Access to Contraceptives in Mali Dakota Blagg

Thesis Statement I argue that access to contraception in Mali is hindered due to geography, unmet demand, and gender inequality; resulting in its lack of use. This map depicts the global use of birth control. Mali (West Africa, shown in black) has one of the lowest global percentages.

Background In Mali: As a result: 74.6% of women know about contraception 8.2% of women use contraception 31.2% of women have an unmet need for contraception Restrictive laws: abortion cannot be used for family planning As a result: Many children are unintended Families cannot provide for their children Maternal mortality rate: 1 in 28

Millennium Development Goals Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health Achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015 However: demand is increasing faster than supply

Analysis: Geography Wealthy women are 4.5 times more likely to use contraception 90 percent of residents live in poor, rural areas Doctor to resident ratio: 1 to 21,000 Versus in Europe: 1 to 300 Favored methods require ongoing dosage 65.9% use pills and injectables Poorer residents (90 percent of the population) live in the more rural, sub-Saharan area of Mali.

Analysis: Unmet Demand 1/3 women demand it 1/12 women get it The government is unable to fund healthcare providers Few women know where to find contraceptives: 50% of urban women 10% of rural women

Comparative Facts

Analysis: Gender Inequality Gender equality index: 143/146 Husbands disapprove of contraception: God’s will Farming Female promiscuity Western institution Polygamy: More children = higher status Threaten to take more wives Disincentivized from use

Conclusion Recommendations: Result: Establish more healthcare clinics in rural areas Encourage all clinics to offer a variety of low-cost contraception Educate men on the benefits of smaller family sizes Result: Lower maternal mortality Child spacing goals IUDs are low-cost, longer-term solutions.

Service Learning Human Rights Society Event: Pros & Cons of Legalizing Prostitution My role: moderator My work: researching global human rights abuses, organizing panelists for debate, and facilitating panelists

“That's universal — we all want to bring every good thing to our children. But what's not universal is our ability to provide every good thing.” -Melinda Gates

Bibliography Adams, Alayne M., Dominique Simon, and Sangeetha Madhavn. "Women's Social Support Networks and Contraceptive Use in Mali." The Power of Women's Informal Networks. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books, 2004. 31-46. Web. 9 Nov. 2014. OECD. "Mali." Social Institutions & Gender Index. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Web. 10 Nov 2014. UNICEF. "Mali." Statistics. The United Nations Children's Fund, 17 Dec 2013. Web. 11 Nov 2014. United Nations. "Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health." United Nations Millennium Development Goals. United Nations. Web. 10 Nov 2014. USAID. "The Cost of Family Planning in Mali.“ Health Policy Initiative, Task Order I. United States Agency for International Development, February 2010. Web. 10 Nov 2014.