To achieve our mission of increased access to EC worldwide, ICEC necessarily addresses a range of issues, some of which are complicated and even controversial. ICEC supports a science-based approach to advocating for universal access and has created this EC Issues section to explore certain themes in more depth. These pages contain resources from our members, and are updated frequently.


Emergency Contraception and Youth:

From Africa to Latin America, from Europe to the United States, adolescent access to EC often emerges as an issue of heated debate. Opponents have charged that EC promotes irresponsibility and promiscuous lifestyle choices in young people, and undermines parental authority. The evidence suggests otherwise: improving access to EC does not lead to changes in sexual behavior, increases in rates of sexually transmitted infection, or reductions in the use of on-going contraception. This section includes the most recent research and articles that address concerns about EC and young people.


Legal Issues and Emergency Contraception:

Legal obstacles and challenges to EC access continue to arise in a number of countries. This section describes some of the legal issues around provision of EC, and includes resources from ICEC partners for overcoming legal obstacles to access.


Products and Access:

An affordable, accessible EC product is a basic requirement for expanding access to EC. In this section we detail some of the issues that must be addressed when introducing an EC product into a country - and describe how ICEC works with public and private sector partners to increase access to EC products.


Science and Technical Information:

Misinformation and confusion distort the facts and science of EC. Opponents continue to claim that Emergency Contraception is the same as the abortion pill, RU486, and surprisingly, many people are still unaware that EC is simply an elevated dose of regular birth control pills with a very different mechanism of action from RU486. This section provides a guide to the many technical and scientific resources available from ICEC and our member organizations.


EC in Crises:

War and conflict increase the incidence of rape and other forms of gender-based violence. Refugees and internally displaced women also lack access to health care and contraceptive services. Emergency contraception is a critical component of the care and services needed in these communities.