The USA is discontinuing contraceptives, depriving women of assistance

• The discontinuation of contraceptives will lead to 174,000 unintended pregnancies.
• IPPF proposed a non-refundable transfer of contraceptives, but it was rejected.
• In Tanzania and other countries, the discontinuation of supplies will essentially limit access to medical services.

The US government has decided to discontinue contraceptives for a total of over $9.7 million, which will result in 174,000 unintended pregnancies and 56,000 unintended abortions in five African countries. This decision provoked outrage in international organizations, such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

More than 75% of the discontinued contraceptives were intended for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mali. Contraceptives that are not scheduled to be completed by 2027-2029 were ready for distribution, but the IPPF's proposal for their non-refundable transfer was declined.

In Tanzania, women do not receive more than 1 million injection contraceptives and 365,100 implants, which account for 28% of the annual need in the country. In Mali, there will be no access to 1.2 million oral contraceptives and 95,800 implants, which make up more than a quarter of the annual need.

In Kenya, where a shortage of long-term contraceptives is already observed, 108,000 women remain without implants. Nelly Munyasia, the executive director of the Meru reproductive health organization in Kenya, states that systemic problems are already negatively impacting women's health and their reproductive rights.

Last month, a representative of the US State Department confirmed that the decision to discontinue contraceptives has already been made. This occurred against the backdrop of outrage from women's rights organizations, which urged the French government to intervene in the situation.

Tags: USA/Politics/Well-being