Contraception

Family Planning in the Philippines: Stalled Again

By Barry Mirkin
With the landslide victory of the tough talking city mayor of Davao City, Roberto Duterte to the Presidency of the Philippines in May 2016, news reports of the South-East Asian country have been dominated by the President's often controversial statements and policies, especially toward those involved in the illegal drug trade. One such notable event, which slipped below the radar was the granting of a second temporary restraining order in 2016 by the country's Supreme Court on the distribution of most contraceptives.

Debate Roils India Over Family Planning Method

By Neeta Lal
The Indian government's decision to make injectable contraceptives available to the public for free under the national family planning programme (FPP) has stirred debate about women's choices in the world's largest democracy and second most populous country.

OPINION: All Family Planning Should Be Voluntary, Safe and Fully Informed

By Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin
The tragic deaths and injuries of women following sterilisation in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh have sparked global media coverage and public concern and outrage.

OPINION: On Reproductive Rights, Progress with Concerns

By Joseph Chamie
For most of human history, reproductive rights essentially meant men and women accepting the number, timing and spacing of their children, as well as possible childlessness. All this changed radically in the second half of the 20th century with the introduction of new medical technologies aimed at both preventing and assisting human reproduction.

U.N. Urged to Reaffirm Reproductive Rights in Post-2015 Agenda

By Thalif Deen
The U.N.'s post-2015 development agenda has been described as the most far-reaching and comprehensive development-related endeavour ever undertaken by the world body.

Helping Uganda’s HIV positive Women Avoid Unplanned Pregnancies

By Amy Fallon
Barbara Kemigisa used to call herself an “HIV/AIDS campaigner”. These days she would rather be known as an “HIV/AIDS family planning campaigner”.

One Woman’s Struggle to Find the Right Contraceptive

By Miriam Gathigah
Beatrice Njeri had just come home from her job as a janitor at a primary school in Nairobi. It was August 2009.

The Weakest Link of HIV Prevention in Africa – Contraception

By Miriam Gathigah
In the rush to save babies from HIV infection and treat their mothers, experts warn that a key element of HIV prevention is being neglected in Africa – contraceptives for HIV positive women.

Teen Pregnancy Rooted in Powerlessness

By Joan Erakit
Before we begin, perhaps we can set aside the stereotypes: no, she didn’t "mess herself up by following boys around", and no, it is not in fact her fault that she became pregnant.

Turkish Women Push Back Against Patriarchy

By Ariam Frezghi
Among the many issues bringing protestors together at Gezi Park, the now-iconic site of struggle in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, is the demand for women’s liberation.

Q&A: “Women’s Rights Are Human Rights”

By Joan Erakit
On Thursday, the international community recognises World Population Day, a time of assessment, discussion and projections for the future that necessarily gives great weight to the rights of women and girls and particularly their sexual and reproductive health.

Young Yemen Multiplies Without Growth

By Rebecca Murray
Yemen’s population is increasing at a rapid rate, straining the country’s dwindling natural resources and setting up its youth for a grim future, with few jobs and scant means to get by.

OP-ED: The Nexus Between Women and Development

By Babatunde Osotimehin
Every three years since 2007, a global advocacy organisation called Women Deliver has convened an international conference to talk about issues relating to the health and well-being of girls and women.

UNFPA Focuses on Contraception for 222 Million in Developing World

By Thalif Deen
When thousands of participants from around the world gather in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur next week, the primary focus will be on health and empowerment of girls and women.
Marleen Temmerman, head of the Department of Reproductive Health and Research at the World Health Organisation (WHO). Credit: World Health Organisation.

Q&A: “There is Nothing Worse Than Holding a Dying Woman in Your Arms”

By Sabine Clappaert
Despite staggering advances in medical science and technology over the years, women around the world continue to suffer gravely as a result of inadequate access to basic reproductive health services.