The Ipas Development Foundation (IDF) has worked since 2001 to improve sexual and reproductive health in India.
One of our latest projects helps young people make informed decisions about contraception and focuses on couples in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan who have either no children or one child.
“The Vikalp intervention helps people make voluntary and informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health. We also enhance the knowledge of providers to ensure that they provide quality contraceptive care for these women and couples,” says Junita Nirmal, the IDF Senior Specialist, Programs and Trainings.
Vikalp’s interventions are at all levels – state, district, facility and community. At the facility level, the project focuses on smaller healthcare facilities.
“This brings the services closer to the people who need it, as they don’t have to travel far for the service,” Nirmal adds.
“The Vikalp intervention helps people make voluntary and informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.”
Expanding the basket of contraceptive choices
The project also offers technical support to the government of India in piloting newer contraceptives, implants and Medroxy Progesterone Acetate – Subcutaneous (MPA-SC).
“In 2023, the Government of India introduced two new contraceptives—Subdermal Contraceptive Implant (Single Rod) and Medroxy Progesterone Acetate – Subcutaneous (MPA-SC)—to expand the “basket of choices” under the National Family Planning Program across 10 states, including Assam. IDF is offering technical assistance in piloting these contraceptives in Assam,” says Nirmal.
IDF is providing support for:
- Introduction and planning of a road map for the intervention
- Designing and implementing the customized Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities for creating uptake of the new methods
- Training and mentoring of service providers
- Strengthening logistics and supply chain management, quality service provisioning, recording, and reporting to increase data visibility