Helping individuals achieve their family planning intentions can be life-saving
In countries with developing health systems, unintended pregnancies can have severe consequences. Every year, these lead to 25 million unsafe abortions and 47,000 maternal deaths.
Access to contraception has been shown to help girls and women stay in school longer, improve their employment prospects, and earn more.
Givewell estimates averting one unintended pregnancy may be as valuable as doubling the income of one person for 2.5 years or averting a year of severe anemia for three people.
Modern contraceptive methods are inaccessible
for many women, often due to a lack of knowledge.
We want to help change that.
In Africa, one in five women who are sexually active and not seeking another child are not currently using contraception. Lack of awareness of modern contraceptives and (often misplaced) concerns about side effects are frequently the reasons why.
…there’s the belief that when you take family planning pills you will not give birth forever even when you discontinue taking the drugs. They prefer to take herbs (traditional medicines) rather than drugs.
- Respondent in Northern Nigerian, Pathfinder International report
FEM helps close the knowledge gap through clear, engaging, and accurate communications
FEM uses radio to provide women and men with important information about effective contraception. In many countries, radio is one of the most widely trusted and consumed forms of media. Studies indicate that in areas where contraceptives are available, intensive radio campaigns can be one of the most cost-effective ways to help families realise their family planning intentions.
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