YAB Reflections on World Contraception Day

MCI's Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a group of young people (16-28) providing their perspectives to our work and advocating for male contraception.​ It is a group of passionate young leaders involved in advising MCI’s staff on advocacy and research efforts, and peer educators and advocates for male contraception. In this blog post, several YAB members shared their thoughts on the importance of male contraception.

The development of non-hormonal, reversible male contraception requires significant time and resources. As we work towards this goal, it's crucial to inspire and educate today's youth to become champions of male birth control and reproductive autonomy. MCI's YAB is at the forefront of this effort. Several YAB members reflected on contraception and reproductive rights below:

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Claudia Brewer:
"As a medical student, it's so frustrating to see "sexual and reproductive health" often made synonymous with "women's health" – male contraception is an important step toward changing this! Everyone deserves to be brought into the conversation about their family planning desires and to have great contraceptive options that meet their needs."
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​Molly Ring: 
"Having personally experienced, and witnessed countless friends suffer from, the detrimental side effects of female hormonal female contraceptives, I feel passionately about the urgent need for safe, effective male contraception. I have also seen how frustrating the imbalanced burden of responsibility can be for both men and women, as well as the strain this can place on their relationships. The onus of long-term contraception has largely fallen on women since the 60s, so a means for men to share the responsibility and choice is long overdue. Giving men the opportunity to control their reproduction alongside women will be a critical step towards a more equitable health system and society as a whole."
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Annanya Sinha:
​“Male contraception is crucial because it grants men the right to control their reproductive health. For too long, society has denied men the ability to regulate their own choices. Expanding male contraception closes this gap and respects men’s sexual autonomy. It’s not just about bodily autonomy—it’s about relieving the burden women have long carried. Many men want the option to control their reproductive futures, and there’s a clear demand. Normalizing male contraception reshapes global health and promotes shared responsibility. I believe in a world where everyone has the power to choose.”
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As we celebrate World Contraception Day, we're grateful to our incredible YAB members for their passion and dedication to the cause of male contraception. Their insights and advocacy are invaluable in driving progress towards a future where everyone has the freedom to choose their own reproductive path. Together, we're working to make male birth control a reality, empowering individuals and couples around the world. Join us in this journey by spreading awareness, supporting research, and advocating for a more equitable future. Let's create a world where Reproductive Autonomy for All is a reality.