Population policy in Bangladesh: A review of ten priority areas

One of the most important factors contributing to the success of Bangladesh’s FP-MCH Program in recent years has been the strong support provided at the policy level by all the governments of Bangladesh since independence. This has given the government confidence and supported the development of a coherent set of policies at the implementation level. However, the success of policies at one stage in the development of a family planning (FP) program carries with it the need for changes in policy to support the program at the next stage. In Bangladesh, if the nation is to attain the demographic goals important to survival, it must adapt its policies to attract larger numbers of users through better service structures, stronger teamwork, and cooperation both within government and between the government and NGOs, and ultimately through higher quality service for clients. The Population Council and URC (Bangladesh) have been collaborating since 1992, and the present report in draft form was instrumental in determining the long-term policy issues now being addressed by the National Steering Committee for Future Challenges in the FP-MCH Program