The number of women using contraceptives in East Africa has risen from 12 million in 2008 to 17 million today, according to a continent-wide study.

A study done by African Population and Health Research on the population and use of contraceptives in Africa indicates that among the marrieds, the number of women who use modern methods of family planning has also risen from 20 million to 27 million.

The United Nations Populations Fund report 2010 puts the population of East Africa at 131 million people.

Presenting the report at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Monday, Dr. Estelle Sidze, one of the facilitators, said awareness, education and investment were among the highest contributing factors in the use of modern contraceptives.

This was during a meeting by Africa women parliamentarians to discuss issues of leadership, family planning and reproductive health.

“Compared to other regions, East Africa is doing somehow well but more funding is needed to help more women, especially in rural areas, access the contraceptives,” she said.

According Sidze, despite the improvement, the number of women who need but cannot access modern methods of family planning in East Africa has risen from 19 million in 2008 to 20 million.

She noted that lack of contraceptives has led to increased school dropouts, death as a result of complicated pregnancies and increased cases of unsafe abortions.

The gender minister, Rukia Nakadama, said: “As women leaders, we must continue to call for investment in women and girls’ healthcare and monitor how the money is spent.”

By Mary Karugaba, The New Vision