The present paper aims at characterising contraception as a public policy in Brazil from news matter published in two São Paulo's and one Rio's major daily newspapers. It tries to show how economic, political and ideological interests are present within the State it self and the civil society focusing the theme in a polemic way in the issue family planning versus birth control. Contraception as a public policy remains thus indefinite specially within 1984-1993. The polar discussion is re-defined after 93 with emphasis on principles defended in the Cairo Conference (1994) on reproductive rights and the right to decriminalized/legalised sterilisation and abortion.
contraception; family planning; birth control; woman health; reproductive health; induced abortion; tubal sterilization