Access to a reliable supply of contraceptives, condoms, medicines and equipment saves and improves lives. A choice of contraceptives empowers couples to plan their families. Condoms can keep HIV from spreading. An inexpensive medication can keep a woman from bleeding to death in childbirth.
UNFPA’s goal is reproductive health commodity security, which means that every individual can obtain and use affordable, quality reproductive health supplies of their choice whenever they need them. This is essential to delivering a world in which every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth safe, and every young person's potential fulfilled, which are the goals of UNFPA.
UNFPA's Global Programme to Enhance Reproductive Health Commodity Security is a catalyst for national efforts to build stronger health systems and procure essential supplies. It is helping achieve the following results:
- This UNFPA flagship thematic fund partners with 46 countries 2013-2017
- $565 million mobilized 2007-2012
- Contraceptives worth 86 million couple years of protection provided 2008-2012
- $129 million expenditure in 2012 for commodity procurement and capacity development
- Stock-outs or sudden shortages are averted
- National policies and budget lines for reproductive health commodities are in place
- Supply management is computerized and run by trained staff
- Many more couples are using modern methods of contraception
At the first UN High Level Meeting on Reproductive Health Commodity Security, leaders of 12 countries agreed that voluntary family planning, secured by a steady supply of contraceptives, is a national priority for saving women’s lives. This work continues in programming for 2013-2017, supporting strategic and pivotal commodity procurement and capacity building in 46 countries.
