Document Type

Book

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

Family planning improves health, reduces poverty, and empowers women. Yet, today, more than 200 million women in the developing world want to avoid pregnancy but are not using a modern method of contraception. They face many obstacles, including lack of access to information and health-care services, opposition from their husbands and communities, misperceptions about side effects, and cost. Family planning programs are among the most successful development interventions of the past 50 years. They are unique in their range of potential benefits, encompassing economic development, maternal and child health, educational advances, and women’s empowerment. Research shows that with high-quality voluntary family planning programs, governments are able to reduce fertility and produce large-scale improvements in health, wealth, human rights, and education. This book is a comprehensive resource for policymakers and donors. It makes the case for increased funding and support of voluntary family planning, and details how to design programs to operate both ethically and effectively.

Comments

Executive summary: English | French

DOI

10.31899/rh11.1016

Language

English

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