Scarlett McNally: Let’s talk about contraception

Worldwide, 50% of pregnancies are unplanned.1 In 2021 the number of women in England and Wales who had abortions reached a record 214 256, up by 16% since 2016.2 Around a quarter of all pregnancies in the UK are terminated.23 The reasons for this are multifactorial, but if we want women and girls to have as much choice and autonomy as possible we must stop being so coy about sex, contraception, and sexual consent.Age appropriate RHSE—relationship, health, and sex education—became statutory in schools in 2020. Its potential should be maximised to equip young people with an understanding of fertility and contraception.4 For adults, meanwhile, we need to reduce societal taboos and provide clear and accessible information about sex, contraception, and sexual consent.Academic, medical, and parliamentary5 groups in the UK argue powerfully for improvements to women’s access to contraception. The government launched a Women’s Health Strategy for England in 2022,4 but…
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