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GENDER DIMENSION IN THE USE OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES

 CHAPTER ONE:  INTRODUCTION

1.1.   Background to the Study.

The developed economies of the world have advanced in the goal of achieving a balance between population growth rate and economic resources. In view of this, measures have been taken which include family planning, sex education, among others in controlling such growth. The major aim borne in mind towards effecting this policy is the general standard of living of citizen. To this effect, modern family planning method in addition to natural family planning mode have been developed and improved upon in the recent past.

Family planning has become an important population issue of many countries. It is considered as part of national population/health policies or programmes. Inspite of the hue and cry in and outside Nigeria about family planning or birth control, many people are still confused about its meaning, the method involve, advantages and disadvantages and the factors hindering its wide application in Nigeria. Improving reproductive health is central to achieving the sustainable Development Goals.(SDGS) on improving maternal health, reducing child mortality eradicating extreme poverty, promoting gender equality and empowering women to have access to safe and effective methods of fertility control. The promotion of family planning so that men and women can avoid unwanted pregnancy is central to the world health organization (WHO) work on improving maternal health and core to achieving the S.D.G.S (Cleland Bernstein, Ezeh, FaundersGlasier and Inms 2006).

The decision of when or even whether to have children is a human right that all people must enjoy. The 2016 total fertility in Nigeria is 5.13% from 5.89% recorded previously. (Cia world factbook 2016) women are usually socially and economically dependent on their husbands, this may have contributed to Nigeria becoming a country in Africa with the Fastest population growth averaging 5.2 births per women and with attendant high maternal and child mortality (Ijadunola et al, 2010)

.Furthermore, rapid population growth make it difficult for the Nigerian economy to create enough jobs particularly for women and youths of life large numbers of people out of poverty maintain healthy living condition and protect the environment (Ityai, 2000, world population Data Sheet, 2013). This underscores the need to step up family planning practices in Nigerian which is presently affected by gender imbalance as a result of non involvement of men.

The World Health Organization (2001) defined family planning as the practice that helps individuals or couples to attain certain objectives such as avoiding unwanted pregnancies bringing about unwanted babies at the right time regulating the interval between pregnancies, controlling the time at which birth occurs in relation to the ages of the parents and determing the number of children in the family.