The Mayer Hashi Family Planning Project

The Mayer Hashi Family Planning Project in Bangladesh (MH-II), a follow-on project of Mayer Hashi—is an Associate Award under the global RESPOND Project. MH-II aims to support the national family planning and maternal health programs for “Increased Use of Effective Family Planning and Reproductive Health (RH) Services in Bangladesh”. The overall objective of MH-II is to increase use of effective FP and reproductive health services, with a focus on the informed and voluntary use of long-acting reversible contraceptives, and permanent methods.

Meridian supports the Mayer-Hashi II project in its Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC), private sector, and workplace initiatives.  These activities focus on increasing demand for RH/FP services in private for-profit facilities, NGOs, as well as workplace initiatives.  Much of this work focuses on strengthening supply- and demand-side linkages and ensuring that SBCC activities are closely linked to service delivery outcomes.  For example, focusing PPFP demand-generation activities in facilities where trained post-partum providers exist, including support for increasing visibility of available services at the specific site as well as implementing targeted demand-creation activities in surrounding catchment areas.  For private sector facilities, the project supports increased visibility and promotion of on-site services as well as capacity building in interpersonal communication.

Meridian also supports MH-II in advocacy for workplace initiatives to integrate RH/FP information and services, supporting the Bangladesh Garment and Manufacturing Export Association and its members. This program has been implemented in selected RMG factories, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) health centers, and non-governmental organization (NGO) clinics to generate demand and provide FP information and methods to workers.

In 2016, Meridian conducted a policy assessment and advocacy strategy for the garment and manufacturing industry.  The purpose of the assessment was to develop a strategy to advocate for and develop policy changes that can improve access of workers to family planning products and services, including long-acting methods, in the factory and in the community.

This three-year project, supported by USAID, is led by Engender health in partnership with Meridian Group International Inc., Future Institute and Population Council.