Jaipur, 8 June 2025: Tangible changes are now visible in the area of family planning in Rajasthan. The state’s total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 2.4 to 2.0, marking a significant milestone towards reaching the replacement level. The use of modern contraceptive methods (mCPR) has also seen a notable increase—reaching 62.1%, indicating that couples are becoming more aware and proactive about family planning. (Source: NFHS-5)
This critical data was shared during a media workshop held at the Jaipur Press Club, organized by the ‘Vikalp’ project. The workshop aimed to provide media representatives with insights into evolving behaviors and priorities around family planning and maternal health, especially in rural Rajasthan, so that these issues can be communicated to the wider public with greater sensitivity and accuracy.
Mr. Surendra Singh Shekhawat, Project Director, Family Welfare Department, Government of Rajasthan, shared that more women are now adopting temporary contraceptive methods. Among women with parity 0–1 (those with no children or one child), the use of any modern contraceptive method increased from 18.6% (NFHS-4) to 35.3% (NFHS-5). The use of temporary and reversible methods has also risen, now reaching 19.5% (NFHS-5), showing a growing preference among women for temporary solutions before considering permanent ones.
Dr. Suman Mittal, retired professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SMS Hospital, Jaipur, explained that if newly married couples delay the first pregnancy by two years and maintain a gap of at least three years between children, it significantly improves maternal health and helps reduce maternal mortality.
The Vikalp project acts as a technical partner to the government. It works to deliver accurate information about the range of family planning options available under the national program through community-level platforms such as door-to-door counseling, Saas-Bahu (mother-in-law–daughter-in-law) meetings, and Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs). These efforts aim to help young couples and their families make informed decisions based on complete knowledge.
Arun Nair, State Project Director for Vikalp, shared during the workshop that when couples delay the first childbirth, it allows mothers to become physically and mentally prepared for pregnancy. Similarly, spacing between children gives the mother time to recover, reduces health risks, strengthens the emotional bond with the first child, and allows better caregiving. This is not only essential for the health of both mother and child but is also a crucial step toward strengthening the overall well-being of the entire family.
The project focuses on improving the quality of family planning services in rural areas of the state. Service providers at Primary Health Centers and Sub-Health Centers are being trained in value clarification and attitude transformation (VCAT) to deliver more sensitive and women-centered services. Community-level awareness is also being strengthened through government-run platforms like Saas-Bahu meetings and VHSNDs.
In addition, the Vikalp project has launched a free ‘Sakhi’ helpline (Toll-Free No. 1800 202 5862) that provides information and counseling on temporary contraceptive methods. The helpline is available from 8 AM to 8 PM and offers confidential, simple-language support through trained advisors.
Thanks to these government-led initiatives, newly married couples and those with one child are now empowered to make decisions around delaying pregnancies and spacing between children. Increased awareness about methods like the Antara injection, contraceptive pills, IUCDs, and condoms is helping women become physically, mentally, and financially ready for motherhood. This is improving maternal and child health and strengthening the overall status of families.
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