In her message for the Day, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Natalia Kanem took that a step further, saying: "Family planning is not only a matter of human rights; it is also central to women's empowerment, reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development."
Yet, in developing regions, the UNFPA chief pointed out that some 214 million women still lack safe and effective family planning, for reasons ranging from lack of information or services to lack of support from their partners or communities.
"This threatens their ability to build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities," she explained.