The 26th of September is World Contraception Day. Why is this an issue worthy of an awareness building day? Consider the following depressing statistics.
- This year, over 16 million adolescent girls will give birth worldwide.
- By the age of 18, one in every five girls in the Global South will get pregnant.
- An estimated 2.1 million women and adolescents may become pregnant unintentionally in Africa alone.
- Every year, an estimated 20 million unsafe abortions take place, putting women’s lives in jeopardy.
- More than 214 million girls and women do not have access to modern contraception.Â
- One in every five women of childbearing age in Sub-Saharan Africa needs but does not have access to advanced contraception.
“Better reproductive healthcare system, including voluntary modern contraceptives, can strengthen economies and make a significant contribution by women’s empowerment to continue their studies, join the paid workforce, be more fruitful in their jobs, raise the standard of living, and increase investments and savings,” according to the UNFPA.
