Did you know that half of all pregnancies around the world are unintended?

But, right now, 218 million women around the world who want to avoid pregnancy are unable to access modern and effective contraceptives.

These unintended pregnancies upend lives. Women may be forced to abandon their education or careers, to stay in abusive relationships, and to undertake financial burdens that perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

Some unintended pregnancies will even result in death, with 260,000 women dying every year from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Many others face life-altering injuries, infections, and disabilities.

One-third of preventable maternal deaths could be eliminated by providing access to family planning — which is why it’s a core pillar of UNFPA’s work.

Will you help contribute to a world where every pregnancy is wanted and women have the resources to plan their pregnancies by making a gift today? Your donation will power crucial family planning work and other lifesaving services for women and girls across the globe.

Arek, a woman from South Sudan, had seven children between ages 15 and 32. She lives with a disability and had never used family planning because she heard that it could make her disability worse.

During her last pregnancy, Arek received prenatal and safe delivery care at a UNFPA clinic. At the clinic, she also learned more about family planning, including that it would not worsen her disability.

Today, she hopes that by preventing further unintended pregnancies, she can better support her children. Arek is especially hopeful for her daughters. “I want them to stay in school and not fall into the trap of child marriage like what happened to me,” she told us.

UNFPA is working to equip women in South Sudan and beyond with the information and resources they need to plan their families.

When women are able to delay pregnancy until they’re ready, they have safer, healthier pregnancies. This is especially important for teenage mothers, who are twice as likely to experience pregnancy complications like obstetric fistula, and new mothers, who need time to recover physically, emotionally, and nutritionally from pregnancy and childbirth.

This work saves lives and ensures women and girls can reach their fullest potential. Will you make a donation to power family planning efforts and other lifesaving work around the world?

Thank you for supporting this critical work.

— USA for UNFPA