To the socio-economic factors, which facilitate population growth, belongs the retirement security of the family, the role of the woman and the consideration of children as an additional source of income. As a result of the high child mortality in developing countries, the wish for more children is amplified. These can take care of their parents in case of sickness because there are no social insurance systems, neither private nor public, that could take over this task. In some societies, where women become members of their husband’s family after the wedding, the number of children, especially of the sons, determines the social rank and the role of the woman. Her rights and duties are measured thereafter. Additionally, children help in
The promotion of family planning is fundamental to secure the independence and the welfare of the women. This can be achieved through contraception.
Due to the use of contraceptives, unwanted pregnancies can be prevented and, hence, especially young and old women can reduce the risks of a pregnancy. Based on the use of contraceptive methods and, therefore, the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, the need for unsafe abortions is reduced. The risk of an infection with sexually transmitted diseases, like the HI virus, is minimized thereby also.
The use of contraceptive methods through men makes up just a small part in the use of family planning because modern contraceptive methods for them are limited to condoms and sterilisation.12
(…) In developing countries, contraceptives are often not accessible in rural areas, because the locals have to travel long distances, in order to visit sanitation facilities or clinics. Moreover, social barriers exist, e.g. opposition from the partner, the family or the community.
Furthermore, many women do not know, that there are contraceptives accessible or they have a wrong perception about the health risks of modern contraceptive