FHM Engage Presents Poster on Pakistan’s Family Planning Youth Gap at the 24th Annual Population Research Conference

FHM Engage Pakistan Program Manager Sonia Surani participated in the two-day, 24th Annual Population Research Conference that was held in collaboration with the Population Association of Pakistan in Lahore, Pakistan. This year's theme, "Healthy Families and Communities in a Changing Society - The Role of Family Planning," drew a diverse audience including government representatives, donors, development partners, young leaders, and academia. Technical discussions underscored the pressing need to revitalize family planning education and methods. The consensus highlighted the importance of engaging youth, adolescents, and men, integrating family planning into healthcare services as pivotal strategies for catalyzing positive change.

Sonia presented a poster on behalf of FHM Engage on “Addressing the ‘Youth’ Gap in the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey through a Youth-led Digital Survey,” which aligned with ongoing discussions emphasizing the significance of youth involvement to enhance the family planning landscape. Sonia noted that, “It reinforced my belief in the relevance of our direction, deeply immersed in the work of youth inclusion, and in considering the rights and voices of marginalized populations within our ongoing youth-led digital survey.” Sonia also noted she was proud to witness three of FHM Engage co-investigators, namely, Mr. Waqar Ali – CEO of the School of Leadership, Joshua Dilawar – Founder of the Institute of Social and Youth Development (ISYD), and Aradhiya Khan, a trans-rights activist from Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA), serving as panelists and speakers in their distinguished capacities. Their presence validated our commitment to including the right partners and stakeholders for the survey.