United Nations: Access to Contraceptives Could Save the World Billions

Helen Holmes November 16, 2012

If all women are given access to contraception, the world economy could save billions, the United Nation reports.

Family planning is not just a privilege, but an essential human right. However, many people are denied this right, says Babatunde Osotimehin, UN Population Fund (UNFPA). In the 2012 State of World Population, the UN Population Fund urged the world to help meet the needs of 222 million women in developing countries.

Economic Benefits of Family Planning

Unsafe abortion is responsible for 13% of maternal mortality around the world, and sadly, it occurs among people who want family planning but could not get it, Osotimehin added. He described contraception as one of the most effective means of empowering women. However, the right of family planning does not always cover the right of abortion in many countries. He argues that abortion should not be promoted as a contraceptive method. And even if it’s legal, it should be done safely.

According to the report, inadequate family planning in developing countries greatly contributes to poverty and health cost. But if citizens are given full access to better family planning programs, the world economy can save up to $5.7 billion (£3.6bn). They could also prevent unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.

During the State of World Population, the United Nations highlighted the economic benefits of family planning. These include wealthier households and an increase in the number of women in the workforce (they will have more time to earn money because they only have fewer children to take care of). They cited a study that reveals how the use of contraceptives has contributed to the economic growth of 1/3 of the “tiger” economies in Asia.

More support needed for developing countries

If an additional 120 million women who want contraceptives could gain access to them by 2020, the United Nation said there will be approximately 3 million fewer babies who will die in their first year of life. Also, these women will reduce their risk of dying due to childbirth by a third.

But despite these benefits, there has been a declining support both from the government and donor countries for sexual and reproductive health in the past years. In 2010, donor countries fell short of their expected contribution to the sexual and reproductive health services to developing countries, with a prevalence of 0.1% over the last years.

But in the UNFPA press release, they said donor countries and foundations pledged to contribute a total of $2.6 billion (£1.6bn) to supply contraceptives for 120 million women in developing countries with unmet needs by 2020. According to the report, Africa and South Asia have the least access to contraceptives due to poverty.

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Source of this article:

Contraception could save world $5.7 bn: UN report