To mark World Contraception Day on 26 September, Sustainable Population Australia says access to contraception is a human right, yet 257 million women globally are trying to avoid pregnancy without access to any form of modern contraception. This makes them vulnerable to unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion and preventable maternal death.

SPA national president Peter Strachan says meeting the unmet need for contraception could avert more than half of maternal deaths.

“Too many women die during pregnancy or during childbirth,” says Mr Strachan. “Access to contraception would reduce  the number of higher-risk pregnancies by increasing the spacing between births and by decreasing the likelihood of unsafe abortions.

“Many women would have access to contraception were it not for religious or cultural factors that encourage larger families, and often deliberate misinformation about health impacts of non-traditional contraceptive methods.

“Fortunately, there is a much greater range of modern contraception now, many of which are LARCs (Long Acting Reversible Contraception). Women can then control their own bodies, deciding themselves when or even if they have children.”

Mr Strachan stressed that there are two factors that are critical for the successful deployment of contraception: education and staffing.

“Age-appropriate sex education for girls is critical and must start before puberty,” he says. “Schools must take a lead on this.

“Because so many contraceptives such as intrauterine devices require medical staff for administering or removal, we must ensure there are nurses with adequate training in every health clinic, both in Australia and in poorer countries.

“While excellent contraceptive methods already exist, nevertheless, there is an urgent need for new and improved services to better serve particular populations in low-resource settings.”

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contraception
, Family Planning
, Media Releases 2024
, population
, womens empowerment