Inequalities in accessing sexual, reproductive healthcare persist: WHO study

Rates of unintended pregnancies, abortions vary widely within the same region and geographies, it says

By Taran Deol
Published: Friday 25 March 2022

The world has not been successful in reducing inequalities concerning access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, according to a new study by the World Health Organization (WHO).

This is reflected by the fact that the rates of unintended pregnancies and abortions vary widely within the same region and geographies. The income level of a country does not impact these indicators, contrary to general assumptions.

Continued: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/inequalities-in-accessing-sexual-reproductive-healthcare-persist-who-study-82097

Battery acid, cassava sticks and clothes hangers: We must end the global gag rule

Critics say the policy has led to deep cuts in funding for family planning

Nelly Munyasia, Womba Wanki
2 Dec 2020

On 23 January 2017, United States President Donald Trump issued an expansion of the Mexico City Policy, or “global gag rule” (GGR), last implemented under George W Bush. The GGR blocks US global health assistance to any foreign nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) that perform abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the life of the woman; provide counselling on, or referrals for, abortion; or lobby for the liberalisation of abortion law. This stance is enforced even if the NGOs use non-US funds for these aspects of healthcare.

She Decides — a global women’s rights movement, of which we’re both members — was a direct response to the reinstatement of the GGR and its devastating effect on the lives and freedoms of women and girls. We are, therefore, encouraged by early indications that president-elect Joe Biden is expected to rescind this devastating rule as one of the new administration’s first acts.

Continued: https://mg.co.za/africa/2020-12-02-battery-acid-cassava-sticks-and-clothes-hangers-we-must-end-the-global-gag-rule/

Curb high rate of unintended pregnancies in Africa

Curb high rate of unintended pregnancies in Africa

23/08/19
By: Royal Uche

[LAGOS] Consistent political will from governments of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa could help curb the 14 million unintended pregnancies recorded annually in the region, a study says.

Pregnancies occurring when children are unexpected could lead to problems such as unsafe abortion, mental illness and negative quality of women’s lives, researchers from Ghana say, adding that in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) few studies have explored such pregnancies.

Continued: https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/health/news/curb-high-rate-of-unintended-pregnancies-in-africa.html

23.08.2019

unintended pregnancy rates

Unintended Pregnancy Rates Declined Globally from 1990 to 2014

Unintended Pregnancy Rates Declined Globally from 1990 to 2014
Larger Declines in Developed Than Developing Regions

March 5, 2018
News Release, Guttmacher Institute

Rates of unintended pregnancy have decreased globally since 1990, according to a new study published today in The Lancet Global Health. While the unintended pregnancy rate fell worldwide from 1990–1994 to 2010–2014, it dropped less sharply in developing regions (16%) than in developed regions (30%). “Global, Regional, and Subregional Trends in Unintended Pregnancy and Its Outcomes from 1990 to 2014,” by Guttmacher Institute researcher Jonathan Bearak and colleagues, highlights the incidence of unintended pregnancies in all world regions, using an updated methodology and a broader evidence base than past studies to examine changes over time.

The researchers found that during the most recent period (2010–2014), an estimated 44% of pregnancies worldwide were unintended. This translates to a rate of 62 unintended pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15–44, a decrease from 74 per 1,000 women in 1990–1994.

Continued: https://www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2018/unintended-pregnancy-rates-declined-globally-1990-2014