What does the future hold for family planning in Africa?

This critical question framed the recent webinar on family planning held by the Coalition of Women’s Health in Africa (COWHA). Experts, advocates, and policymakers convened to discuss and explore the state of reproductive health in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and beyond. Family planning is more than a health intervention; it is a catalyst for gender equality, economic growth, and sustainable development.

Yet, despite progress, over 218 million women in low and middle-income countries still experience unmet needs for contraception, with SSA facing some of the highest rates of demand. Addressing these needs has the potential to save thousands of lives anually, reducing maternal deaths by up to 30% and child child deaths by 20%. Moreover, it offers remarkable economic benefits, with every dollar invested in family planning yielding up to USD 200 in socio-economic returns.

A wide range of social and cultural barriers persist, from fears around contraceptive side effects to the lack of female autonomy in decision-making, leaving nearly 40% of SSA women without access to family planning. Adolescents in particular, face even more restricted access resulting in elevated rates of teenage pregnancies, an ongoing challenge across African nations. In light of declining donor funding, innovative financing models are critical, alongside government efforts to prioritize family planning in health and development policies.

PANELISTS:

Moderator – Dr. Norah Maitisa Country Medical Lead South & Sub-Saharan Africa Organon

Keynote Speaker –  Dr. Ebba Secka Senior Technical Officer – Reproductive Health, Division of Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC