In many cases, it is the woman who has to deal with the consequences of being sexually active with regards to contraception, child bearing and caring. 

The Fourth World Conference for Women (Beijing 1995), recognised the need for men’s participation in sexual and reproductive health by stating that 'equal relationships between women and men in matters of sexual relations and reproduction, including full respect for the integrity of the person, require mutual respect, consent and shared responsibility for sexual behaviour and its consequences'.

Although women are often held responsible for unplanned pregnancies, young women are often stigmatised for using contraception. 

This double standard can put women at risk and discourage them from protecting themselves.

Because most methods of contraception are controlled primarily by the woman, men often feel left out of the responsibility of contraceptive use. 

They may feel uncomfortable discussing and participating in contraceptive decisions. 

Women, on the other hand, may assume that their male partner is reluctant to use contraception without discussing it with him. 

Communication is extremely important so that the male partner can understand why a woman wants to use contraception and assist her in the responsibility. 

Male participation in contraceptive decisions has been shown to greatly increase continuity of couples’ contraceptive use.

Some places and some institutions require a husband’s consent to use certain forms of contraception. Such policies restrict women’s ability to prevent pregnancy and deny women’s own ability to make such decisions about their body and their life.