Fifty years ago today, the first oral contraceptive pill was made available in the United States – instigating profound societal change that has seen it become the most widely used form of birth control for over 100 million women around the world. Today, 50 years on, Family Planning NT, the Territory’s foremost sexual health organisation, joins with other sexual health and family planning organisations from around Australia to celebrate the contraceptive revolution which began with the availability of the pill.   

“As a member of Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia, Family Planning NT is proud to support the new national charity initiative called ‘Dreams for our Daughters’, which has been launched for this special birthday”, said Robyn Wardle, Chief Executive Officer of Family Planning NT.  While celebrating the milestone of 50 years of the pill, it is also timely for us to ask what our dreams are for the next 50 years.  The ‘Dreams for our Daughters’ campaign highlights the dreams of four Australian charities and asks women and men to vote for their favourite dream to help it become a reality. For every vote cast, $1 will go to the charity that is striving to make that dream a reality.  Anyone can vote online on the Facebook site www.facebook.com/50yearsofthepill”.

“In the Northern Territory, it is particularly important that we reflect on the sexual and reproductive health rights we should expect for Territorians over the next half century.  Many women do not have access to the wide range of sexual and reproductive health choices that are available, particularly if they live in remote parts of the NT.  For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island women, we know there are high rates of pregnancy at very young ages and we need to ensure early pregnancy is a choice not simply lack of access to contraceptive services, or an absence of other options for these women.  At Family Planning NT we try and address these needs through education and training, to ensure that everyone accessing sexual and reproductive health services receives the best and most appropriate services possible”.
  
“As a demographer who has studied fertility patterns in Australia and New Zealand over a 20-year period, the impact of the pill’s availability on women’s ability to choose the timing, spacing and number of children they have cannot be overstated.  It has been a true revolution that has changed every aspect of reproductive, family and social life”, said Kim Johnstone, President of Family Planning NT and President of Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia.

Dr Penny Steele, Medical Director of Family Planning NT said “that in celebrating 50 years of the pill, we should also remember that the pill is not for everyone. Smokers, particularly those in their 30’s, should be aware that they have an increased risk of serious blood clots which could cause a stroke or heart attack. However as doctors we are very pleased to say that there are other excellent contraceptive options for these smokers if they are unable to quit the habit”.