In a major step toward reproductive health reform, a state-level workshop titled "Empowering Women Through Family Planning" was held at Hotel Renaissance, Lucknow. Organized by Mamta Health Institute for Mother and Child with support from the Gates Foundation, the event brought together senior policymakers and experts to push for interdepartmental convergence in family planning strategies across UP.

Principal Secretary (Health) Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma emphasized, “Family planning must be a foundation for holistic development, not just population control,” pointing to the Shravasti model for its integrated success in health, education, and women's empowerment.

His counterpart in the Women Welfare Department, Leena Johri, added, “It’s not ‘you’ and ‘me’, but ‘we’ that will bring lasting change.” The conference focused on enhancing family planning outreach in districts with high Total Fertility Rate (TFR), unmet needs, and low Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR).

Strategic sessions covered infertility, evolving FP technologies, and the impact of climate change on maternal and child health. Notable speakers included Dr. Sushma Singh (Director General, Family Welfare), Prof. Sujata Dev (KGMU), and representatives from WHO, UNICEF, and NPCCHH. District-level innovations from Shravasti were showcased, especially its proactive community-based health delivery model.

Information on reproductive health:

• Family Planning is linked to women’s education, nutrition, and empowerment

• Climate change has direct implications on maternal and child health

• District innovations like Shravasti’s integrated model can be replicated

• Interdepartmental synergy is essential for sustainable outcomes