Growing Need for Contraceptives Funding in Developing Nations

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health released a report in the latest issue of Population Reports, “Family Planning Logistics: Strengthening the Supply Chain,” warning that declining contraceptive funding in developing countries could result in more unwanted pregnancies and higher cases of sexually transmitted diseases. According to the report, contraceptive use in developing countries and countries of the former Soviet Union is expected to increase by 212 million users to 764 million by 2015. By then, $739 million from international donors—$585 million more than supplied in 2000—will be needed to support the rising demand. Between 1992 and 1996, 41% of contraceptives funding came through international donors, such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

According to the report, the UN estimates 360,000 additional unintended pregnancies, 150,000 more induced abortions, 11,000 more infant deaths, and 800 more maternal deaths for every $1 million decline in contraceptive funding.

The Bush Administration placed a hold on the release of $34 million in UNFPA funding, originally appropriated in January 2002. The loss of UNFPA funds has already caused the agency to make cut backs in programs and personnel, as US funding accounts for 13 percent of the UNFPA budget.

TAKE ACTION: Urge Bush to Release UNFPA Funds

LEARN MORE Click here to read women's narratives about barriers or successes in accessing reproductive health and family planning services.

Media Resources: UN Wire 6/7/02; Johns Hopkins release 6/6/02; Johns Hopkins Population Reports Winter 2002; Feminist Majority 4/8/02, 5/13/02

© Feminist Majority Foundation, publisher of Ms. magazine

If you liked this story, consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Ms. magazine.