Global access to contraception: are we nearly there yet?
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…