DILI, 30 september 2022 (TATOLI) – Today, Timor-Leste launched National Family Planning Manual, aiming to enable individuals and couples to determine the number of children they would like to have through the spacing and timing of their births.
Family planning is an effort to assist families who wish to form a family between a man and a woman through the concept of responsible parenthood, intending to contribute to the healthy life and well-being of the family and the community.
Family planning aims to ensure that Timorese couples take care of their reproductive health and plan a healthy family, within the context of “responsible parenthood” and in an environment that promotes their own family, children, economy, education, and welfare, in peace and harmony.
The Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo said that Family planning helps to ensure healthy and prosperous Timorese families to live in peace and harmony.
“The launching of this family planning manual aims to assist all Timorese people, especially the couples and young people to determine the number of children they want to have to ensure healthier Timorese families,” Minister Belo made comments during the launch of the family planning manual at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Health, in Dili, today.
Family planning helps reduce poverty and contributes to economic growth and prosperity. It also Improves the family member’s educational opportunity, opening the way to employment and full participation in society.
Family Planning serves as a feasible practice and appropriate option to reduce maternal mortality.
Belo said family planning helps to reduce the number of abortion cases for mothers who have abortion risks: “In addition, it promotes the rights of mothers to decide their physical readiness for sexual relations with their spouse/husband.”
According to WHO, family planning is “the ability of individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. It is achieved through the use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of involuntary infertility.”
Family planning is a human right, as every individual and family has the basic right to be provided with and have access to the services, supplies, and information they need to plan their families.
The launching of family planning is not only a key intervention for improving health but also a key strategy for achieving Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan, 2011–2030.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
