Contraception: A Health Service and a Human Right
Photo courtesy of daysoftheyear
Today is World Contraception Day
Preventing unintended pregnancies leads to many benefits including expanding education and other opportunities for women throughout their lives. Every woman has the right to reproductive agency, to freely choose whether, when and with whom to have a child without coercion, fear or judgement. Contraception is a human right that empowers individuals, strengthens families and builds healthier communities.
Yet unintended pregnancies and unrealised fertility goals are common everywhere in the world, negatively impacting the physical and mental wellbeing of millions. To realise reproductive agency, countries must ensure the availability of reliable contraceptive supply chains, medically accurate information and a broad choice of quality commodities. In addition, women-centred approaches to contraception are key to prioritising women’s needs and experiences and respecting their choices, according to UNFPA.
In 2024, contraceptives supported by UNFPA prevented 18 million unintended pregnancies, 7.5 million unsafe abortions and 39,000 maternal deaths. Yet global funding for sexual and reproductive health is dwindling, directly undermining women’s rights, equity and agency, it said.
In Sri Lanka, while awareness of contraception is high, significant barriers remain, including pervasive social stigma, misconceptions about safety and unequal access for youth and rural populations. Recent reports from UNFPA highlight that while the contraceptive prevalence rate in Sri Lanka is 65%, a significant portion of women rely on modern methods and disruptions to health services during the pandemic further emphasised the need for improved contraceptive access in the country. It also said that 35% of women of reproductive age have no access to any form of contraception while 45% lack access to modern contraceptive methods, leaving a significant unmet need.
Groundviews spoke to Dr. Ruchitha Perera, Executive Director of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka (FPASL) and Dr. Chintha Rupasinghe, its Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health to find out about access and awareness of contraception.
How has the FPA’s mission in Sri Lanka evolved?
The FPASL began in 1953 and is one of the country’s oldest local NGOs, with a primary focus on family planning and reducing unintended pregnancies. Over the years, our mission has broadened to encompass a rights-based, client-centred approach to Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice (SRHRJ). We now work across four pillars: centring care on people, moving the sexuality agenda, building solidarity for change and nurturing our association. This means widening access, expanding contraceptive choices and advancing digital health care while ensuring that SRHR is recognised as integral to health, dignity and human rights.
What is the current state of contraception awareness?
Awareness of contraception is generally high but there are significant disparities across districts and socio-cultural backgrounds. Urban populations tend to have greater access to information, while rural and estate communities still face knowledge gaps. Young people and unmarried women, in particular, often lack accurate, practical information and face barriers to accessing services. These disparities highlight the ongoing need for inclusive awareness and education efforts.
What social barriers do people face in accessing contraception?
Stigma and judgment around premarital sexuality remain major challenges, along with misconceptions about side effects and infertility. Cultural conservatism, gender power imbalances and sometimes even provider bias limit women’s ability to make independent choices. Geographic and economic barriers also persist, especially in underserved districts. Addressing these requires not just services but also advocacy, education and cultural change.
What are common myths about contraception?
Some of the most common myths include beliefs that contraception causes infertility or cancer, that intrauterine devices are unsafe or that contraception is only meant for married women. Others falsely believe that traditional methods provide full protection against pregnancy. Through community education, counselling, and social media campaigns, we provide clear, evidence-based information to counter these misconceptions.
How does the FPASL promote male engagement in family planning?
FPASL has a long history of involving men, beginning with the introduction of Sri Lanka’s first condom brand, Preethi, in the 1970s. Today, we continue this work through workplace awareness programmes, couples counselling and targeted campaigns that challenge harmful gender norms. Our social enterprise now offers more than seven condom brands customised to choices and making them widely available across through pharmacies and other vendor options.
How is technology improving your health outreach efforts?
Digital health solutions are transforming how we reach people. From teleconsultations and SMS reminders to social media awareness campaigns and online counselling platforms, technology allows us to provide confidential, accessible services, especially for youth and working populations. It also helps us collect feedback and tailor our outreach to community needs.
What is your message for World Contraception Day?
Our message is clear: contraception is both a health service and a human right. Every person deserves accurate information, a range of safe and affordable options and the dignity to decide freely about their reproductive future. Contraception is not only about preventing pregnancy – it is about empowering individuals, strengthening families and shaping healthier communities.
