In order to improve family planning services around the world and increase its access by an additional 120 million women in developing countries, these countries must first commit to making a wide range of improvements in their current family planning agendas.

At the London Summit on Family Planning this week we heard from a wide range of developing countries that are making new, actionable commitments to increase family planning services and commodities in their countries. Below are some of the commitments made on Wednesday from developing countries in attendance.

Ethiopia

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyeseus, Minister of Health, Ethiopia (seen above):

“Inaction is no longer an option.”

Building upon its commitments first laid out at the Child Survival Summit by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyeseus Ethiopia has committed to building a women’s center to improve the health of women and girls in every village. Ethiopia also plans to increase contraceptive use by 25% by 2016. Ethiopia understands that investments in women and girls means commitments to a country’s development and future. That said, Ethiopia wants to be a middle income country by 2022. They will also be increasing family planning commodities throughout the country.

“It’s not what we promise today, but what we do when we get back home.” – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyeseus 

Zambia

Dr. Joseph Katema, Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health for Zambia

Zambia gave a commitment to increase access to family planning from 33% to 58%. Zambia will also reach out to religious leaders to help spread the word about family planning. Family planning commodity costs will be increased by 100% from existing donors and partnerships.

Indonesia

Indonesia will include family planning in its universal health insurance program beginning in 2014. They will also increase financing for family planning and highlight its upcoming global youth forum.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone will work to make family planning openly acceptable. They aim to break down misconceptions meaning they have committed to launching a country-wide mass communication campaign to educate its people about family planning. Sierra Leone will dramatically improve family planning supply chain efforts and create mobile outreach clinics.

The Philippines

The Philippines believes, like all these countries, that family planning and contraceptives is a fundamental right. The Philippines will spend $50 million for the purchase of family planning commodities for an estimated 800,000 poor women in its country.

India

India recognizes that family planning is a key priority. $13 billion dollars of India’s money has already been committed to family planning and to strengthen health systems in the country. India will make family planning services free.