World Contraception Day is a pivotal event celebrated globally each year, focusing on raising awareness about contraception and empowering individuals, particularly women and girls, to make informed choices about their reproductive health. First marked on September 26, 2007, this day has become a powerful platform for advocating reproductive autonomy.
In Kenya, the Constitution guarantees the right to the highest attainable standard of healthcare, including access to contraceptives for women and girls. Reflecting this commitment, the Ministry of Health and the National Council for Population and Development launched the Family Planning 2030 commitments in November 2021. Since then, significant strides have been made, demonstrating Kenya’s progressive outlook on reproductive health.
The percentage of married women using modern contraceptives surged from 32% to 57%, according to the latest Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) report. The unmet need for family planning dramatically declined from 27% to 14%, marking a crucial victory in addressing access to contraception. On a global scale, with over 218 million women in the Global South lacking modern contraception, Kenya stands tall with 6.5 million women actively using modern contraceptives. This places Kenyan women among the leading contraceptive users in Africa.
These advancements highlight the growing awareness and uptake of family planning options, fostering a more informed and empowered population. However, despite these gains, the journey toward full reproductive rights and access is far from over. Kenya continues to grapple with pervasive challenges that hinder the fulfillment of these rights. Adolescent pregnancies remain a major concern. The aim to reduce the pregnancy rate among adolescent girls aged 15-19 from 14% to 10% by 2025 must be accelerated. With young women and girls aged 15-24 accounting for 15% of the population (about 7 million), it is imperative to focus intentionally on this demographic.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), a critical tool for creating reproductive health awareness, is still a contentious issue. Despite misconceptions, CSE, as defined by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is a rights-based and gender-focused approach covering essential topics like contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and human rights. Unfortunately, misinformation and opposition from some leaders, coupled with restrictive religious and cultural beliefs, stifle its progress. Persistent shortages of contraceptives in healthcare facilities, exacerbated by shrinking donor funding, particularly for condoms, continue to limit access. The retrogressive Nairobi County Finance Act of 2023 proposed increased charges for accessing family planning services in level four hospitals. Although public outcry led to its reconsideration, the very existence of such proposals shows a clear disregard for the urgency of accessible contraceptive services, especially for young women and girls.
The fight for reproductive health and rights is far from complete. While Kenya has made impressive strides in improving access to modern contraceptives, the road ahead is littered with obstacles that demand unwavering commitment from all stakeholders. Counties must prioritize the reproductive needs of young women and girls by ensuring accessible, affordable, and consistent contraceptive services.
It is not enough to celebrate victories without addressing the glaring gaps that continue to undermine Kenya’s commitment to reproductive autonomy. We must fight against regressive policies and unfounded resistance to comprehensive sexuality education, as it is the key to empowering our future generations. Failure to act decisively will not only reverse these gains but also jeopardize the reproductive rights of millions.
It is time for Kenya to stand firm, protect the reproductive health rights of its citizens, and ensure that no woman or girl is left behind in the pursuit of bodily autonomy and informed choice. Contraception is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right.
Kavutha Mutua is an Advocate of The High Court of Kenya and a Human Rights Practitioner- [email protected]
