Strengthening Family Planning Policies and Programs in Developing Countries: An Advocacy Toolkit POLICY (January 2006)  Full Document (English)      Order for free      email to me  Family planning remains one of the most cost-effective public health measures available in developing countries. Use of family planning is associated with lower rates of maternal and infant mortality and can influence economic growth. It is an essential component in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS and in adolescent reproductive healthcare programs, and it can play a role in improving gender equity. Expanding access to and improving the quality of family planning programs around the world is central to improving and maintaining the health of individuals and societies and helping them reach their full potential. The purpose of this toolkit is to assist advocates in the family planning/reproductive health fi eld in their efforts to promote policy dialogue on the health, social, and economic benefi ts of increasing access to family planning services. By tailoring the messages included in the toolkit, advocates can present culturally relevant arguments to promote family planning and birth spacing in their particular settings.