Expert Alert: World Contraception Day reminds us that access to contraception is a human right

Sustainable Population Australia

Media Release:  26 September 2025

World Contraception Day (WCD) is a day of observation recognised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFP).  The central focus of WCD is ‘a world where every pregnancy is desired’.

Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) upholds the rights of women to control their bodies.  As a result of the withdrawal of USAID, SPA calls on the Australian Government to step up and provide additional assistance for family planning in its aid budget. In Australia, women should not be denied access to contraception by health professionals.

SPA experts are available for further comment

Mr Michael Bayliss, Spokesperson and Communications Manager, Sustainable Population Australia

Contact:  0423 701 611 (from 7:00am AWST);  [email protected]

Quotes attributable to Michael Bayliss:

“257 million women globally are trying to avoid pregnancy without access to any form of modern contraception. This makes them vulnerable to unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion and preventable maternal death.”

“Access to contraception would reduce the number of higher-risk pregnancies by increasing the spacing between births and by decreasing the likelihood of unsafe abortions.”

“The de-funding of USAID has further impacted high fertility countries, particularly in Africa. This, in addition to escalating global conflicts disrupts health services and expose women to greater risks of sexual violence.”

“This situation demands much greater generosity from other rich countries like Australia. Our aid budget is lower now than it was 20 years ago, although it has risen a little under the Albanese government. We need a recommitment to the UN’s target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) spent on international aid. It currently stands at a disgraceful 0.2 per cent.”

Mr Peter Strachan, National President, Sustainable Population Australia
Contact:  0412 400 952 (from 06:30am AWST);  [email protected]

Comments attributable to Mr Strachan:

“With some exceptions, information, advice and medical support around family planning and contraception is widely and readily available in Australia.”

“For a minority, access can be difficult, particularly for those dependent on medical practitioners or pharmacists who do not see this as part of their remit because of their personally held religious beliefs.”

“For women who live is isolated, regional areas, there are additional barriers if access to a GP or pharmacists is difficult or impractical.”

“Although the ‘morning after pill’ is available at pharmacies without prescription, some Australian pharmacists have been recorded as refusing to dispense them in the mistaken belief it brings about an abortion. There is a difference between pregnancy prevention and abortion after the fact.”

“Women who are refused the morning after pill can, and do, find themselves pregnant, in contradiction to the theme of World Contraception Day – a world where every pregnancy is desired. A conscience opt-out should not be available to health professionals.”

SPA is an independent not-for-profit organisation seeking to protect the environment and our quality of life by ending population growth in Australia and globally, while rejecting racism and involuntary population control. SPA is an environmental advocacy organisation, not a political party.