Market Day is Family Planning Day for the Women of Enukweni Village

Mary Hlema, a 43-year-old mother from Enukweni village in Malawi, highlights the impact of family planning on her life. “It gives you enough space to allow kids to grow properly. When kids have followed each other very closely, it is difficult to manage them. But when they are spaced out, even when you are tied up with other tasks… the older ones can support you by taking care of the little one.”  

By using contraceptives, Hlema has effectively managed her family's size. She credits the health education lessons received at the Enukweni health facility's antenatal clinics for providing her the necessary information. Witnessing her mother's struggle to care for seven children inspired Hlema to choose a different path, ensuring that she could provide a better quality of life for her children. Hlema has four children. “Having fewer children ensures more food is available for every family member."

Enukweni Health Facility is one of the many public health facilities benefitting from USAID's support. The facility provides monthly family planning services to approximately 200 clients. The availability of USAID-funded contraceptives has enabled health workers at Enukweni to bring about positive and lasting changes in the lives of their clients. 

"When we have adequate and consistent supplies, we see a reduction in unwanted pregnancies. But when we experience stockouts, we have to turn back most of the women and adolescents. Soon after, the number of unintended pregnancies starts to rise," said Magdalene Chiwona, Senior Nurse and Midwife at Enukweni Health Facility. 

Since 2017, USAID has worked closely with Malawi’s Ministry of Health to ensure a consistent supply of family planning products throughout Malawi. The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program-Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project has procured and delivered over 13 million family planning products to more than 680 public health facilities and social marketing organizations across the country. By establishing a strategic system of commodity forecasting, supply planning, procurement, distribution, and spot checks, GHSC-PSM has provided access to family planning commodities for the past five years and continues to do so.