Seeing the Unseen - The Case For Action in the Neglected Crisis of Unintended Pregnancy

Author:
UNFPA East and Southern Africa
Publisher:
UNFPA East and Southern Africa
Publication Date:
30 March 2022
Tags:
Africa, Pregnancy and Childbirth

Half. That's the share of all pregnancies that are unintended. What does this say about our values, our priorities - our future? Nothing is more fundamental to bodily autonomy than the ability to decide whether or not to become pregnant. Yet for too many, the most life-altering reproductive choice is no choice at all. Women are more likely to experience an unintended pregnancy when they have fewer choices and less power.

An unmarried woman or girl with an unplanned pregnancy is often seen as having "loose morals", or dismissed as "irresponsible." For many the shame attaches not just to her, but to her family as well. What about married women with unintended pregnancies? People too often assume they want to get pregnant, or that they are, at least, able to handle it. This is an erasure of their desires and choices.

Contraception is the most obvious way to prevent an unintended pregnancy. And while all methods can fail or be used incorrectly, the biggest issue by far is people not being able to get the contraception that they need, when they need it. Family planning programmes have made huge strides in opening up access to and information on contraceptives - but there's still far to go. To reach those left behind, these programmes need to tackle stigma, misinformation, health provider training, comprehensive sexuality education and gender inequality head on.

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