The last few decades have seen an enormous increase in the use of contraceptive and other reproductive health services around the world. As donors, NGOs, the private sector and program providers work to meet the current need for reproductive health services, new demands continue to drain available resources. These actors have become increasingly concerned about observed shortfalls in reproductive health supplies in general and of contraceptives in particular throughout the developing world. Reproductive health security denotes an adequate supply and choice of quality reproductive health supplies for every person who needs them. This requires not only the commodities themselves, but the capacity to forecast, finance, procure, and deliver. A secure supply of essential reproductive health commodities will be crucial to achieving the goals of the Programme of Action. On June 8, 2000, Population Action International held focus groups with attendees of the UN Special Session, Beijing+5: Women 2000. The purpose of the research was to gauge awareness of the impending shortage of donated contraceptive supplies. The focus groups revealed that almost none of the participants were aware of the impending shortage. However, few were surprised by it. In general, the reaction to this looming crisis was one of subdued resignation. Participants seemed to view contraceptive insecurity as just another challenge in the struggle to improve the lives of women in the developing world. The results are now being used to inform the efforts of the Interim Working Group on Reproductive Health Commodity Security to increase contraceptive security around the world.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Contraceptives, Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Interim Working Group on Reproductive Health Commidity Security is made up the following organizations: John Snow, Inc., Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), Population Action International and the Wallace Global Fund.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employed by Population Action International