The development of the contraceptive pill is often deemed one of the most important inventions of the 20th century, allowing women reproductive autonomy. Yet, over 60 years later, in 2022, 40% of pregnancies worldwide were still unintentional.
How are we this far away after travelling for so long?
Unintended pregnancies foster a hotbed of poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. 60% of unintended pregnancies end in abortion, 45% of which are considered unsafe. They also result in far reaching negative social and economic consequences.
Progress has been made by efforts, such as by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in improving global access, education and usage of modern contraceptives. This has led to success with 60 million more women having access to modern contraception today than a decade ago.
However, there are still an estimated 257 million women who wish to avoid pregnancy but are not using modern methods of contraception. Social and logistical barriers exist including poverty, limited education, sexual violence, and poor availability and accessibility of methods.
Innovation in contraceptive technology has stagnated with little advancement in decades and chronic underfunding is a key culprit. Contraception is relatively neglected financially with 64 million USD invested into contraceptive technology in low and middle-income countries in 2018, compared with 1.4 billion USD for HIV research and development.
Innovation into new contraceptive methods is crucial as women’s dissatisfaction with the options available is being translated into poor uptake and continuity.
So, we are not nearly there yet.
In today’s political climate, reproductive rights remain a divisive topic. However, despite efforts to slow global access to contraception, as highlighted by Trump’s ‘global gag rule’ in January 2017, attitudes worldwide have generally become more accepting of contraception.
We are now presented with an opportunity. Our attention is needed to resist policies that restrain reproductive rights, but also to advance forward. Adequate funding is key for supporting the innovation of new contraceptive technology and highly effective policies are needed to improve access and uptake.
This is a call to action. A world full of women and girls, empowered to meet their contraceptive needs, is within reach.
We just need to start making it a priority.
References
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Better contraceptives are coming, https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/articles/why-we-must-invest-in-new-womens-contraceptive-options
- State of World Population 2022 report, SWP Report 2022 | United Nations Population Fund (unfpa.org)
- ODI, Barriers to Contraceptive Use, https://odi.org/en/about/our-work/barriers-to-contraceptive-use/
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Family planning, https://www.gatesfoundation.org/our-work/programs/gender-equality/family-planning
