A young woman in front of the image of an abortion pill (illustrative image).
-
Olivier DOULIERY / AFP
During the coronavirus pandemic, more than 12 million women were unable to access contraceptives.
This removal caused 1.4 million unwanted pregnancies, calculated the UN agency UNFPA, in a report released on Thursday.
These 12 million women live in 115 countries.
The pandemic has prevented them from accessing family planning services, said the statement from the United Nations lead agency in charge of sexual and reproductive health issues.
Travel restrictions
“Pregnancies don't stop during pandemics or crises.
We must ensure that women and girls have uninterrupted access to life-saving contraceptives and maternal health drugs, ”UNFPA Director Natalia Kanem said in the statement.
"The devastating impact of Covid-19 on the lives of millions of women and girls over the past year underscores how vital it is to ensure the continuity of reproductive health services," she said. insisted.
According to the report, access to contraceptives was impaired in 2020 because women redirected their financial resources, due to restrictions on travel.
According to data collected by the UN agency, the difficulties in accessing family planning programs were especially noted during the months of April and May.
Health
Emergency contraception: A new campaign to better inform young people
Health
Free contraception for minors under 15 comes into force
Women's health
World
Pregnancy
Contraception