Who we are

ABOUT US

Family Planning Association of India (FPA India), is a voluntary non-governmental organization working for sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, including the marginalized, excluded, and young people.

In 1947, when India became independent, fertility was high with couples averaging six children. The population was burgeoning, public health facilities were minimal and life expectancy was low. Having too many children and too soon was becoming detrimental to women's health. A group of concerned women decided to address the issue. It resulted in the establishment of the Family Planning Association of India (FPA India) in 1949.

FPA India was instrumental in advocating for family planning to be introduced in the country's first Five Year Plan (1952). Thus, India became the first country in the world to have a family planning programme.

Over the years, the programmes of the Association have evolved to cover a wide range of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights issues encompassing contraception, safe abortion, safe motherhood, adolescent reproductive and sexual health, child health, prevention and mitigation of gender-based violence (GBV), prevention and management of sexually transmitted, and reproductive tract infections, cancers, non-communicable diseases, and addressing sub-fertility.

Through its various programmes, FPA India reaches a population of more than 30 million annually, on an average, across Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Delhi

FPA India works with corporates, government agencies, civil society organisations, businesses, international donors and bilateral donors to deliver health services and information, build capacities and advocate for causes that support the community’s development and well-being.

In view of the Association’s commendable work, the Government of India issued a commemorative postal stamp in honor of FPA India’s 50th year of existence. The Mumbai GPO announced the launch of a special cover and MyStamp in honor of our Diamond Jubilee in 2024.

Family Planning Redefined

The ability to choose when or if to have children is fundamental to living a full and self-determined life.

FPA India recognizes the right of individuals to decide freely, to have, or not have children, and helps them access the necessary information and services to act upon the decision towards healthy timing and spacing of births, or management of sub-fertility.

Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children, if any, and to determine the spacing of their pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility.

FPA India supports the informed choice and voluntary decision-making of individuals and couples to use contraceptive methods for delaying, spacing, or limiting, their pregnancies, and provides them with access to treatment of sub-fertility, to attain their desired number of children.