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:
- $450 million mobilized since 2007
- Contraceptives worth 56 million couple-years of protection provided 2008-2011
- $76.3 million expenditure in 2011, with 57.5% to commodities and 42.5% to capacity development
- 46 countries supported by the GPRHCS in 2011
- 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
In September 2011, first ladies, ministers of health and parliamentarians from 12 countries attended the first UN High Level Meeting on Reproductive Health Commodity Security. The distinguished group agreed that voluntary family planning, secured by a steady supply of contraceptives, is a national priority for saving women’s lives.
