Statement on contraception

Contraception provision is fundamental to the basic human right of women to decide whether and when to have a child or children. It is a key component required to achieve gender equality. It is also vital to support informed decision making on timing, number and spacing of any pregnancies. The provision of comprehensive contraception services and care is therefore critical to the health and wellbeing of women, adolescents and children. In contrast, contraceptive inaccessibility carries devastating personal, social, economic and public health consequences.

Ensuring access to contraceptive information and services should be addressed at all stages of the life course. Only through the protection and provision of individual choice and empowerment can contraception contribute to improving health and economic outcomes for people of reproductive age worldwide. Contraception provision is also a key strategy to reduce maternal deaths and disabilities. Studies suggest that addressing the unmet need for contraception as a single intervention could reduce global maternal deaths by as much as 30%.  Furthermore, short  inter-pregnancy intervals have been associated with maternal anaemia, small-for-gestational age infants, preterm birth, and increased infant mortality and malnutrition.