With almost half of pregnancies being unintentional, let’s talk contraception
As Monday September 26 is World Contraception Day, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada points out that 48% of young women unintentionally become pregnant. “This means too few women and girls do not know enough about the options available. Policymakers, educators, corporations and even medical professionals must do more to help,” says the Society in a release.
First option: education. The SOGC offers a podcast to help women and young women learn about contraception options and how to discuss the matter with a physician. A panel of experts was gathered by The Brand is Female on Apple Podcasts or Spotify (free recording available).
The Brand is Female is Canada’s leading podcast about women leadership. For World Contraception Day, the SOGC also came up with a specific set of solutions gathered in one location: www.sogc.org/contraception/
The SOGC also offers online tools – pregnancyinfo.ca, itsaplan.ca – and partner Organon offers essencelle.ca. They provide women, particularly those in vulnerable positions, with information to help them become their own advocates.
Second option: availability. The Abortion pill is unequally available throughout Canada. It is rarely proposed in the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec, and rarely available without prescription. The SOGC is in favor of making contraceptives easier to get for women and girls Canada-wide. In many places, too many barriers exist.
Third: time for men to do more. Men must educate themselves on contraception issues and become responsible sexual partners. “And where they hold positions of decision-making and sway, men must champion progress and push for positive change.”
World Contraception Day is an opportunity to recognize that millions of women and girls need more education, better availability for contraception options, and better cooperation from men. The SOGC’s latest podcast hopes to help these women to learn and discuss contraception more openly with their partner or with their doctor.
Podcast Preview:
Episode Part 1
SOURCE: Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
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