Family planning programs have an excellent opportunity to promote respect for women. Unfortunately, some programs have missed that opportunity perhaps because program personnel share widespread social attitudes that denigrate women, because a program focuses on enrolling more clients rather than meeting clients' needs, because personnel are simply not aware that courtesy is important, or because service providers have too little time for each client. Ensure informed choice. Programs that help women make their own informed choices about their fertility show respect for their clients' right and ability to make decisions. All personnel, no matter what their function, can act politely and in a respectful, friendly manner with all clients at all times.
Program managers can train staff to think of clients' needs and to communicate with clients.
Staff also can learn how to communicate respect. Managers can reward personnel who treat female clients respectfully. They can measure the success of programs and providers by client satisfaction rather than just by numbers of clients. Whether clients return for further services when needed also indicates whether they are satisfied. Improve staff morale.