Millions of Women Are Left Without Contraceptive Access
The Numbers Don’t Lie:
In 2021, 9% of the 1.9 billion women of reproductive age worldwide had unmet needs for contraception—that’s nearly 171 million women who couldn’t access birth control despite wanting to prevent pregnancy (UNFPA, 2022).
This crisis isn’t just about family planning; it’s about gender equality, economic stability, and fundamental human rights.
The Global Divide:
Who Gets Contraception and Who Doesn’t?
While contraception is widely available in many high-income countries, women in low- and middle-income nations face severe barriers to access.
Consider the following statistics:
23% of women who want to avoid pregnancy lack access to contraception in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: (Guttmacher Institute, 2023).
17% of married women have unmet contraceptive needs in South Asia, largely due to social stigma and limited healthcare services.
Source: (BMC Women’s Health, 2024).
In the United States, 45% of pregnancies are unintended, disproportionately affecting low-income women and women of color due to financial and systemic barriers to birth control.
Source: (CDC, 2022).
In the UK, contraception is available through the NHS, but budget cuts have led to the closure of sexual health clinics, limiting access for young and vulnerable populations.
Source: (British Medical Journal, 2017).
The Ripple Effects
Why Contraception Access Matters:
1. Higher Maternal Death Rates
Unintended pregnancies contribute to unsafe abortions, which account for 13% of maternal deaths worldwide (WHO, 2023). When contraception access is limited, women resort to unsafe methods, putting their lives at risk.
2. Economic Hardship and Workforce Impact
Limited contraception access forces many women into early motherhood, reducing their chances of education and financial independence. A study found that ensuring universal contraception access would add $3.2 trillion to the global economy annually by increasing women’s participation in the workforce (World Bank, 2021).
3. Increased Child Poverty and Overpopulation
Unintended pregnancies often result in larger families with fewer resources, perpetuating cycles of poverty and malnutrition. According to UNICEF, children born into unintended pregnancies are more likely to experience food insecurity, lower education levels, and poorer health outcomes (APHSA, 2022).
Why Are Women Still Struggling to Access Contraception?
Cost Barriers
Even in wealthier nations, contraception can be expensive. In the US, birth control pills cost up to $50 per month without insurance, while long-term options like IUDs can reach $1,300 upfront
Source: (Planned Parenthood, 2023)
Cultural and Religious Stigma
In many parts of the world, contraception is seen as immoral or socially unacceptable. In the Philippines, for example, the Catholic Church has historically opposed birth control, leading to restrictive policies that only recently began to change
Source: (The Guardian, 2021)
Lack of Education
Many women lack basic knowledge about contraception. Comprehensive sex education is banned or severely restricted in some regions, leaving young people uninformed about their reproductive rights
Source: (UNESCO, 2024)
Healthcare System Failures
A shortage of healthcare providers, especially in rural areas, means that many women simply cannot get a prescription or access contraception services. In the UK, budget cuts have reduced access to sexual health clinics, disproportionately affecting young women and marginalised communities.
Source: (Terrance Higgins Trust, n.d)
Final Thoughts:
Contraception Access is a Human Right
The ability to control one’s reproductive choices is fundamental to gender equality, health, and economic stability. Yet, millions of women worldwide still lack access to basic contraceptive care. Addressing this crisis requires a global commitment to policy change, education, and healthcare investment.
Because when women have control over their reproductive health, they have control over their future.
Key Statistics to Remember
9% of women of reproductive age (171 million) worldwide have unmet contraceptive needs
Unsafe abortions account for 13% of maternal deaths worldwide
Ensuring universal contraception access would add $3.2 trillion to the global economy annually
In the US, 45% of pregnancies are unintended
In some regions, comprehensive sex education is banned or severely restricted
Birth control pills cost up to $50 per month without insurance in the US, while long-term options like IUDs can reach $1,300 upfront
Budget cuts in the UK have led to the closure of sexual health clinics, limiting access for young and vulnerable populations
In South Asia, 17% of married women have unmet contraceptive needs
23% of women who want to avoid pregnancy lack access to contraception in Sub-Saharan Africa
