A new report suggests that 51% of women who had a termination in 2016 were using a form of contraception.
Of the 60,000 women who used BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) abortion services last year, over a quarter (around 14,000) were using hormonal contraception and a further quarter were using a barrier method (e.g. a condom).
In a feature for The Telegraph, Ann Furedi Cheif Executive at BPAS, wrote that contraception is repeatedly letting women down.
'Women who have abortions are not careless about contraception. They are not ignorant and they are not generally unable to get hold of it. The uncomfortable truth is that contraception lets women down,' Furedi wrote.
In the opinion piece, Furedi highlighted how the failure of contraception is often overlooked and instead women are given the blame for going ahead with terminations.
'Every abortion provider is keen to promote effective contraceptive use. But we do a huge disservice if we also promote the notion that contraception is enough to prevent unwanted pregnancy.The truth of the matter is that any society that values ‘planning families’ needs to value abortion services as part of the birth control package,' Furedi wrote.
While it is generally viewed that long-acting methods of contraception (e.g. injections, implants and IUDs), are more effective than the everyday pill, Furedi points out that this is not neccesarily an option avialable to all women.
'Even they [long-acting methods of contraception] are not fail-safe. And, not all women want to be fitted with contraceptive that requires a doctor to remove it, or for which they have to wait until it naturally leaves their body. Furthermore, a great many women simply do not want ‘long term’ protection.'
Ahead of the global Family Planning Summit in 2020, Furedi argues that women should be given realistic expectations when it comes to contraception, and that abortion should not be neglected when it comes to discussing family planning.
'Abortion has its place in our lives. And even if the day arrives when we have the perfect contraceptive, we will still need it,' Furedi concluded.
READ MORE: Taking The Contraceptive Pill 'Makes Women Miserable', New Study Finds