How Access to Contraceptives and Safe Abortions Changes Lives and Economies

Family planning is one of the most economically important strategies for women and girls. Access to contraceptives can help women and girls get an education and participate in the workforce. Furthermore, it could reduce maternal deaths by as much as three-quarters, according to the United Nations Population Fund. But nearly 10 percent of women of childbearing age around the world have unmet contraceptive needs and teenage girls report less access to contraceptives than other age groups. 

On today’s episode of the Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women, we look at the most effective ways to increase family planning services. First, reporter Elodie Toto travels to the West African country of Benin, which recently expanded abortion access. Then host Reena Ninan speaks with Dr. Samukeliso Dube, Executive Director of the global partnership FP2030. They work with governments, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector to mobilize investments in family planning.

Program Note: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which supports this podcast, is one of the funders of FP2030. 

The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs at Northwestern University.

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