Lagos, August 2016 - Development Communications Network, DevComs, with support from Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative, NURHI, trained media personalities on the need for Effective Reporting of Family Planning. The series of training which were carried out in Lagos, Oyo and Kaduna States in June, July and August 2016 hosted reporters, broadcasters, presenters and producers from print, radio, television and online media .
The training came up to address the need for the media to be adequately informed about Family Planning and equipped with skills to report effectively on the issue. Family Planning is an effective strategy for curbing the worrisome maternal deaths recorded in Nigeria. The National Demographic Health Survey, NDHS, of 2013 showed that 576 women of reproductive age died in 100,000 live births from preventable pregnancies complications. Research has found that Family Planning can curb maternal deaths by up to 40%. Countries with high contraceptive prevalence rates have been found to record much less maternal deaths compared with those with low contraceptive prevalence rates that record much higher maternal deaths.

The organizers took journalists, broadcasters, producers and online journalists through plenaries, group sessions, role plays, and case studies on topics which included cultural and religious context of family planning; Family Planning methods, benefits and possible side effects; Research findings on Family Planning in project sites (Lagos, Oyo and Kaduna), policy environment for Family Planning,  Family Planning as a tool for sustainable development; Media involvement in Maternal and child health issues and story/programme idea development .
Facilitators at the event included Reproductive Health experts, Family Planning advocates, and media experts.