The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially launched the celebrations of World Contraception Day in its capital city, Kinshasa. The event was launched by Anne-Marie Ntumba, Director of the National Reproductive Health Program (PNSR), on September 26, 2026. The celebrations will continue throughout the week and coincide with the launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month next week. The global theme of this year's World Contraception Day is "A choice for all: power of action, intention, access".
According to Anne-Marie Ntumba, the day serves as a reminder of every individual's fundamental right to reliable information on general health and reproductive health, enabling them to access contraceptive methods of their choice without discrimination. Despite progress made in the country with a population of over 100 million, challenges persist. There are still unmet needs in family planning, with approximately 30% of the population lacking access to these services. Additionally, stockouts of contraceptives occur due to various reasons, including geographical and financial barriers.
The Ministry of Health, through the Universal Health Coverage and PNSR, aims to strengthen the quality of healthcare providers, improve community services, and secure the availability of contraceptive products. Anne-Marie Ntumba emphasized the need for mobilization from all stakeholders, including the government, technical and financial partners, healthcare professionals, civil society, community and religious leaders, media, and young people.
Fidèle Mbadu, Director of the National Adolescent Health Program (PNSA), highlighted that contraception is often surrounded by myths and rumors. He stressed the importance of providing scientifically-based information to enable adolescents and young people to make informed choices. Mbadu encouraged young people to get involved, participate, and access accurate information to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
The celebrations of World Contraception Day in the DRC aim to raise awareness about the importance of reproductive health and family planning. The event seeks to promote access to contraceptive methods and reliable information, particularly among vulnerable populations such as adolescents, women, and young people. The DRC has a high unmet need for family planning, and addressing this challenge is crucial to improving reproductive health outcomes.
The launch of World Contraception Day celebrations in Kinshasa was attended by various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, community leaders, and young people. The event provided a platform for discussions on the challenges and opportunities in promoting reproductive health and family planning in the DRC. Participants emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach to address the complex issues surrounding reproductive health.
The DRC's efforts to promote reproductive health and family planning are ongoing, with a focus on strengthening healthcare systems and improving access to contraceptive methods. The celebrations of World Contraception Day serve as a reminder of the importance of continued efforts to promote reproductive health and well-being, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Key points
- The Democratic Republic of Congo launches World Contraception Day celebrations to promote reproductive health and family planning.
- The country still faces challenges in meeting the family planning needs of its population, with approximately 30% of people lacking access to these services.
- The Ministry of Health aims to strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to contraceptive methods to address the unmet needs in family planning.
