Empowering women and girls: Birth control campaign launches nationwide

The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Organon (Thailand) Ltd., has launched a campaign to raise awareness and provide accurate information about birth control, aiming to address the issue of unplanned pregnancies in Thai society. Under the theme “I’m Taking Control of My Birth Control,” the campaign focuses on empowering Thai women to access effective contraceptive implants at participating hospitals. This initiative aligns with the broader strategy to prevent and reduce unplanned teenage pregnancies, a critical issue impacting family stability, social well-being, and national development.
The campaign was launched at Siam Discovery, with a key highlight being the collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving the “Love Yourself, Be Brave” project, which aims to increase awareness about the importance of birth control, the consequences of unplanned pregnancies, and the 99% effectiveness of contraceptive implants. The event also featured a panel discussion where artists shared their personal experiences and life lessons, emphasising the importance of planning to build greater confidence in navigating life’s challenges.
Dr Bunyarit Sukrat, Director of the Bureau of Reproductive Health, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, stated, “Promoting public health is a key government priority, with a particular focus on women’s health, including birth control and quality family planning—both essential for sustainable national development. Providing accurate information and access to quality reproductive health services enables individuals to make informed decisions about having children based on their life circumstances, reducing health risks and supporting better family planning. This contributes to the sustainable development of our population while strengthening Thai society. Collaboration across sectors to promote awareness and understanding is vital to addressing these issues at their root.”
Thailand is currently facing significant demographic challenges, including an ageing population and a low birth rate, while unplanned pregnancies remain a pressing concern, particularly among adolescents. According to the Ministry of Public Health, although the birth rate among women aged 10-19 has declined over the past decade, the rate of repeat pregnancies remains worrisome, especially in the 10-14 age group, where repeat pregnancies have increased noticeably in the past year. To address this issue, the government must urgently expand access to contraceptive implants, ensuring that women in need of contraception can receive these services free of charge at National Health Security Office (NHSO)-affiliated centres nationwide.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, noted, “The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has introduced a policy to provide free contraceptive implant services for Thai women of reproductive age. These services are available at family planning clinics across 43 districts in Bangkok. Additionally, there are plans to expand the number of service centres to 50 by the end of this year and to extend service hours in areas with high youth demand. This initiative aims to address unplanned teenage pregnancies and reduce the high rate of repeat pregnancies, despite a declining trend. Expert knowledge and consultations, along with preventive measures, are provided to support this effort.”
Mr Koen C. Kruijtbosch, Managing Director of Organon (Thailand) Ltd., stated, “Organon is committed to supporting women in achieving better health every day. We align our operations with the APEC SMART FAMILIES policy, which not only empowers women to take control of their own health and family planning but also addresses changes in population structure and women’s healthcare needs. Organon (Thailand) Ltd. is honoured to partner with the Ministry of Public Health, Jhpiego (a global health non-profit affiliated with Johns Hopkins University), C&M International, and the Health Working Group. Together, through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, we work regionally and globally to advance the ‘APEC Smart Families Menu of Policy Options for Demographic Resilience’ in a meaningful way.”
The “Love Yourself, Be Brave” campaign, conducted in collaboration with the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), is one of this year’s initiatives for World Contraception Day, encouraging girls and women to access effective contraception.
“Organon is dedicated to enhancing the health and quality of life of Thai women through a range of initiatives and partnerships that address their needs at all stages of life. We collaborate with public and private sectors, including NGOs, the Children and Youth Council of Thailand, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through projects like Her Power, which aims to provide comprehensive contraceptive knowledge and services to adolescents across Thailand. Additionally, Her Power promotes women’s empowerment, focusing on sexual and reproductive health, particularly for vulnerable groups, ensuring their access to essential healthcare,” said Maymay Mitisubin, External Affairs and Communications Lead of Organon (Thailand) Ltd. She added, “We believe these collaborations will enhance understanding and improve access to healthcare for girls and women, particularly in the areas of family planning and preventing unintended pregnancies—key factors in improving the quality of life across Thai society.”
Open dialogue about contraception, sex education, and the impact of unplanned pregnancies should begin within families, as they are the cornerstone of society. At Organon, we remain committed to developing products and solutions that meet women’s needs, giving them better choices in healthcare and family planning. We believe women are the foundation of society, and that every woman deserves the support needed to maintain good health,” emphasised Mr Koen.
Those interested in free contraceptive implants can find more information on the Department of Health’s website or by adding the LINE Official Account @Teen_Club to check eligibility and locate participating healthcare facilities. Additional information about contraception is available at www.womenhealthfact.com.