Implementation considerations for OCPs

• Provide up to one year’s supply of pills, depending on the woman’s preference and anticipated use.
• Programmes must balance the desirability of giving women maximum access to pills with concerns regarding contraceptive supply and logistics.
• The resupply system should be flexible, so that the woman can obtain pills easily in the amount and at the time she requires them.18

KEY HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO SELF-MANAGEMENT APPROACHES

• Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care must be available, accessible, acceptable and of good quality.
• States must ensure availability of a wide range of modern, safe and affordable contraceptive methods.
• States must ensure adequate access to essential medicines in an affordable and nondiscriminatory manner.
• States must respect autonomous decision-making, non-discrimination and equality. This means that States should repeal or reform laws and policies that nullify or impair the ability of certain individuals and groups to realize their right to SRH, including the criminalization of abortion or restrictive abortion laws.
• States must make accurate, evidence-based abortion information available to individuals on a confidential basis
• States must take steps to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.
• In line with human rights requirements, self-management of abortion should not be criminalized. Criminalization of self-management of abortion may result in delays in or barriers to seeking assistance or post-abortion care where needed. Self-management of medical abortion should be available as an option on the basis of clinical appropriateness. It should not be restricted for non-clinical reasons such as age. For further information and sources, please refer to Box 1.2 and Web annex A: Key international human rights standards on abortion.