Women, choices, and family planning in south Asian nations: A comparative look

Delving into the National Family Planning Programs of select South-Asian countries, this paper will analyze using extensive literature and review the trajectories, impact, and challenges of each program. The countries studied are - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal - owing to their similar lower-middle income status and shared socio-cultural history. The analysis will look into contraceptive use-trends, variation across the countries, change in rationale of policy focus and the prevalence of these methods - all within the ambit of the national policy. Historical data will also be employed to compare and contrast the impact of each program. The shared past of the region features relentless efforts to control population growth, high dependence on temporary methods, and high maternal and infant mortality. Therefore, considering that these programs have depended heavily on women’s initiatives and bodies, this analysis will throw light on the gender dependence of these programs. While offering conceptual data-based policy recommendations.