Ensuring that 120 million additional women and girls are able to access and use modern contraception, a goal outlined by the Family Planning 2020 global partnership, is about much more than a number.
Women and girls — each with a face, a name, a story and dreams — have the right to define their needs and make decisions about their own sexual and reproductive health, both within and beyond the clinic walls.
In fact, the ability to choose whether, when and how many children to have is essential not only to a woman’s health, but also to the health of her family and community. When women have access to quality family planning and health services, they are more likely to survive childbirth, have healthier children and go further in their education.
Read more stories on family planning:
► PSI CEO on family planning's 3 'exciting new funding trends'
► Future reproductive freedom starts by giving youth a seat at the table
► Melinda Gates: Time to rise to our family planning promise
► Could your global programs use a nudge?
► From global commitments to local action: Revitalizing Indonesia's family planning program
About the authors
Beth Schlachter
Beth Schlachter is MSI Reproductive Choices’ senior director of U.S. external relations. Beth has worked in women’s health and rights for 20 years, including at International Planned Parenthood Federation and as executive director of FP2020-FP2030. Beth was a career diplomat at the U.S. Department of State working at embassies in Uganda and South Africa.
Yetnayet Asfaw
Dr. Yetnayet Asfaw is vice president for strategy and impact at EngenderHealth. She has more than 15 years of global reproductive health experience in her native country of Ethiopia. Until recently, Asfaw was EngenderHealth’s Ethiopia country director where she oversaw highly successful programs in the country. In previous positions, she led and managed diverse health and development programs, major health projects funded by USAID and private donors. She previously consulted for the government of Ethiopia, the World Bank, World Health Organization, and the United Nations Children’s Fund in Ethiopia.
