Each year, on September 26, the world celebrates World Contraception Day, a moment to reflect on the importance of access to reproductive health education and informed choices. In Romania, where teenage pregnancy rates remain among the highest in the EU, the message was more important than ever. For over a decade, the campaign https://www.planificaneprevazutul.ro/ (Plan the Unexpected) has been at the forefront of this mission, offering young people in Romania the tools they need to make smart, safe, and responsible decisions about their sexual health.
Launched in 2013 by the Society for Contraceptive and Sexual Education (SECS), with the support of pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter and Chapter 4 Romania, the Plan the Unexpected campaign quickly became one of the most trusted sources of sexual and reproductive health information in the country. The platform answered over 17,000 direct questions through its Ask the Doctor section and published hundreds of educational articles, continuing to fill a critical gap in sexual education, especially where school curricula and parental discussions fall short.
In 2025, as the world marked 65 years since the creation of the first birth control pill, the platform renewed its call for open, stigma-free conversations about contraception. Despite the availability of modern, safe, and effective contraceptive methods, many young Romanians still relied on myths and peer advice instead of medically validated sources. According to recent data from the platform, only 14% of teenagers used birth control pills, while 42% feared side effects they had only heard about, not experienced.
The platform didn’t just share information; it built a community and fostered dialogue. From social media to workshops and surveys, it gave young people the confidence to ask real questions, receive honest answers, and challenge misinformation. As Dr. Elena Ucenic, the platform’s medical expert, put it: “Young people don’t need complicated explanations. They need honest, safe spaces where they can learn without judgment. If we weren’t there to answer their questions, TikTok might, and not always with good results.”
As Romania continued to confront outdated taboos and educational gaps, Plan the Unexpected, supported by Chapter 4 Romania in its mission to inform and educate, stood out as a powerful example of how digital tools, medical expertise, and community engagement could come together to improve reproductive health outcomes. The recap of this World Contraception Day reminds us that access to reliable information isn’t a luxury – it’s a right.