Business Today Egypt | October – November 2023, Special Edition

BT Scene
European Parliamentary Forum Unveils MENA Contraception Policy Atlas at the
Global Congress on Population, Health, and Development
The European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive
Rights (EPF) showcased the inaugural Middle East & North
Africa Contraception Policy Atlas at the Global Congress on Population,
Health and Development (PHDC’23) in Cairo. Findings from
this unparalleled advocacy and policy tool, which provides essential
information on the status of contraception in the region, were
unveiled by Neil Datta, EPF’s Executive Director, during the panel
session “Reproductive Health for All”.
The MENA Contraception Policy Atlas offers a comprehensive
analysis of 21 countries on aspects such as political leadership,
access to contraceptives, national and international policies, and
funding. The Atlas reveals that while most countries have taken
concrete steps at the policy level to ensure access to reproductive
health for everyone, more needs to be done to further strengthen
the mechanisms in place. This launch holds particular significance
as, per the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 60.5% of
married Arab women aspire to avoid short-term pregnancies, yet
40% of them do not use safe and effective family planning methods.
Key MENA Highlights
•52% of countries have initiated policy measures to guarantee
universal access to contraception. However, barriers, including
misinformation and financial constraints, persist.
•14% provide governmental websites on contraception.
•62% have made pledges to family planning through global organizations
and networks.
•A mere 6 out of 21 countries recognise the right to determine
family size, timing, and spacing of children.
Egypt scores “good” and is positioned in the light green category
with 53.1%. It has an official political plan related to contraception,
awareness campaigns at a national level and public funds allocated
to contraceptive procurement.
Dr. Abla El Alfy, the founder and chairman of the Egyptian
Members Association of RCPCH (Royal College of Paediatrics and
Child Health), remarked, “The Atlas is not just a collection of data;
it’s a call to action. It underscores the pressing need for nations
to prioritize reproductive health rights. We must bridge the gap
between policy and practice to ensure that women everywhere are
empowered to make the right choices for their reproductive health,
ensuring a brighter and healthier future for all.”
“The Egyptian government is steadfastly committed to enhancing
the well-being of women and girls nationwide. Through the
recent initiation of the ‘Thousand Golden Days for Developing the
Egyptian Family’ program, we anticipate witnessing Egypt ascend
to a ‘very good’ ranking in the forthcoming edition of the Atlas,
reflecting the tangible progress and positive transformations underway
in the realm of reproductive health and rights,” added Neil
Datta, European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive
Rights Executive Director.
The Broader Impact
Lack of access to family planning and contraception methods is
a significant barrier to achieving gender equality, as outlined in the
UN Sustainable Development Goals. It not only affects women’s
health but also hinders their socio-economic empowerment. When
women can’t control their reproductive rights, they often face challenges
in pursuing education, entering the workforce, and contributing
to the economy. This lack of access also has ripple effects on
economic productivity, as nations miss out on the potential contributions
of half their population.
The Atlas is designed to influence healthcare policies by actively
engaging stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society,
media, and the public. It underscores the tangible impact of policies,
urging nations to enhance SRHR services for the betterment
of their citizens.
The global launch of the Contraception Policy Atlas 2023 took
place at the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, on 18
July 2023. More regional and national launches are planned to further
disseminate Atlas’s essential insights. The interactive website
can be found here: https://www.srhrpolicyhub.org/
* This initiative is powered by the European Parliamentary
Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) in partnership
with the Arab Institute for Women (AiW), who vetted the data.
The Atlas was produced in partnership with a group of experts in
sexual and reproductive health and rights (see Atlas front page)
who helped design the questions and structures. EPF benefitted
from the financial support of Organon to undertake original and
independent research which is presented in the Atlas. The scope
and the content of the Atlas is the sole responsibility of EPF. Data
was collected at the beginning of 2022 and validated by the AiW. In
May 2023, a consultative process among key stakeholders ensured
the inclusion of national views from the partners and contributed
towards the improvement and ownership of outcomes.
58 November 2023
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