Why 164 million women have unmet contraceptive needs while methods exist that could save their lives

Shreya Suri
January 27, 2026

Fatima sat across from the community health worker, finally voicing what she’d been afraid to say. “I need to stop having children,” she whispered. “I already have six. My body can’t take another pregnancy. But my husband won’t allow contraception. And even if he did, the nearest clinic is three hours away by bus. I can’t afford the fare.”

The health worker nodded. She hears this story daily in rural Pakistan. Fatima is one of 164 million women of reproductive age worldwide with an unmet need for contraception. They want to prevent or delay pregnancy but aren’t using any contraceptive method.

Continued: https://observervoice.com/contraception-why-164-million-women-have-unmet-contraceptive-needs-while-methods-exist-that-could-save-their-lives-177572/

27.01.2026

Commentary

unmet contraceptive needs

Global

Pakistan

Contraception

Guttmacher Releases Most Comprehensive Evidence to Date on Global Family Planning Gaps, Investment and Economic Returns

Two new studies show dual impact of family planning: saving lives and driving women’s economic empowerment

November 3, 2025

Today the Guttmacher Institute unveiled findings from two groundbreaking research initiatives revealing the most comprehensive evidence to date of the transformative impact of family planning on women’s lives—underscoring the urgent need for sustained investment in global sexual and reproductive health. The new evidence has been released at the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP), which kicked off today in Bogotá, Colombia.

The two complementary studies—Adding It Up and FP-Impact—demonstrate that investing in comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care delivers immediate, life-saving benefits while simultaneously functioning as economic “seed funding” that expands national workforces and generates sustained economic returns.

Continued: https://www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2025/guttmacher-releases-most-comprehensive-evidence-date-global-family-planning-gaps

Ghana – Silent empowerment: Rural-urban women take control of family planning behind closed doors

Mona Lisa Frimpong
6 January 2025

On a May morning in 2024, Stella (not her real name) rushed to the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) clinic at Suame, her heart pounding.

It has been her routine for some time now. The weight of her fears pushed her faster as she weaved through the busy streets. Each step felt heavier, but the clinic was her only hope.

With a glance over her shoulder, she received her monthly birth control shot.

Continued: https://www.myjoyonline.com/silent-empowerment-rural-urban-women-take-control-of-family-planning-behind-closed-doors/