The Advance Family Planning (AFP) initiative is increasing its advocacy efforts in India this year, expanding into a new state and pursuing national-level advocacy through the private sector. The India offices of Jhpiego and Pathfinder International will join as AFP’s local partners to support this expansion, which results from a recent supplement award.

Jhpiego will advocate for programmatic and policy changes in the state of Jharkhand to improve access to quality, voluntary family planning services. Initially, efforts will focus on the Ranchi and Bokaro districts.

Pathfinder will focus on unlocking new funds for much-needed family planning programs—the private sector.

Jhpiego and Pathfinder join AFP’s other local partner, Population Foundation of India, in working to meetIndia’s Family Planning 2020 commitment. PFI currently leads AFP’s efforts in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states. Pathfinder International and Jhpiego also partner with AFP in Nigeria and Kenya, respectively.