Women have more contraceptive access and choice

Location: Global

More than 200 million women in developing countries report that they want to avoid a pregnancy but lack access to effective contraceptives. The result: millions of unintended and high-risk pregnancies. With a new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, FHI 360 is supporting the identification and early testing of innovative approaches to longer-acting injectable contraception. Injectable contraceptives appeal to many women because they are effective, do not require daily compliance and can be used discreetly. Yet, currently available injectable contraceptives are effective for only up to three months. In communities where access to health services is limited, longer-acting contraceptives may lead to higher compliance and continuation rates. This project is the first step toward bringing a game-changing injectable contraceptive to market, empowering women and men to determine the size of their families and to improve the quality of life of the children they choose to have.