Intimate partner violence is a significant issue globally, and recent research highlights its connection to reduced contraceptive use. A study using data from the 2015-16 India Demographic and Health Survey examines how unequal gender dynamics, marital violence, and coercive control affect women’s unmet need for contraception. The findings indicate that coercive control by partners is a crucial factor influencing women’s ability to use contraception and exercise reproductive autonomy. The study emphasizes the importance for health practitioners and advocates to recognize coercive control as a substantial barrier to contraceptive access, particularly for women seeking to space or limit pregnancies.