Review Health Gender & SRH

Enhancing Family Planning in the Pacific Islands - A Mid-Term Review of the Kiribati Family Health Project

Kiribati Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa 2023

01°20′N 173°02′E

Reviewing the Kiribati Healthy Families Project through site visits, interviews and focus groups in South and North Tarawa.

The challenge

Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (SWA, previously Family Planning NZ) and the Kiribati Family Health Association (KFHA) are working together on the Kiribati Healthy Families Project, which aims to reduce sexually transmissible infections and unplanned pregnancies and to enhance the sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) of people in South Tarawa and six outer islands. Begun in 2012, the project is now in its third phase, with funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Manatū Aorere.

What we did

The third phase of the project, spanning 2020 to 2025, was reviewed by Future Partners, commissioned by SWA.
The mid-term review sought to determine whether project goals align with the needs of beneficiaries and national priorities; measure progress against set outputs and outcomes; evaluate the efficiency of resource use; and recommend changes to maximise positive impacts on family planning and health.

How we worked

Review Methodology: Between August and October 2023, Kirsty Burnett and Dr Elisabeth Poppelwell conducted a review which included site visits, interviews with over 70 stakeholders in South and North Tarawa, and focus groups with government officials, development partners, nurse trainees, and youth volunteers, and church and community leaders. To foster open dialogue and respect local customs, the team involved Dr Mireta Noere, a local consultant, who facilitated discussions in I-Kiribati.

Outcomes

Benefits for partners and stakeholders The insights from the mid-term review are very useful for SWA, KFHA, and their partners. The review’s findings will guide evidence-based enhancements for the remaining project period, focusing on better management, implementation, achievement of activities that support capacity development, service delivery, and the enabling environment.

Client feedback “Kirsty and Elisabeth from Future Partners were an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team to undertake our mid-term review. Their experience in the development sector, coupled with local knowledge and an understanding of the Kiribati context made them ideal for reviewing our project and providing relevant and valuable analysis and recommendations.” – Family Planning NZ “ We had a good experience with Future Partners while they were in Kiribati, and we’re hoping to see them showcase the great work and relationships we’ve built with the island development councils and the traditional leaders in the outer islands. We highly value the support of the Government of New Zealand through Family Planning New Zealand in supporting the provision of high quality SRHR services, information and programs to marginalised communities on the mainland and six outer islands.” - Kiribati Family Health Association

Enhancing Family Planning in the Pacific Islands - A Mid-Term Review of the Kiribati Family Health Project

The challenge

What we did

How we worked

Outcomes

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