“Despite commitments to the program of action for the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and MDG 5 (focused on maternal and reproductive health), little progress has been made in improving access to family planning and slowing rapid population growth in Africa. Lack of political will has been highlighted among the key factors behind the lackluster performance in addressing these ‘sensitive’ development issues. However, the situation is changing with some African governments embracing family planning as a key tool for improving child and maternal health, slowing population growth and preserving the environment, and enhancing broader efforts to alleviate poverty.”
