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Nabil K. Alsoufi, MD, Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, Yemen, 415-771-3605, nabilalsoufi@yahoo.com

During the past fifteen years, Yemen has faced major hurdles in implementing its reproductive health and family planning programs (RH&FP). To improve the country's RH&FP indicators, Yemen adopted two National Population Policies: in 1991 and in 2001, but those policies did not achieve their stated goals. The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the barriers that prevent RH&FP programs in Yemen from achieving their objectives. Key informant interviews were conducted with eighteen leaders from governmental, non-governmental, and international institutions involved in RH&FP in Yemen. Analysis of the data plus a literature review revealed the following: 1) Yemen has sound RH&FP policies, but program design and implementation present significant challenges; 2) a major barrier of gender inequality and the traditionally secondary status of Yemeni women; 3) accountability and management issues; 4) ineffective health promotion and awareness-raising methods; and 5) challenges with collaboration and coordination. To address these barriers and achieve better outcomes, the Yemeni Government needs to put greater emphasis on program design and implementation; institute policies that empower women and girls; and address accountability and management challenges.

Learning Objectives: