Governments are additionally called on to give NGOs the technical help they need, and allow them access to information on family planning programmes, thus enabling them to monitor the progress of these programmes. Governments should also include NGO representatives in their national delegations to regional and international forums on population issues. Governments must involve women at all levels in carrying out the goals of the Programme of Action. Women know best what they need. Their needs should be addressed in development strategies as well as in population programmed.
Women are the linchpin of any such programme.
Research into effectiveness of reproductive health programmes must be improved. In the past, records were not always kept on continuation of use of contraceptives, for instance. Researchers sometimes assumed that women who accepted contraceptives is one clinic visit would continue to use them, but this has not always been the case. Unless the women were given good information about their choices, examined for sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive tract infections, and given good follow-up care, many would cease to use contraceptives if any problems developed. Others have been put off by clinic workers who seemed insensitive to their needs.