Amarachi Okeh
A new report has indicated that there is an increase in the uptake of contraception by women in lower-middle-income countries unlike a decade ago, noting that the increase in uptake is more in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the new report published by FP2030, a global partnership centred solely on family planning, the use of modern contraception is soaring around the world, with an estimated 371 million women of reproductive age in low- and lower-middle-income countries now on a modern method of family planning —87 million more than just a decade ago.
Statistics from the data indicate that one in three women of reproductive age in those countries are choosing to use modern contraception.
Also, contraceptive prevalence has increased steadily across all low- and lower-middle-income countries, in 14 of them the number of contraceptive users has doubled with Sub-Saharan African countries experiencing the sharpest growth
In like manner, there has also been a steady rise in demand for contraception, with women persevering in face of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, and natural disasters.
Speaking, Executive Director of FP2030, Dr. Samukeliso Dube, said that the latest report shows just how unstoppable the demand for modern contraception is, noting that women want to control whether and when to have children, and how many children to have.
“The past ten years have been full of obstacles for country health systems – wars, political upheavals, natural disasters, deadly disease outbreaks, and lately the COVID-19 pandemic – yet through it all, women everywhere have continued to seek out and use modern contraception in ever-growing numbers,” she said.
She further added that the benefits of family planning are enormous, and have a multiplier effect.
“Family planning is the key to reducing maternal deaths; it is the difference between finishing high school and entering into early marriage and parenthood; and it can unlock a woman’s economic survival and prosperity,” she said.
In the report, the type of contraceptive used among youth and adolescents varied based on age, geography, marital status, and so on.
It also found that contraceptive use among married and unmarried sexually active women aged 15-24 is generally higher in East and Southern Africa than in West Africa but the unmet need is still high in both regions and for both populations.
In most of the 15 countries reviewed, more than one in five sexually active young women (aged 15-24) have an unmet need for contraception.
Also speaking, FP2030 Senior Director of Data and Measurement, Jason Bremner said, “This report shows us that despite progress in recent years, there is still much work to be done when it comes to meeting the needs of women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa.”
“If this rising demand is not met by high-quality services, consistent contraceptive supplies, and supportive policies and financing, it will be a missed opportunity for millions of women—and for our collective futures.”
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