The following opinion pieces address issues surrounding family planning and contraceptives.

Huffington Post U.K.: Hopes and Dreams: It’s Time to Act
Michael Holscher, deputy chief executive officer at Marie Stopes International

“…Contraception brings about hope. It brings health — for women and for entire families. It brings choice and personal control. And it is fundamental to the realization of individual hopes and dreams for the future. … But we have to collectively accelerate our progress if we are going to make family planning a reality for all…” (11/3).

Thomson Reuters Foundation: Family Planning 2020: the meaning of progress
Beth Schlachter, director of Family Planning 2020 (FP2020)

“…This week FP2020 is publishing its second progress report, including the first full set of annual data indicators to measure whether our efforts are working. The news is good: from 2012 to 2013, the number of women and girls using modern contraception rose by 8.4 million. … The report details the incredible global partnership that has led us here, and that will take us all the way to our ultimate goal in 2020…” (11/3).

Huffington Post: Do Not Underestimate Family Planning
Robert Walker, president of the Population Institute

“…Family planning is enormously consequential in developing countries and the benefits do not take long to materialize. Enabling women to space and limit their pregnancies reduces maternal and child mortality. In turn, smaller, healthier families improve food security, boost educational attainment levels, promote gender equality, and help to fight poverty. … [In addition, p]opulation is, and will likely remain, a significant environmental factor at the local level…” (10/31).