Every year, we mark September 26 as World Contraception Day. For many of us, it may just be another ordinary day, but for others, namely the girls and women who had unintended pregnancies.
It may mean dropping out of school or university, or it may mean stopping work or being financially unable to afford daily necessities.
It may mean facing an uncertain financial future, or it may mean facing family and community stigmatisation or loss of self-esteem.
Unintended pregnancies and the lack of contraceptive use are directly linked, and yet many of us take it for granted.
However, the impact it has on the lives of girls, women, families, and communities are far-reaching and consequential. Therefore, it should be a top priority for everyone.
It’s easy to cast this issue aside when it doesn’t affect us, or we don’t see those that are impacted by unintended pregnancies.
It’s only real when this problem is faced by us or our loved ones that it takes on a whole new dimension.
The issue of unintended pregnancies and contraceptive usage have becomes an unimportant issue, especially when we are facing the prospect of an ageing population.
There is little will by stakeholders to promote contraception and prevent unintended pregnancies, yet this is an issue that potentially affects one in every two persons.
One can only hope that we can, as a nation, ensure that the number of girls and women who have unintended pregnancies gets lesser over time. Otherwise, September 26 would virtually be a meaningless occasion.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Ova.
