moderator:
Panelists:
- Emily Sonneveldt, Director, Track200, Avenir Health
- Michelle Weinberger, Senior Associate, Avenir Health
- Rebecca Callahan, Associate Directorr, FHI 360
- Scott Radloff, Senior Scientist and Technical Director PMA, Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Country panel: What does it take to introduce a new method and how does it affect contraceptive choice at country level?
Moderator:
- Martyn Smith, Managing Director, FP2020
Panelists:
- Aparna Jain, Deputy Technical Director, The Evidence Project, Population Council
- Gathari Ndirangu Gichuhi, Technical Director, Jhpiego
- Mengistu Asnake Kibret, Senior Country Director, COP, USAID Transform: Primary Health Care Project, Pathfinder International/Ethiopia
- Maryjane Lacoste, Senior Program Officer, Family Planning Service Delivery and Quality, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Debate: Do we need new contraceptive methods to ensure more choice?
Moderator:
- John W Townsend, Director, Country Strategy, Population Council
Debaters:
- Laneta Dorflinger, Distinguished Scientist and Director, FHI 360
- Roy Jacobstein, Global Technical Lead for FP, Intrahealth
Discussion: Shaping the Method Choice CoP Together
Panelists:
- Elaine Menotti, Senior Technical Advisor, USAID
- Rita Badiani, Project Director, E2A
- Fariyal Fikree, Senior Research Advisor, E2A
Closing
- Anne Pfitzer, Family Planning Technical Team Lead, MCSP
- Trish MacDonald, Senior Technical Advisor, USAID
