Voluntary family planning shows improvements in food security in Ethiopia

22 Feb 2023 --- A study published in Nutrients has demonstrated increased food security when voluntary parenthood planning is present in Ethiopia. It also found that women who received support from family members to plan their parenthood had a higher level of food security than those who were not supported or had access to family planning. 

The authors define food security as when everyone, at all times, has economic and physical access to safe and nutritious food to meet their daily nutritional needs. While a crucial part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, food insecurity still poses a threat in developing countries.

Family planning is a globally recommended strategy to ensure food security and facilitate economic development.

“However, more importantly, these problems arose from government failure to integrate and keep track of rural food production, storage, and distribution systems,” the study notes.

Family planning and malnutrition

The researchers argue that implementing voluntary family planning might help stabilize the fast-growing population, which will stabilize food security and decrease malnutrition.

In November last year, the world population reached 8 billion. According to Dr. Rachel Snow, chief of the population and development branch at the United Nations Population Fund, this is a great success as it shows an increase in overall health. However, Snow also pointed out that more resources are needed to feed the population.

Snow detailed that eight countries – the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the US – are predicted to be responsible for 50% of the population growth between now and 2050.

The researchers stress family planning being a “global and nationally recommended strategy to ensure food security of a nation and facilitate economic development, as it brings transformational benefits to women, families, communities and countries.”

They found that the longer family planning is utilized, the higher likelihood of households having better food security.

Women in Ethiopia
The use of contraceptives was determined by factors such as marital status, educational level, age and wealth index. 

The use of contraceptives remained very low on a national scale. One observation showed a higher likelihood of contraception use among urban women than rural women.

The findings suggest that increasing the number of children might increase food insecurity. Beyond being in charge of their procreation, women entering the labor force benefit the overall economy. It also “increases the socioeconomic power of the household,” increasing food security.

A global issue
Prior research points to these benefits observed in Ethiopia, and the researchers highlight the need for political commitment and resources.The study highlights the need for political commitment and resources.

“Programs should consider policy dialogue to encourage the integration of family planning, food security policies, strategies, action plans, and programs throughout the world, particularly in Asia and Africa,” the study notes.

Another critical factor limiting women’s access to planned parenthood is cultural views, and the study says that 10.9% of the women not on contraceptives based their decision on religious reasonings.

Last year, the US supreme court reversed Roe v. Wade, meaning what used to be a constitutional right to have an abortion was removed. Recent studies also showed a high level of food insecurity in the US, and it has been referred to as “a threat to public health.”

Also, a recent study in the US revealed that as food security increased, cognitive decline among the elderly decreased.

By Beatrice Wihlander