Worldwide 222 million girls and women do not have access to family planning methods. The cruel reality is that girls and women, who have no access to contraceptives, have to deal with this injustice. It takes two to become pregnant, but unfortunately, the burden of unwanted pregnancy is in most cases one-sidedly put on the girls and women. In many regions in the world, girls who become pregnant must leave school and are often rejected by their family because of the stigma associated with having an unmarried mother in the house. Unfortunately, parents let the social status of the family prevail above the health and well being of their daughters. Pregnant girls and women who are expelled from their families face a difficult life in the margin of their society. Without proper education, it is hard to get a job that provides sufficient income for themselves and their baby.

To avoid the stigma and the fear of poverty and a marginalized position, many women and girls who are unintentionally pregnant try to terminate their pregnancy and turn to dangerous abortions. The risks are high; illegal abortions are a major contributor to maternal mortality and can cause long-term problems for the reproductive health of the mother and community.

Major investment is required to fill the gap between demand and supply of family planning methods. This is needed from all levels of society, the public and private sector, the non-for-profit organizations and the for-profit-companies. In July 2012, during the Family Planning Summit in London, The Female Health Company, manufacturer of the FC2 female condom, made a pledge to contribute to the urgent need for better access to family planning methods. The Female Health Company committed to invest up to $14 million over the next six years in reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention education and training, in collaboration with global agencies. Furthermore, it awards public sector purchasers with free product, equal to 5 percent of their total annual units purchased. 

I really want to take a call upon other companies in the field of reproductive health to response positively to the call for the “It Takes Two” Industry Pledge and to support “It Takes Two’s efforts to increase access to family planning information and services. Let us all support the girls and women – and of course also boys and men - all over the world who desperately need access to contraception. It will enable them to improve health and well-being. Not only those of themselves and their children but also those of the next generations.  

Lucie van Mens
Director of Program Development and SUPPORT
The Female Health Company 

Editorial

Demand Equity

The Female Health Company makes own generous industry pledge!