Author: Haley Lickstein

Haley Lickstein is a political and lifestyle creator, strategist, activist and public speaker. On a mission to empower young people—especially women—to shape the future, champion reproductive justice and drive meaningful change, Lickstein’s content focuses on bridging political conversations with cultural moments and covers the real impact current events have on young people. Her platforms reach a highly engaged Gen Z and millennial audience, with a combined following of 150k+. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from American University and lives in Washington, D.C.

What 200 Gen Z Women Told Me About Birth Control Should Alarm Every Woman in America

Birth control is the single most powerful tool for women’s economic mobility and autonomy in modern history. It changed everything: When women could plan if, when and with whom they wanted to have children, college enrollment soared, dropout rates fell and poverty rates declined. The ability to access contraception has been directly tied to women’s ability to stay in school, build careers and make decisions about their own futures.

So why, in 2025, are we finding ourselves in a messaging war on birth control?