| An Effective Antidote |
 As a result of maternal death, more than one million children are left motherless every year. According to the United Nations Population Fund, UNPF, family planning methods could have prevented this tragedy. While family planning may not be a popular topic, it is responsible for the prevention of 2.7 million infant deaths worldwide. It is also the best-documented practice in reducing maternal mortality.
Although 500 million couples in developing countries are said to be on one form of contraceptive or another, there are 200 million couples who do not want pregnancies but are not on any form of contraception. For the World Health Organisation, WHO and the UNPF, this is a great challenge in public health.
To increase the awareness and the benefits of family planning in developing countries, the Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the School of Public Health, Makerere University, Uganda recently held an international conference on family planning research and best practices in Kampala, Uganda. Werner Haug, a UNPF director said family planning is a veritable tool in preventing obstetric fistula and lowering the rate of HIV transmission
“ But voluntary family planning is not only about services, it is also about empowerment, allowing women to have choices in their lives. When women enjoy equal rights and opportunities, they have the means to participate in society and contribute to peace and security. When women are healthy and empowered, they are able to deliver for their families, communities and nations. Their newborns are more likely to survive and their children to thrive, creating a better life for all,” Haug said.
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