Countries: Belize
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"In terms of access to contraceptives, the 2009 Sexual Behaviour Survey found only 47 per cent of young people correctly identified ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV. However, as much as 71.7 per cent of young people aged 15-24 reported using a condom during their last sexual encounter with a non-regular partner. The 2014, Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes (KAP) in Sexual Behaviour and HIV in Belize Survey conducted by the Statistical Institute of Belize and National AIDS Commission show this had declined to 61.4 per cent (25,995). Urban youth were more likely to use a condom at first sex (70.2 per cent) than rural youth (52.9 per cent)....more

Countries: Denmark
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

Denmark and Greenland have formally agreed to launch a two-year investigation into historic birth control practices carried out for many years on Inuit Greenlanders by Danish doctors. Thousands of Inuit women and girls were fitted with an intrauterine device (IUD), commonly known as a coil, during the 1960s and 70s (para 1-2). "A recent podcast, Spiralkampagnen ('coil campaign'), found records indicating that up to 4,500 women and girls - roughly half of all fertile females - had an IUD implanted in Greenland between 1966 and 1970. But the procedures continued into the mid-1970s. Of these, it is unclear how many cases lacked consent or proper explanation. Among those affected were...more

Countries: Serbia
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"[There is] low use of contraceptives and the lack of knowledge among young girls and adolescents about modern methods of contraception" (14). "[T]he universal coverage of related costs under the State health insurance scheme [does not ensure access to contraception]" (14).

Countries: D R Congo
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"[T]he Parity Act provides for the possibility for couples to choose a method of contraception" (12). "[M]odern contraceptives are [not readily] available, accessible and affordable" (12).

Countries: Botswana
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"Botswana has improved access to family planning services, contraceptive methods mix and access to emergency contraception and medical termination of pregnancy or legal abortion where permitted by law" (7). "Botswana has strengthened the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health programme through the establishment of youth friendly communication strategies including 'Wise Up' — a social media platform and 'Youth Counselling on Air' (YOCA) — a telephonic counselling service targeting youth. Other initiatives include community mobilization, Information Education and Communication, capacity-building, and Youth Friendly Services and provision of contraceptives, prevention and treatment of STIs for the eligible youths" (19). "Botswana has put in place key programmes to address women’s vulnerability and mitigate impact...more

Countries: China
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2, ABO-PRACTICE-1

"'I fear that in the short term, China will follow other countries and restrict women’s access to abortion and contraception as a way to force women to have more children. Ultimately, these policies will backfire and fail, but they could increase repression and crackdowns on feminist politics,' Gallagher said" (para. 24).

Countries: Kazakhstan
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"The Committee commends the State party for enacting a strong legal framework for health protection and its considerable progress in the reduction of maternal mortality. However, it is concerned about the following: (b) The limited access to affordable contraception, as free contraceptives are provided only to selected high-risk groups" (p.14).

Countries: Turkmenistan
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"Saglyk’s comprehensive content on sexual and reproductive health is our most read. There is a great demand for this information, especially among women and girls. Turkmen schools don’t teach it. Families don’t discuss it. The media does not publish stories about it. The public space to discuss this basic aspect of being human is nonexistent" (para.5). "According to Unicef, Turkmenistan has the highest mortality rate among under-fives in central Asia. According to the latest UN population fund figures only 50% of Turkmen women who are married or in a relationship are using a modern form of contraception. And across all women aged 15-49, 8% have an unmet need for contraception"...more

Countries: Cape Verde
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"Medical personnel [are not adequately trained] to ensure specialized attention and care for women and girls who are victims of sexual violence, including the provision of essential services for emergency contraception and abortion" (6). "[A]ll women and girls, including those with disabilities, [do not] have access to affordable, modern contraceptives throughout the territory of the State party" (11).

Countries: Bulgaria
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"[There is] limited access of women and girls to affordable modern contraceptives, in particular in rural areas, and the barriers that adolescent girls face in gaining access to information on sexual and reproductive health services" (11).

Countries: Cambodia
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"[There is] limited access to sexual and reproductive health-care services and information, including access to modern contraceptives and safe abortion, particularly by unmarried women and girls" (12).

Countries: Iran
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2, ABO-LAW-1

"In late 2021, a new law was passed severely restricting access to abortion, contraception and voluntary sterilization services—'in direct violation of women's human rights under international law,' as U.N. human rights experts warned." (para.11).

Countries: Bolivia
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"A campaign to distribute contraceptives was launched in the country’s nine departments, with a total investment of Bs 1,926,334. Eight hundred health professionals and technicians in the nine departments received training in contraceptive technology, with an investment of Bs 875,000; educational outreach materials (samples and leaflets) on contraceptive methods were distributed" (25). Lack of training on the correct usage may be a barrier to the usage of contraceptives (MV-coder comment).

Countries: Montenegro
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

"MICS shows that the percentage of women aged 15–49 years who are currently married or in the community and who do not use (or whose partner does not use) any of the contraceptive methods is very high at 79 per cent. Women with higher education, living in urban areas, and belonging from the richest quintile are more likely to use contraceptive methods, compared to women with a secondary or lower level of education, and women living in suburban settlements and the poorest households" (22).

Countries: Bulgaria
Variables: DACH-PRACTICE-2

“Women in poor rural and Romani communities had less access to contraception due to poverty and lack of information and education. The cost of contraception was not covered by health insurance. Individuals younger than 16 could not schedule an appointment with a gynecologist or have an HIV test performed without parental consent.” (22). “Victims of sexual violence, who NGOs stated were mainly uninsured, often did not have access to sexual and reproductive health services. Emergency contraception was available as part of clinical management of rape. Trafficking victims had access to health care through NGOs approved by authorities.” (23).