In Sri Lanka, the contraceptive prevalence rate stands at 65 per cent, with only 54 per cent of users relying on modern methods, according to the Sri Lanka Demographic Health Survey conducted in 2016.
A recent report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) highlights a troubling statistic: 35 per cent of women of reproductive age in Sri Lanka lack access to any form of contraception. This figure rises to 45 per cent when considering access to modern contraceptive methods, underscoring significant gaps in reproductive health services despite advancements made in recent years.
Kunle Adeniyi, UNFPA Representative in Sri Lanka, shared these insights in a message coinciding with World Contraception Day on September 26. He emphasized the importance of access to contraception, framing it as crucial not only for family planning but also for bodily autonomy and overall health. “Access to contraception is not just about family planning — it’s about empowerment and the health of all,” he stated. Adeniyi called for investment in contraceptive access as a pathway to achieving gender equality and improving health outcomes.
The UNFPA is actively addressing these issues by partnering with local organizations to raise awareness and enhance accessibility to contraceptive methods. Recently, the agency trained 30 youth leaders from various backgrounds on sexual and reproductive health rights, highlighting the critical role contraception plays in promoting dignity and choice among women and girls.
Globally, the need for family planning remains a pressing concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, there were approximately 1.1 billion women needing family planning out of 1.9 billion women of reproductive age. Of these, only 842 million were utilizing contraceptive methods, leaving 270 million with an unmet need. Progress on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 3.7.1, which tracks satisfaction of family planning needs through modern methods, has stagnated at around 77 per cent from 2015 to 2020.
In Sri Lanka, the contraceptive prevalence rate stands at 65 per cent, with only 54 per cent of users relying on modern methods, according to the Sri Lanka Demographic Health Survey conducted in 2016. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted health services globally, and family planning services in Sri Lanka were no exception, with disruptions reported in 5-25 per cent of service delivery by the end of 2021.
The UNFPA’s findings underscore the urgent need for improved access to contraception in Sri Lanka, highlighting its fundamental role in empowering women and promoting public health.
