Lack of access to family planning major hurdle for gender equality

Arabian Post Staff

Lack of access to family planning and contraception methods is a significant barrier to achieving gender equality, as outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It not only affects women’s health but also hinders their socio-economic empowerment. When women can’t control their reproductive rights, they often face challenges in pursuing education, entering the workforce, and contributing to the economy. This lack of access also has ripple effects on economic productivity, as nations miss out on the potential contributions of half their population.

This is one of the key points of the inaugural Middle East & North Africa Contraception Policy Atlas which was released by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) in Cairo.

The MENA Contraception Policy Atlas offers a comprehensive analysis of 21 countries on aspects such as political leadership, access to contraceptives, national and international policies, and funding. The Atlas reveals that while most countries have taken concrete steps at the policy level to ensure access to reproductive health for everyone, more needs to be done to further strengthen the mechanisms in place. This launch holds particular significance as, per the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 60.5% of married Arab women aspire to avoid short-term pregnancies, yet 40% of them do not use safe and effective family planning methods.

Key MENA Highlights:

52% of countries have initiated policy measures to guarantee universal access to contraception. However, barriers, including misinformation and financial constraints, persist.

14% provide governmental websites on contraception.

62% have made pledges to family planning through global organizations and networks.

A mere 6 out of 21 countries recognize the right to determine family size, timing, and spacing of children.