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Africa
Millions of women cannot access the contraception and safe abortion services that could transform their lives.
The challenge
Today, the international community is failing the 218 million women and girls who want but have no access to contraception. This number will increase to 300 million by 2030 if no additional action is taken.
Unsafe abortion continues to be a public health crisis, and this year, 25 million women will make the agonising decision to have an unsafe abortion. An estimated 22,000 women will die. No one should have to risk their life or health for bodily autonomy and to determine their own futures.
As a result, MSI Reproductive Choices' vision for the next 10 years is bold: By 2030, no abortion will be unsafe and every individual who wants access to contraception will have it.
Contraception changes lives. It allows women to take control of their futures – and in doing so, it drives economic and social development.
The lack of access to reproductive healthcare continues to affect the life chances of women and girls. In Niger, half of all girls have given birth to their first child before their 18th birthday, while only 1 in 100 will finish secondary education.
With women and girls facing the brunt of daunting global challenges, such as inequality, the global pandemic and the impact of the climate crisis, we know we have much to fight for.
Every day, MSI’s providers witness the power of reproductive choice. By enabling girls to stay in school, supporting women to forge their careers, and better equipping communities to be resilient in the face of global challenges, from COVID-19 to the climate crisis, reproductive choice is foundational to building a better, more sustainable world for all.
Our vision for MSI 2030 – our 10 year strategy - is bold: By 2030, no abortion will be unsafe and every individual who wants access to contraception will have it.
To make this a reality, we will partner across healthcare providers and sectors, so that every woman and girl is only one contact away from a high-quality, safe reproductive health service.
And we will fight to make sure no one is left behind – from women living in marginalised, hard-to-reach communities, to adolescents breaking taboos for seeking contraception. We believe every woman has the right to control her body and choose her own future, with no exceptions.
We know that providing services alone isn’t enough. So, we work to challenge the stigma that can hold women back from seeking safe care, advocating for the removal of unnecessary legal restrictions that prevent access to contraception and safe abortions, and which ultimately cost lives.
We know that making reproductive choice a reality for all is within reach this decade. Here’s how we can make it happen, together.
Investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare is key to building a more equal and sustainable world for all. With MSI, it cost only 3 cents per day to protect a young woman from an unintended pregnancy, giving her the chance to finish school or even saving her life. By supporting girls education and enabling women to build their careers, reproductive choice is key to achieving gender equality and rebuilding economies. If we can work towards closing the gender gap in workplaces, it is predicted to add up to $28 trillion in annual GDP by 2025.
We know the difference that access to contraception and safe abortion can make to women’s lives. Yet today, there are over 230 million women and girls who want but have no access to contraception. It is projected that this number could rise to over 300 million by the end of the decade if we don’t change its course. We must ensure that no one is left behind, delivering inclusive services at scale and reaching the most marginalised, from women living in hard-to-reach communities, to adolescents seeking services despite social stigma or taboo.
In every country in which we work, our services are over-medicalised and over-regulated. As the organised rollback of reproductive healthcare and rights continues, global and local allies and partners are more important than ever. Our role as a service provider is to normalise their lifesaving services, continuing to advocate for change, as well as partner to remove the unnecessary restrictions that delay women’s access and cost lives.
For over 40 years, we have trusted women, not doctors, to make the choices that are right for them. We know that women are increasingly choosing to access healthcare services outside of facility settings, whether at home, via telemedicine, or with a quality product from their local pharmacy. We must continue to adapt and scale up routes for self-managing healthcare, to ensure women can access choice safely, on their terms.
From contraception to safe abortions, and life-saving services following unsafe procedures, we are committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality services for all. With absolutely no stigma attached.
Our vision for the next decade is bold but simple: By 2030, no abortion will be unsafe and every individual who wants access to contraception will have it.
We’ve been providing life-changing reproductive health services for over 40 years. Every day we see how our services are improving the lives of the women we serve.
We go the last mile to reach women, working hard to understand their unique challenges, and tailoring our services and solutions accordingly.
Learn how we're scaling up reproductive healthcare in 37 countries, and the work we're doing on the ground with local and national governments.
