Master Coach Training organized by TCI in July, attended by Secretary PWD Hafeezullah Abbasi
Since launching in Sindh in September 2022, The Challenge Initiative (TCI) has been working to strengthen family planning interventions through capacity building of medical staff and community awareness sessions during Family Health Days. Early in implementation, it was observed that discussions on pregnancy, gynecology, and obstetrics were widely regarded as “women-only” topics. Male engagement in family planning awareness and conversations was almost entirely absent.
Recognizing this critical gap, TCI placed a special focus on engaging men, particularly during the development of Master Coaches. Customized sessions, carefully designed with emotional and relatable storytelling, were created to resonate with men and encourage active participation.
Mr. Khubaib Kyani, Gender & Youth Specialist, brought his extensive expertise and experience to the forefront, delivering sessions that drew attention to gender equality and women’s empowerment. These sessions directly challenged patriarchal norms and highlighted how the lack of educational and knowledge opportunities for women holds back entire families. He underscored the ripple effects of neglecting birth spacing and the nutritional needs of pregnant women, effects that can impact generations.
An advocacy plan was developed, integrating dedicated male engagement sessions as a mandatory part of training. Facility-level advocates ensured these sessions were included in high-impact interventions like Whole Site Orientation.
The persistent efforts of TCI led to tangible change. One initiative introduced male-specific service counters at health facilities in Rawalpindi, which were later replicated in other locations under the directives of local government leadership.
Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister for Health & Population in Sindh, participates in a local FP2030 meeting.
Inspired by these results, the Honorable Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister for Health & Population in Sindh, issued a notice in July that directed local governments to establish dedicated areas for male counseling on family planning, complete with the necessary facilities.
This milestone was made possible through continuous advocacy, including the participation of secretaries from the Population Welfare and Health Departments in Master Coach Workshops, where they witnessed firsthand the value of male engagement in family planning.
As a result of this sustained collaboration, both the Departments of Health and Population Welfare have committed to institutionalizing male engagement. By October 2025, health facilities across Sindh will feature dedicated male counseling spaces, appropriately named “Autaq,” ensuring men have a culturally appropriate and welcoming environment to seek family planning information and services.
This institutional change not only marks a significant policy shift but also paves the way for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to family planning, where men are no longer bystanders but active partners in building healthier families and communities.
