Empowering Women Through Reproductive Rights: A Global Perspective

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sadia Khalid, a dedicated professional with an extensive academic background, holding an MBBS and an MD degree. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Access to contraception is vital for transforming the socio-economic landscape of low-income nations by empowering women to control their reproductive health. This empowerment fosters sustainable development by enabling women to pursue education and participate fully in the workforce. Investing in family planning not only leads to healthier families but also reduces healthcare costs. For every dollar spent on contraceptive services, pregnancy-related care costs are reduced by $2.30. However, more than 200 million women in developing countries who wish to delay or avoid pregnancy still lack access to family planning services, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the unmet need for contraception stands at 25%.

The importance of reproductive rights extends beyond individual health to societal stability. Countries that prioritize women’s reproductive health often experience improved economic performance, lower maternal and infant mortality rates, and enhanced overall public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 295,000 women die each year from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. These deaths can largely be averted through access to quality maternal healthcare, prenatal care, and family planning services. Unfortunately, women in developing regions face significant barriers, including economic inequality, cultural norms, lack of education, and restrictive laws.

In the United States, women’s reproductive rights are increasingly under threat. The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has led to severe restrictions on abortion access in many states. The impact has been profound: in 28 states, abortion access is limited, with bans ranging from six weeks to over 24 weeks, and another 14 states impose almost complete bans. These challenges highlight a troubling trend where hard-won reproductive rights are rolled back, threatening not only women’s autonomy but also broader societal progress. The situation serves as a reminder that, regardless of a nation’s development status, the fight for women’s reproductive rights remains critical to achieving gender equality and socio-economic stability.

The disparities in reproductive health access are stark, particularly between high-income and low-income countries. In many developing regions, women endure high maternal and infant mortality rates due to inadequate healthcare services. While countries in Europe and the Americas have made significant progress in reducing maternal and child mortality rates, regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia still lag. 

Preventive healthcare measures play a crucial role in global reproductive health. Access to education and resources regarding sexual health, contraception, and family planning is essential for empowering women to make informed choices. Comprehensive sexual education can significantly reduce rates of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. For example, access to essential health services, including contraception and maternal healthcare, can drastically reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. Improving access to contraceptive services could prevent 67 million unintended pregnancies and 22 million unsafe abortions annually.

Organizations like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Planned Parenthood are critical in advocating for reproductive rights and improving global reproductive health. They work tirelessly to raise awareness about reproductive health issues, advocate for policy changes, and provide essential resources to underserved populations. The international community must prioritize reproductive rights as fundamental human rights, ensuring women have access to the necessary healthcare services, education, and support to make informed choices about their reproductive health.

To truly empower women, we must address the barriers that hinder access to healthcare. For example, a 2019 study by the Guttmacher Institute revealed that approximately 127 million women in low- to middle-income countries give birth each year, with many lacking adequate access to reproductive healthcare. Notably:

– 50 million women make fewer than four medical visits before childbirth.

– 16 million women do not receive post-care after experiencing major obstetric complications.

– 13 million newborns do not receive adequate care for complications.

Additionally, millions face sexual and reproductive health risks that could be mitigated through better access to reproductive healthcare:

– 133 million people lack proper treatment for STIs like trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

– 35 million women undergo unsafe abortions.

– 299,000 individuals die due to complications during childbirth.

The Guttmacher Institute estimates that with effective prevention strategies, low- to middle-income countries could achieve a 62% reduction in maternal deaths (approximately 186,000 deaths averted per year) and a 69% reduction in infant deaths (around 1.7 million deaths averted annually).

In conclusion, empowering women through reproductive rights is essential for achieving social, cultural, and economic equality. By recognizing and addressing barriers to healthcare access, we can safeguard families, foster thriving communities, and promote economic development. The time for change is now; prioritizing reproductive health is not just a matter of rights but also of global progress.

About the author

Sadia Khalid is a dedicated professional with an extensive academic background, holding an MBBS and an MD degree. She is an Early-stage Researcher (ESR), accomplished Medical Writer, and Research Engineer based at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) in Estonia. Sadia’s research interests span a wide spectrum within the realm of medical sciences, including Molecular Medicine, Cell Biology, Infectious Diseases, Bacteriology, Hepatology, and Gastroenterology. Her work is underpinned by a strong belief in the mission of promoting public health, safety, and awareness./