Plus: How Benin expanded access to abortion.
Family planning is one of the most economically important strategies for women and girls. Access to contraceptives can help women and girls get an education and participate in the workforce. Furthermore, it could reduce maternal deaths by as much as three-quarters, according to the United Nations Population Fund. But nearly 10 percent of women of childbearing age around the world have unmet contraceptive needs, and teenage girls report less access to contraceptives than other age groups.
On today’s episode of The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women, we look at the most effective ways to increase family planning services. First, reporter Elodie Toto travels to the West African country of Benin, which recently expanded abortion access. Then host Reena Ninan speaks with Samukeliso Dube, the executive director of the global partnership FP2030, which works with governments, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector to mobilize investments in family planning.
Program note: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which supports this podcast, is one of the funders of FP2030.
About The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO):
Could empowering women in the workplace be the simplest way to boost the global economy? Host Reena Ninan talks to women around the world changing the status quo in surprising ways to improve their lives, their families, and ultimately, the world. The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HER
) is a Foreign Policy podcast supported in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
HER listeners can learn more about these topics by signing up for special access to an FP Analytics policy brief on gender equality. Sign up by clicking here.
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Introducing our debut season Africa Forward, a podcast supported by Africa50 and produced by FP Studios. Introducing Africa Forward, a podcast from Africa50 produced by FP Studios. Hosts Isha Sesay and Carol Pineau explore infrastructure challenges, successes, and opportunities in Africa.
Select Awards for HERO:
- 2023 Signal Award; Silver; Public Service, Activism & Social Impact; Individual Episode
- Runner up for 2022 International Women’s Podcast Awards
