Marie Stopes International (MSI) has joined together with five other international and regional sexual and reproductive health organisations, including the Population Council and the Asia Pacific Council on Contraception in a show of support for World Contraception Day (WCD) – 26 September 2008.
This second year of WCD is especially poignant, as it marks the 40th anniversary of the United Nations declaration that contraception and family planning is as a basic human right. The Day, sponsored by Bayer Schering Pharma, highlights the impact of unplanned pregnancy and the importance of young people making informed choices about contraception.
MSI’s contribution in the lead up to the event included getting a variety of key healthcare providers involved; helping to distribute key literature about the contraceptive options and spreading the word about WCD through global networks.
The 2008 campaign aims to raise awareness amongst young people under the campaign motto ‘Your body, your life, your choice’. Seventy countries on four continents have been involved in educational activities and events to raise awareness of the importance of family planning and the UK is no exception.
Chief Executive of MSI, Dana Hovig warnsof the particular challenge that the UK faces:
"Here in the UK we have the highest pregnancy teenage rate in Western Europe; twice that of Germany, three times the teenage pregnancy rate of France and five times the teenage pregnancy rate of the Netherlands. So we have a solution in contraception and some countries are getting this right, but we need to do better."
Pauline Beddoes, Nurse Manager at MSI, urges couples to adopt MSI’s mission statement of ‘children by choice, not chance’:
“Couples are focusing on the heat of the moment and not the potential consequences of their sexual encounters. It is vital that couples discuss contraception before having sex. We hope World Contraception Day encourages people to consider their contraceptive choices and the many contraceptive options available.”
MSI were delighted when media personality, Kelly Osbourne, agreed to act as this year’s global ambassador for WCD:
“This campaign is important because it empowers young people to make informed choices about contraception,” says Kelly Osbourne.
“Today, young women face many pressures and challenges when dealing with relationships and sex, but my message is simple when it comes to contraception: it’s your life, it’s your body and it’s your choice.”
A study carried out by Kudos Research on behalf of MSI has worryingly showed that while Londoners are most likely to use contraception, nearly 43% of residents in the Midlands did not use protection.
This research has also highlighted the lack of communication between sexually active partners. More than 52% of sexually active people in the UK also admitted not talking to their partner about contraception before having sex.*
“When to have a baby is one of the biggest decisions in your life, says Osbourne.
“Talk to your partner and your doctor about the best contraception and protection to empower you to make a conscious family planning decision.”
Hovig reiterates MSI's commitment to helping women to prevent unwanted pregnancies: "
We are asking governments to invest more in family planning and sexual and reproductive health education. We are asking donors to invest more in family planning and to support private sector initiatives which can make a greater contribution to unwanted pregnancy an unsafe abortion because we know that family planning and providing choices saves lives."
* Kudos Research independently surveyed 1,000 men and women about their views on contraception and family planning, on behalf of Marie Stopes International.
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