The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Iraq, in partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Health and with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has launched a national Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) campaign on family planning. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of family planning, encourage informed and voluntary decision-making, and improve access to reliable health information and services across Iraq.

The campaign targets couples, young women and men, healthcare providers, and local communities through a comprehensive package of media and awareness-raising activities. These include awareness videos, digital content across social media platforms, podcasts, educational materials, and nationwide digital outreach campaigns.

The campaign seeks to enhance understanding of family planning concepts, address common misconceptions, and provide accurate, evidence-based information to support individuals and couples in making informed decisions about their reproductive health and the future of their families.

Family planning is a cornerstone of reproductive health. It contributes to improved maternal and child health, promotes healthy birth spacing, reduces health risks associated with closely spaced pregnancies, supports women’s empowerment, and helps improve the overall quality of life of families and communities.

The campaign comes at a time when Iraq continues to experience sustained population growth. According to the results of the recent Population and Housing Census, Iraq’s population has surpassed 46 million people, underscoring the importance of investing in health, education, and essential services to achieve sustainable development and improve the well-being of current and future generations.

National studies indicate that family planning contributes to better maternal and child health outcomes, supports healthy birth spacing, and enables families to plan more effectively for their future in accordance with their circumstances and needs.

Dr. Riyadh Abdul Amir Al-Halfi, Director General of the Public Health Directorate at the Iraqi Ministry of Health, stated:
"The Ministry of Health is committed to providing the quality information and health services necessary to enable individuals and families to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. This campaign represents an important step towards enhancing public awareness of family planning, correcting misconceptions, and encouraging the use of available health services, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes for women, children, and families as a whole."