A New Zealand delegation has presented a new report on family planning to the Kiribati Minister of Health.

The report, Investment in Family Planning in Kiribati: a cost-benefit analysis, is a study we undertook as part of the Healthy Families Project in Kiribati.

The study found that the Government of Kiribati could save up to AUD$18.8 million in health and education expenditure over 15 years by investing in family planning.

The New Zealand delegation was led by Hon Murray McCully, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. They were treated to a performance by the Kiribati Family Health Association’s peer educators as they presented the new report.

The peer educators are a group pf 20 youth volunteers who often use drama as a way of conveying messages about sexual and reproductive health and rights. They displayed their skills by incorporating dance and drama into the presentation of the report, to the admiration of those in attendance.

In addition to the NZ delegation, the performance was also observed by a delegation from the European Union and Kiribati Members of Parliament.