More women control when, how many children to have - report

More women are choosing to control whether and when to have children and how many children to have.

This is the latest conclusion of Family Planning (FP) 2030's 2022 Measurement report. 

According to the report released on Wednesday, the use of modern contraception is soaring around the world with a sharp growth in Sub-saharan Africa.

"An estimated 371 million women of reproductive age in low and lower-middle-income countries now using a modern method of family planning, 87 million more than just a decade ago," the report read.

"One in three women of reproductive age in those countries are choosing to use modern contraception."

Women's preferences for family planning methods to use have also changed over the years with more opting for longer-lasting methods.

They include hormonal implants and Intra-uterine devices (UIDS) and other methods that can last as long as a year to five years.

The report suggests that people around the world sought out family planning services even during unprecedented times.

"Despite the strain, Covid-19 placed on national health systems and global supply chains, and throughout restrictive lockdowns, record numbers of people around the world continued to seek out and use family planning products and services."

Doctor Samukeliso Dube, Executive Director of FP2030 said that the report shows just how unstoppable the demand for modern contraception is.

“The past 10 years have been full of obstacles for country health systems – wars, political upheavals, natural disasters, deadly disease outbreaks, and lately the Covid-19 pandemic."

"Yet through it all, women everywhere have continued to seek out and use modern contraception in ever-growing numbers,” she said.

She reiterated that women want to control whether and when to have children, and how many children to have.