Women all over the world should have access to modern contraceptives. That is why the Netherlands supports the Universal Access to the Female Condom (UAFC) Joint Programme. This is what MDGs Ambassador Stella Ronner-Grubacic said in her speech at an international meeting on the female condom.

Programmes promoting the female condom are in line with Dutch policy on HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The Netherlands targets groups such as women, girls and young people, whose voices tend not to be heard. Prevention – of both unwanted pregnancies and STIs like HIV – is central to Dutch policy. That is why the Netherlands is campaigning for better access to information on contraceptives such as the female condom and for reproductive health care for all. People are entitled to make their own choices about sexuality and family planning. Persistent taboos on, for instance, talking about sex need to be broken.

Ms Ronner-Grubacic said that the figures spoke for themselves. More than 200 million people are denied access to modern contraceptives. Every year more than half a million women die during pregnancy or in childbirth. She believes that much more can be achieved if the public and private sectors work together. Only then can we make real progress in producing female condoms and ensuring women have access to them.

Little progress has been made worldwide towards achieving equal rights for men and women (MDG3), and reducing maternal mortality (MDG5). Gender and promoting sexual and reproductive rights are therefore priorities of development minister Bert Koenders’ policy.

Click here for the speech of Ambassador Ronner-Grubacic.

Click here for the Universal Access to the Female Condom website.

Comments/Questions? Email netherlands@un.int