The Target-Free Approach: An Overview

Abstract

In 1996 the Government of India initiated the Target-Free Approach (TFA) in family planning as a result of dissatisfaction with over-emphasis on demographic targets, leading to a numbers game, insensitivity to client needs, low demographic impact, violation of reproductive rights, neglect of the quality aspect, and stagnation of the programme. The process and the results of implementation, as documented in vari ous reports, have been analysed to learn lessons from the pilot and the expanded programmes. There were periodical reverses, and the implementation has been un even. The following factors are critical for the success of the TFA: Commitment of the top bureaucratic leadership; political, administrative and academic support; lo cal adaptation of the approach; effective communication and training; thorough assessment of the clients' needs; effective monitoring and evasion systems; and mobi lisation of community support.