Seeing the Unseen: The Case for Action in the Neglected Crisis of Unintended Pregnancy

Modern, effective contraception is widely — though not universally — available. Why, then, are half of all pregnancies unplanned, and many of them unwanted?

This is a reminder of how many people ,especially women and girls, are limited in exercising their basic rights. It is a sign that gender discrimination continues to wind through the lives of women and girls, as well as transgender, non-binary and gender expansive people. It points to deep gaps in rights and justice, gender equality, human dignity and broader social well-being.

So many unplanned and unwanted pregnancies raise questions about how much the rights and potential of more than half of humanity are prioritized and valued. They signal that the world could fail to reach its development goals for health, education and gender equality, derailing the shared ambitions of the international community.