International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Women must be able to make their own decisions on family planning issues if they are to live safer and healthier lives, it has been claimed.

According to Bunmi Makinwa, Africa regional director at the United Nations Population Fund, family planning, reproductive rights and gender equality are all intricately linked.

He said there can be "no development at the national level" if individuals do not have the freedom and the means to act on decisions on reproductive health and family planning.

Mr Makinwa added: "Quality of life cannot be assured if women cannot make an informed choice and if they do not have options to choose from, especially when it comes to modern methods of contraception. This is their right."

Further action is needed to ensure that women do not die unnecessarily in childbirth, he claimed, while couples must also be supported as they plan pregnancies.

Bert Koenders, minister for development cooperation of the Netherlands, recently claimed that maternal health is a human right which should be available to all females around the world.

Posted by Martine Ward