I was reading this article on contraception and climate change-http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10355608-54.html and I'm not quite sure what to think. For starters the words 'population control' always raise a bit of a red flag for me. I realize the intentions behind this idea are good, but it can be just a short jump from population control to China's one child policy to eugenics.
I don't think simply providing contraceptives to third world countries is the answer. The answer lies in education and empowerment of women and girls. Let's face it, Planned Parenthood could put a free contraceptive kiosk on every street corner in Kabul, but it wouldn't do any good. Under Taliban rule a woman is not allowed to leave her house without her husband or a male relative. How is she going to get these depo shots in the first place? And I seriously doubt the same men who think it is okay to publicly beat a woman for laughing in public are going to be lining up for free condoms. How are we going to get birth control to women who don't even have legal recourse when they are raped? When these same women can get sentenced to death by stoning for adultery because they were raped? When young girls can be sold or traded to pay off debt? While there is still female castration? What good is free birth control going to be for these women? Education and empowerment are the keys.
Peace,
Wendy
