Rebeca, our Maternal Child Health Program Assistant, leading workshops
Spring is an exciting time for our Family Planning Champions (FPC) project -- now is when our FPC team selects ten women to join the program and become equipped with reproductive health information and receive access to subsidized contraception. Once the women complete their trainings, they take what they have learned and lead workshops in their communities, to make family planning information available to more women.
This year, for the first time, our FPC project has expanded into the municipality of San Lucas Toliman. All ten women, or champions, for 2017 are from rural communities throughout San Lucas. “We are very excited about this expansion and to empower women in new places, but the process of finding the ten champions was difficult,” explained Vilma Mendoza, the FPC Project Manager.
This year, for the first time, our FPC project has expanded into the municipality of San Lucas Toliman. All ten women, or champions, for 2017 are from rural communities throughout San Lucas. “We are very excited about this expansion and to empower women in new places, but the process of finding the ten champions was difficult,” explained Vilma Mendoza, the FPC Project Manager.
New champions in San Lucas
Vilma added, “We found that initially, many women did not want to participate. Trainings on reproductive health, or even speaking about family planning in public, is still very taboo in some places.” There are a lot of myths surrounding sexual health and contraception, so without education, this false information continues to spread.
When faced with these challenges, the FPC team sought the help of the Office on Women’s Issues in San Lucas, which was very receptive to the FPC project. With their help, we found ten champions who are open and excited to learn.
When faced with these challenges, the FPC team sought the help of the Office on Women’s Issues in San Lucas, which was very receptive to the FPC project. With their help, we found ten champions who are open and excited to learn.
Valesca, the newest champion, taking notes during the workshop
The FPC workshops officially began on March 23, and our Pueblo a Pueblo team will travel to San Lucas every week for the next two months during this intensive training period. Then, beginning in May, the champions will begin to lead their own workshops in the communities, continuing the cycle of empowerment and knowledge.
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