State of World Population 2012 - UNFPA Haiti

What are thesocial andeconomic benefitsof a rights-basedapproach tofamily planning?Chapter 4 summarizes the social and economic benefits of expanding accessto family planning, with an emphasis on underserved populations in greatestneed. Reductions in maternal mortality and morbidities, gains in women’seducation and improved life prospects for children are among the benefitsto individuals, with broad implications for families, communities and countries.When governments prioritize family planning as part of an integrateddevelopment strategy, they make a strategic investment that both fulfils theirobligation to protect citizens’ rights and helps alleviate poverty and stimulateeconomic growth.What are thecost implicationsof a rights-basedapproach to familyplanning?Government and development agencies have to invest more resources to realizethe individual and broader social and economic gains that can be achievedthrough a rights-based approach to family planning. Chapter 5 consolidatesthe latest research on costing, which finds that unmet need will continue torise as more young people enter their reproductive years. Research confirmsthat family planning is a cost-effective public health investment. Taking intoconsideration its contributions to the realization of human rights and itscost-effectiveness, family planning is a strategic investment.What shouldthe internationalcommunity do toimplement arights-basedapproach?Chapter 6 outlines recommendations to guide future investments, policies,and programmes. Key stakeholders must recognize systematic inequalities infamily planning as an infringement of human rights and a hindrance to directinformation and services for underserved populations. Families, communities,institutions, and governments will have to modify their strategies to ensure thatall people are able to realize their human right to family planning. This workwill expand conventional approaches to family planning programmes. Theadoption of post-MDG indicators that allow for nuanced assessments of sexualand reproductive health disparities is critical.THE STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2012vii