Contraception: The Key to Empowering Women and Driving Economic Growth in Low-Income Nations

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 plays a pivotal role in transforming the socio-economic landscape of low-income nations by empowering women to take control of their reproductive health. This empowerment fosters sustainable development by enabling women to complete their education, participate fully in the workforce, boost productivity, and elevate their economic status through higher earnings and increased savings. The ripple effects extend beyond individual women—investing in family planning leads to healthier families, reduced healthcare costs, and thriving communities. For every dollar spent on contraceptive services, the cost of pregnancy-related care is reduced by $2.30, showcasing the economic advantages of such investments.

Despite these clear benefits, over 200 million women in developing countries who wish to delay or avoid pregnancy still lack access to family planning services. Nowhere is this challenge more pronounced than in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where fertility rates remain high, and progress in reproductive health is slow. Many countries in SSA have fertility rates above five children per woman, and the unmet need for contraception stands at 25%, far higher than the global average.

This unmet need has severe repercussions. Unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and delayed prenatal care are among the most direct consequences. In SSA alone, 82% of unintended pregnancies stem from unmet contraceptive needs, leading to significant health risks and economic burdens for women and their families. Addressing this gap could prevent 15 million unsafe abortions and 90,000 maternal deaths annually, dramatically improving health outcomes and economic conditions across these nations.

At the heart of this issue lies the empowerment—or lack thereof—of women. Empowered women are more likely to use contraceptives, exercise control over their reproductive decisions, and contribute fully to their communities. Yet, in many SSA countries, patriarchal norms, cultural beliefs, and limited access to healthcare facilities undermine women’s autonomy over their reproductive health. Women with less decision-making power, limited access to education, and fewer economic opportunities are far less likely to seek or use family planning services. Consequently, family planning initiatives often fail when they do not address these deeper social dynamics that limit women’s ability to make informed choices about their health.

While international organizations and local governments have worked to expand access to contraception, many women in low-income countries still face insurmountable barriers. These barriers include geographic isolation, social stigma, lack of information, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. But the stakes are too high to accept these limitations. Family planning is not just a women’s issue; it is a critical driver of economic development, poverty reduction, and societal well-being. As the world strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), access to contraception must be recognized as a cornerstone for progress in reducing poverty, promoting gender equality, and ensuring health and prosperity for all.

It is essential to ask: why are we still behind in achieving universal access to reproductive healthcare? The fact that millions of women must ask, and even beg, for the basic right to control their own bodies and reproductive futures is a stark reminder of the persistent gender inequalities in our societies. Women should not have to fight for access to reproductive healthcare—it is a fundamental human right. Until governments and global institutions prioritize this issue with the urgency it deserves, and until we dismantle the socio-economic and cultural barriers that impede women’s access to family planning, we will continue to fall short of empowering women and achieving sustainable development in low-income nations.

The time for change is now. Reproductive rights are essential to economic prosperity, and until they are guaranteed for all women, global efforts for sustainable development will remain incomplete. Empowering women through access to contraception is not just a healthcare issue; it is a human rights imperative and a critical step towards a more just and prosperous world.

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./