Contraception: an investment in lives, health and development.

Women's ability to practice contraception is essential to protecting their health and rights. Reproductive health care--including contraceptive services--enables women and their partners to make choices about pregnancy, have healthy babies and protect themselves from infections. Contraception also promotes economic development. An investment in contraceptive services can be recouped four times over--and sometimes dramatically more--by reducing the need for public spending on health, education and other social services.