Angola faces significant challenges in terms of family planning and gender equality. With a modern contraceptive prevalence rate of 12.5%, it has one of the lowest rates in the region.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that 38% of married women in Angola have an unmet need for family planning.
During the presentation of the World Population Report 2023, Mady Biaye, the UNFPA representative in Angola, highlighted the importance of addressing these issues.
Women make up 51% of Angola’s population, and 38% of households are headed by women.
Reducing the unmet need for family planning among married women to 19% by 2023 could have significant benefits, including the prevention of 1,300 maternal deaths, 99,000 unsafe abortions, and 517,000 unwanted pregnancies annually.
The report also revealed other concerning statistics. Angola has a high fertility rate of 6.2 children per woman, which increases to 8.2 children in rural areas.
Additionally, 35% of adolescents aged 15 to 19 have experienced pregnancy. Promoting gender equality is crucial in addressing these population challenges.
Empowering women through education and access to family planning can contribute to human capital development and inclusive economic growth.
While Angola has made progress in women’s empowerment and gender equality, there is a need to accelerate advancements.
This includes improving access to sexual and reproductive health services, education, fair labor policies, and gender standards in both the workplace and home.
These measures would lead to healthier families, a stronger economy, and a resilient society.
The report also highlighted other issues, such as a high pregnancy-related mortality rate of 239 deaths per 100,000 live births, gender disparities in literacy rates, and the prevalence of sexual and physical violence against women.
Addressing these challenges and ensuring comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, education, and gender equality are crucial steps toward achieving a healthier and more prosperous Angola.