Lusaka, September 26, 2025 — The Ministry of Health has announced that the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) for modern methods among married women in Zambia has reached 52%, a significant stride in the nation’s reproductive health agenda.
Speaking during a media briefing in commemoration of World Contraception Day falls annually on 26th September , Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi emphasized that access to contraception is not only a health intervention but a cornerstone of gender equality, education, and economic development.
“Access to contraception goes beyond health—it’s fundamental to enabling girls to stay in school, empowering women to make informed life choices, and unlocking broader economic growth,” said Dr. Lishimpi.
To support this progress, the government has increased its domestic funding for reproductive health commodities to $4.5 million for 2025, a 67% increase from 2023. Dr. Lishimpi noted that this funding boost is part of a deliberate strategy to address systemic challenges, including funding constraints and supply chain inefficiencies.
He further highlighted the life-saving potential of sustained investment in family planning, stating that by 2026, Zambia could prevent over 730,000 unintended pregnancies, nearly 1,000 maternal deaths, and more than 17,000 child deaths.
Delivering remarks at the same event, UNFPA Zambia Country Representative Seth Broekman said this year’s World Contraception Day, themed “A Choice for All: Agency, Intention, Access,” underscores the need for reliable supply chains, expanded contraceptive options, and concerted efforts to combat misinformation surrounding reproductive health.
Mr. Broekman shared that in 2024 alone, UNFPA-supported reproductive health supplies globally prevented 18 million unintended pregnancies, 7.5 million unsafe abortions, and 39,000 maternal deaths.
Despite global progress, he said an estimated 257 million women worldwide who wish to avoid pregnancy are not using safe, modern contraceptive methods, due to barriers such as limited knowledge, physical distance, and unavailability of services.
“The global rate of unintended pregnancies has declined by nearly 20%, and the number of women using modern contraceptives has doubled,” Broekman noted. “But more work remains—especially among young people and the most vulnerable populations.”
He pointed out that adolescent fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa remains high, with 118 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19. In Zambia, only 34% of sexually active girls and 53% of boys aged 15–24 use condoms, indicating a critical gap in youth-focused reproductive health services.
By Samuel Mbewe
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