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Helping individuals achieve their family planning intentions can be life-saving
In countries with developing health systems, unintended pregnancies can have severe consequences. Nearly
90,000 women die each year from complications of unintended pregnancies.
Access to contraception has been shown to help girls and women stay in school longer, improve their employment prospects, and earn more.
Every 100 unintended pregnancies that go to term lead to the loss of 10 disability-adjusted life-years from:​
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postpartum anaemia
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obstetric fistula
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still-births
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postpartum depression
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complications from obstructed labour
Modern contraceptive methods are inaccessible for many women, often due to a lack of knowledge. We want to help change that.
In Africa, one in five women who are sexually active and not seeking another child are not currently using contraception. Lack of awareness of modern contraceptives and (often misplaced) concerns about side effects are frequently the reasons why.
…there’s the belief that when you take family planning pills you will not give birth forever even when you discontinue taking the drugs. They prefer to take herbs (traditional medicines) rather than drugs.
- Respondent in Northern Nigerian, Pathfinder International report
FEM helps close the knowledge gap through clear, engaging, and accurate communications
FEM uses radio to provide women and men with important information about effective contraception. In many countries, radio is the most widely trusted and consumed form of media. Studies indicate that in areas where contraceptives are available, intensive radio campaigns can be one of the most cost-effective ways to help families realise their family planning intentions.
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