Steering the Asia-Pacific Toward a Future Grounded in Choice and Well-being

Ms. Sumita Banerjee, Managing Director, FP2030 Asia and the Pacific Hub.

This World Contraception Day, FP2030’s Asia and Pacific Regional Hub reinforces the overarching role that contraception plays in empowering individuals, nurturing healthier families, and forging societies grounded in choice and well-being. Voluntary rights-based family planning is critical to women’s empowerment and gender equality which are necessary pillars of social and economic development.?

The Current Landscape

In the diverse and always-changing landscapes of the Asia and Pacific regions, there lies a pressing urgency to amplify the conversation surrounding contraception. In this area, home to over half of the world's population, the uneven distribution of contraception resources is not just a health concern but a deciding factor in the socio-economic equilibrium.?

The Imperative of Contraceptive Education

Contraceptive education stands as a beacon of empowerment, bestowing individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. For the entire Asia and the Pacific to share in the prosperity, growth, and hope for the region, initiatives must leave no one behind especially adolescents and young people, persons with disabilities, LGBTI people, communities in humanitarian situations as well as other stigmatized groups, to foster a culture that respects individual choices and nurtures informed decision-making.

Through comprehensive sexuality education in and outside of schools, the societies can cultivate a generation of individuals who are equipped to navigate the intricacies of sexual and reproductive health choices responsibly and safely.

Championing Accessibility and Affordability

Our vision is steadfast — a future where contraception is not a luxury but a fundamental right. This entails fostering environments where a wide array of contraceptive options are available for all to choose from and best suited to their needs. This requires removal of social and economic barriers and the will to create conditions where everyone has access to the contraception they require.

Leveraging Technology

In an age of rapid technological advancement, there lies untapped potential in leveraging digital platforms to expand the reach of contraceptive resources. Telemedicine and mobile applications can potentially transform accessibility, offering remote consultations and doorstep delivery of contraceptives, thus ensuring that geographical and physical barriers no longer stand as an impediment to access, particularly for remote communities and people with physical disabilities.?

A Holistic Approach

As we navigate this pivotal journey, we must adopt a holistic lens, one that considers the diverse cultural tapestries that adorn our region. Tailored strategies that respect and incorporate the cultural nuances of different communities - including differing religious views, and varying political contexts, social, and gender norms – will stand central to our efforts, ensuring the sustained impact of our initiatives.

The Road Ahead

As we mark this significant day, we envision a future where every person in the Asia and Pacific regions has the autonomy to make informed choices about their reproductive health. Through a concerted effort grounded in education, accessibility, and respect for diverse cultures, we can pave the path toward a healthier and empowered society.

It is a future within our grasp, a future that we at the FP2030 Asia-Pacific hub remain committed to realizing.