Family planning
Family planning has changed drastically in Benin since a 1920 law that forbade any contraception propaganda. Since 1971, the Benin Family Promotion Association, a nongovernmental organization, has supported contraceptive use in select cities and constitutes the first formal family planning initiative in Benin. In 1982, the government began a family welfare project with the aim to include family planning in maternal and child health initiatives. In 1996, about 80% of women knew of modern contraception, but many say that unless they had already reached their desired number of children, they would not use it due to rumors about the dangers of potential result in sterilization. In 2003, a law was established that states that everyone has a right to be informed and use the legal family planning method of their choice.