Family Planning and Modern Contraception

Voluntary family planning and modern contraceptives can change lives and whole communities. Contraception allows individuals and couples to anticipate and attain their desired number of children, space the timing of births, and protects the health of birthing folks and newborns. It also allows parents to determine if they are able to care for more children, increasing the likelihood that children will have access to health care, education, and other services. These are all beautiful things for families and children.

Unfortunately, there are global gaps in contraceptives and far too many women around the world are denied reproductive autonomy by spouses, parents, religious edicts, government, and patriarchal norms. In Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia contraceptive prevalence is below 30%, while the global average is around 57%. Meanwhile, fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia are often 80% to 100% or more above the global average of 2.4.

At Population Media Center, we consider these obstacles to reproductive autonomy profoundly regressive. They constitute an unfair informational and social ecosystem that works against women and their families as they deliberate whether family planning is a choice that is right for them. We’re committed to working globally, including on projects addressing reproductive freedom in the United States, to promote an equitable world where contraception is accessible and acceptable for all.