Improving Reproductive Health through Operational Policy Reform

Harry Cross, Futures Group International
Norine Jewell, Futures Group International
Karen Hardee, Futures Group International

National reproductive health (RH) policies provide the broad vision for the action of governments, and set forth the priorities and roles of different groups. Moving from national policies to local programs requires the implementation of operational policies which, in turn, influences services. Operational policies are the rules, regulations, codes, guidelines, and administrative norms that governments use to translate national laws and policies into programs and services. The consequences of faulty operational policies are found in every clinic, health post and hospital. This paper shows that RH initiatives must include attention to the policy roots of operational barriers and also to show workable ways to address operational policy issues. The paper defines operational barriers and related policies that constrain implementation of RH initiatives. Finally, we discuss a methodology for addressing operational barriers through policy reform and include examples of activities that have been undertaken to address operational policy barriers.