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Macro-level Operational Barriers to Family Planning Services in Ethiopia : Taxation and Importation of Contraceptives and the Role of NGOs

The family planning system in Ethiopia is hugely dependent on donors for contraceptives. Although the government has a supportive policy toward fertility reduction, the family planning system is highly entangled with macro- level operational barriers that have compromised the provision of effective family planning services in the country. These barriers have further fueled the inaccessibility of contraceptives in Ethiopia, where unmet need for family planning stands at 36 percent, or equivalent to 3.2 million currently married who are in need of family planning services. Therefore, to expand access to family planning services and mitigate unmet need, all potential avenues that enhance the availability and accessibility of family planning services must be explored. The smooth importation of contraceptives and increased participation of the private sector and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are cases in point to be encouraged to increase effective provision of family planning services in Ethiopia.