“That basically means that 15.1 per cent of women between 15 and 40 want to access contraception, but are denied access.”
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative in Nigeria, Ulla Mueller, says the country has 15.1 per cent unmet need for family planning.
Ms Mueller disclosed this in Abuja at NAN Forum, the flagship interview programme of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to her, 15.1 per cent of Nigerian women and girls who want to access family planning services are being denied such access.
“We have an unmet need in Nigeria which is 15.1 per cent. That basically means that 15.1 per cent of women between 15 and 40 want to access contraception, but are denied access.
“In numbers, that is about four million women who want it right now as you and I sit, want to access contraception and have no access,” she said.
Ms Mueller said UNFPA needed to work more in partnership with development partners in ensuring commodity security.
According to her, a national commodity basket is being supported by UNFPA with a focus on ensuring availability.
She added that the emphasis is on making sure the supply chain works using short term or long term methods.
“That is one of the most critical things that need to be available for women.
“So if they access services, they can actually get the method of choice. We are also working to build the capacity of healthcare workers,” she said.
She also said Nigeria’s Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (MCPR) and Traditional Contraceptives Prevalence Rate (TCPR), which stood at 12 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, were very low and a major concern to UNFPA.
Ms Mueller, who called for advocacy for more women’s access to family planning commodity basket, however, congratulated many of the states on their access.
‘We also have more and more states now using the basket. so I think some of the achievements are really the FP 20 commitment.
“It is really accessibility, availability and informing women that they have a right to choice,” she said.