They presumed that women make family planning decisions without the influence of their partners, their culture, and other external factors. This presumption resulted in high discontinuation rates. This case suggests that family planning services focusing exclusively on women don't acknowledge men's often critical roles and responsibilities in women's use of contraception. Gender issues in family planning Clearly, the sustainability of family planning programs depends on acknowledging the role gender plays for both women and men in contraceptive decision making and use. For family planning providers, the expressed need for attention to gender issues often comes when women clients report that their male partners are barriers to good reproductive health.
Some men refuse to use or facilitate women's use of contraception.
Some partners continually re-infect women with sexually transmitted infections. Some women are beaten for simply raising the issue of contraception.