Expanding access to family planning has been a key aim of health and development programming for almost 50 years. During that time, important gains have been made in addressing unmet need for family planning, increasing contraceptive prevalence, and preventing unintended pregnancies. Over the past two decades, however, the pace of these gains has slowed, especially in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia.1–3 Meanwhile, an ever growing body of research shows the wider beneficial effect of family planning on improving maternal and child health and survival, increasing economic wellbeing of individuals, families, communities, and nations, fostering environmental sustainability, and empowering women.