Health extension worker Aminaa explains family planning to a client at a health post in the Oromia region of Ethiopia.

Credit: Linda Suttenfield/Pathfinder International

More than 222 million women in developing countries want to delay or avoid pregnancy but are not using a modern method of family planning.

By enabling women to time and space their pregnancies at healthy intervals, family planning could reduce maternal deaths by 30 percent and child deaths by 28 percent globally. Furthermore, family planning is recognized as a highly cost-effective development intervention to promote healthy families, increase opportunities for economic development, and enable strong and vibrant nations.

World Contraception Day 2014 draws attention to the importance of expanding access to modern methods of contraception through voluntary family planning programs.

Small, light, and easy to use, Sayana Press is well-suited for community health workers.

Credit: PATH/Patrick McKern

Five Game Changing Innovations in Contraception

The U.S. Agency for Intenational Development (USAID) has supported the development of essentially every modern contraceptive available today, both in the U.S. and abroad. Read this blog post on five promising new innovations in contraception by Ellen Starbird, USAID’s Director of the Office of Population and Reproductive Health.

• Read the Impact blog post.

World Contraception Day Twitter Chat

Join USAID in a World Contraception Day Twitter chat hosted by Women Deliver at 11 a.m. EST on September 26.

• Follow the hashtag #WCDchat and @USAIDGH to join the conversation! You can also participate throughout the day using the hashtag #WCD2014.

A religious leader takes part in a women’s family planning group counselling session as part of Marie Stopes Uganda’s Outreach activities at Kikoma Health Centre, Mubende district, Uganda.

Credit: Asaph Kamukama/Marie Stopes Uganda

Photo Album: Expanding Access to Modern Contraception

In honor of World Contraception Day 2014, USAID held a call for photos taken around the world that tell the story of family planning’s positive impact on women, their families, and their communities.

• View the photos on Facebook and share your favorite!

Senator Bill Frist on Why Family Planning Matters

Senator Bill Frist explains why he thinks expanding access to voluntary family planning is crucial to improve the lives of women, children, and families across the globe.

• Watch the video of Senator Bill Frist discussing family planning.

New Country Briefs Highlight Impact of Family Planning

USAID through the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, has published 20 country briefs outlining how access to modern methods of contraception has saved lives and improved health outcomes among women. Don’t miss the updated “Contraceptives Save and Improve Lives” infographic showcasing the impact of USAID’s global family planning programs.

• Read the country briefs.
• View the “Contraceptives Save and Improve Lives” [PDF, 2.47MB] infographic.

The Last Mile Photo Blog

For any health program to be successful, products must be available at health facilities. The USAID | DELIVER PROJECT’s photo blog shows how the project works to deliver contraceptive supplies through “the last mile” and into the hands of clients.

• Explore the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT’s photo blog.