The number of women using contraceptives in developing countries has grown exponentially. This could lower global population projections, relieving pressures on food security and social infrastructure.
The evidence is in the numbers. In the 1970s, the UN estimated that only 36% of women between the ages of 15 to 49 were using traditional forms of family planning. Today, the average has skyrocketed to 64%,with women in Latin America & the Caribbean. Asia and Africa leading the way.
Why is this a big deal?
A rise in women’s contraception usage, worldwide, is a huge win for women’s empowerment that fuels their country’s overall economic growth. The quality of a woman’s life improves when they have access to contraception. They can determine when they want to start a family, and choose their family’s size. Women’s access to modern contraception correlates to higher educational attainment, a better paying job and a life that is substantially more likely to be free of poverty.
The health and wealth of the overall world also improves! The UN speculates that population growth will decrease dramatically, with projections for 2030 dropping from nine to eight billion people if the access to modern contraception continues to rise.
A6 Family planning & access to contraception must be a priority for women, esp. in crisis #IWD2016@GlobalMomsChallpic.twitter.com/Hp1c04L5xs
— IRC Intl Rescue Comm (@theIRC) March 8, 2016
Why has this taken so long?
Margaret Sanger’s patent for birth control was approved in the 1950s and was available for women in the 1960s. Even earlier that that, the modern day condom was invented in 1912. Shouldn’t there have been universal access to modern contraception years ago?
Stigma blocks universal access:
The stigma surrounding sex and contraception is still strong. Awareness and education are large hurdles to universal usage of birth contro. There wasn’t always an International Condom Day, a day used to increase awareness and knowledge on proper contraception usage worldwide. (FYI the nextInternational Condom Day is February 14th 2017, get pumped!) Further, religion and culture in many places are still huge barriers to modern contraception and sexual health education.
#WorldCondomDay: Foundation advocates responsible sexual, reproductive health https://t.co/Q4rSEWs7tg via #Naija247news#srhr
— Love Matters Africa (@lovemafrica) February 24, 2016
For example, in parts of Pakistan, a women’s access to sexual and reproductive education is deemed unnecessary because the culture is patriarchal, male dominated. In Argentina, a mostly Catholic country, access to sexual and reproductive health services is often looked upon as a sin. Modern contraception goes against strict Catholic religious doctrine(or at least some interpretations of that doctrine).
Last September, world leaders promised to ensure universal access to family planning by 2030. They need support. https://t.co/jt6ipf1W9Q
— Andrea Wojnar Diagne (@DiagneAndrea) March 8, 2016
Culture and religion can paint a grim backdrop to women trying to move forward, but, like the numbers show, there have been huge improvements.
Credit is due to the local, and world, leaders who have pushed against cultural, religious, financial and educational barriers to contraception. These efforts must continue to ensure a world full of healthy empowered women who can effectively plan their families and lives.