Global leaders unite to provide 120 million women in the world’s poorest countries With access to contraceptives by 2020

By Eric Akasa

 Voluntary family planning services will reach an additional 120 million women and girls in the world’s poorest countries by 2020 thanks to a new set of commitments announced last week at the London Summit on Family Planning by more than 150 leaders from donor and developing countries, international agencies, civil society, foundations and the private sector.

 The summit was co-hosted by the UK Government’s Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This unprecedented effort showcased innovative partnerships and leadership at the country level, empowering women to reach their full potential. The Summit underscored the importance of access to contraceptives as both a right and a transformational health and development priority.

 “This is a breakthrough for the world's poorest girls and women which will transform lives, now and for generations to come. The commitments made at the Summit today will support the rights of women to determine freely, and for themselves, whether, when and how many children they have.” Says Andrew Mitchell secretary of state for International development.

“Enabling an additional 120 million women in the world’s poorest countries to access and use contraception, something women in the developed world take for granted, will save millions of lives and enable girls and women to determine their own futures.” He adds. 

 “Every six minutes a woman who does not want to be pregnant dies during pregnancy or childbirth – every six minutes. How many minutes do we want to wait before we act? I say we don’t wait at all.” Note UK Prime Minister David Cameron   

By 2020, the collective efforts announced will result in 200,000 fewer women dying in pregnancy and childbirth, more than 110 million fewer unintended pregnancies, over 50 million fewer abortions, and nearly three million fewer babies dying in their first year of life.

Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said: “When I travel and talk to women around the world they tell me that access to contraceptives can often be the difference between life and death. Today is about listening to their voices, about meeting their aspirations, and giving them the power to create a better life for themselves and their families.”

“This summit is certainly one of the most exciting days of my life.” She says

“Let me be clear. What we are doing is an enormous undertaking. We can’t be shy about admitting that. We are trying to do something here very ambitious. But the right partners are engaged, and the strategy is right… I am optimistic because we are all here. “She adds

 “I am optimistic because there are hundreds of millions of women who desperately want to make life better for themselves and for their children, and I know that if we listen to them, we are going to succeed.” Melinda Gates points out.

  The Summit has raised the resources to deliver contraceptives to an additional 120 million women which is estimated to cost $4.3 billion. More than 20 developing countries made bold commitments to address the policy, financing and delivery barriers to women accessing contraceptive information, services and supplies. Donors made new financial commitments to support these plans amounting to $2.6 billion – exceeding the Summit’s financial goal.

“I tell girls that it is possible. They can dream, just like I did. All they have to do is be careful – to wait until they are ready to have their pregnancy. Because someone told me about family planning very early, I was able to space my children and even delay my first pregnancy. If it weren’t for family planning, I believe I would be like any other woman in Korogosho.”Jane Otai Tupange/JHPIEGO Kenya

“I believe that you will make a good decision for these women, and more women will have access to family planning services.” Otai adds. 

Access to safe, effective methods of contraception is considered one of the most cost-effective investments a country can make in its future. Studies show that every US $1 invested in family planning services yields up to $6 in savings on health, housing, water, and other public services.

Contraceptive use also leads to more education and greater opportunities for girls, helping to end the cycle of poverty for them and their families. Up to a quarter of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa drop out of school due to unintended pregnancies, stifling their potential to improve their lives and their children’s lives.

The Summit galvanized the global community to create transformational change, calling for innovative solutions and robust public-private partnerships that put women at the heart of the equation. Commitments announced today will give women more options, easier access, and improved health care.