The role of contraception/family planning in women empowerment

Contraception/family planning is said to be something that allows people to attain their desired number of children and to determine spacing of children by using modern methods of contraception. it represents a huge extension of human freedom. Contraception/family planning children is beneficial to the family, the woman and the children in that it allows couples to have smaller families such that they are less likely to slip into poverty and better education can be afforded for the children; it ensures the health and survival of women. Of particular importance is the fact that it empowers women and frees them to participate in available opportunities. Therefore, its role in empowering women cannot be overemphasized.
  • Teresa Almeida
    This is such a relevant global topic implying the politics of the body, choice, access, knowledge... I'll focus on knowledge which I'm really interested in - as I'm doing some work on body knowledge, technology, and fertility. Here fertility means getting to understand your cycle, and I'm thinking about new ways that technology could help each one of us in understanding our cycles better: in relation to health and disease, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, etc. therefore contributing to better (among other) family planning. Let me know if you have thoughts on that! 
    • Abiodun Oladimeji
      I would definitely love to learn more and if i have suggestions, i would contact you. All the best
    • Teresa Almeida
      Thanks Abiodun, I totally agree. I'd be happy to hear more from you, if you have any suggestions, etc. I'll be running a focus group with women here in the UK later next week, I might be able to share more afterwards (food for thought!).
    • Abiodun Oladimeji
      Hi Teresa, the use of technology to understand fertility, health and disease is quite interesting. It would go a long way in family planning and helping improve the health of women and ultimately help to empower women. Knowledge is power, as they say, so understanding would definitely empower us. 
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  • Eunice Kajala
    Contraception/family planning allows child spacing for other plans e.g education which may add knowledge and skills for economic empowerment.
     
    It reduces a number of uninteded pregnancies that could lead to unsafe abortions, poor health and even death and therefore less economic empowerment. Contraception, reduces the number of teenage pregnancies, allowing them to attend school/college for knowledge and skills resulting into their economic empowerment.
  • Abiodun essiet
    Nigeria is currently battling with the issue of maternal mortality, we need to create more awareness on the importance of women taking control of their health and accessing family planning. It is a very delicate issue because we want to break cultural norms and believe 
  • Angela Bakibinga
    Child spacing in so many ways helps women have the time to plan on how to fend for their family and therefore anything that can make it happen is welcome.
  • Tinashe Nyasha
    Thank you that is very true. Access to contraception just in itself is empowerment to have the voice to issues that affect my body. I decide when Iam ready to have a child and not allow the husband or his relatives to make this decision for me. It allows me time to love the other child before deciding to have the second one. As the one who will be taking care of the baby, maximum concetration reduces maternal mortality and infant mortality. Child spacing even allows women to take part in productive work where their hard work benefits trickles down to the family.
    • Abiodun Oladimeji
      Hi Tinashe, very true indeed. It directly and indirectly reduces child mortality by allowing a mother take care of a child before thinking of having another. It can also reduce population explosion especially in high fertility countries such that available resources can reach more people. So many work places in Nigeria where i'm from and can speak for prefer to hire men so that they dont have to pay for maternity leaves for women. Its also a general belief that a man can work extra hours unlike a woman who would most likely want to home to nurture he children.
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  • Ogbeyalu Okoye
    Medicine has really come come a long way. We have a choice  to make decisions affecting us in various ways. Health reasons, family planning or economic reasons all come into play. 
    • Abiodun Oladimeji
      Hi Ogbeyalu, you're right. The fact that we have a choice is definitely an extension of human freedom
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