United States initiative to dismantle birth control devices causes public outcry

United States initiative to dismantle birth control devices causes public outcry

In a surprising turn of events, contraceptives worth $9.7 million, funded by U.S. taxpayers and intended for some of the world's poorest countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are planned to be incinerated in France at the end of July.

The contraceptives, which have expiration dates ranging from April 2027 to September 2031, are currently stored in a warehouse in the Belgian city of Geel. The Trump administration's policy, which prohibits providing aid to non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortions, has led to this situation.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire described the contraceptives plan as "the epitome of waste, fraud and abuse". Democratic Senator Brian Schatz and Senator Shaheen have introduced a bill aiming to prevent further U.S. aid being wasted in such a manner.

Reproductive health organizations, including the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC), MSI Reproductive Choices, and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), have been vocal in their opposition to the destruction of these contraceptives. MSI's advocacy director, Sarah Shaw, described the plan as "an ideological assault on reproductive rights, and one that is already harming women". The IPPF described it as "an intentional act of reproductive coercion". Doctors Without Borders (MSF) called it a "callous waste".

The RHSC and other partners have urged stakeholders to act immediately to free up significant volumes of supplies from the regional storage hubs in Belgium (and Dubai), to avoid meaningless waste and prevent harm to supply chains serving vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries.

MSI Reproductive Choices has offered to purchase, repackage, and manage logistics of the contraceptives at their own expense, ensuring the products reach women and girls in need, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa refugee camps and crisis zones. However, these offers have so far been rejected. The Belgian government is exploring temporary relocation solutions to prevent the destruction of the contraceptives.

The destruction of these contraceptives is expected to have devastating consequences. Global health advocates argue that destroying these supplies threatens to cause a ripple effect leading to increased unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths, as well as supply chain disruptions that would take significant time and funding to resolve.

Notable figures, such as French Green leader Marine Tondelier, have added their voices to the cause. Tondelier signed an open letter calling on President Emmanuel Macron to stop the contraceptives from being destroyed, stating that France cannot be complicit, even indirectly, in retrograde policies.

It is important to note that no HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed. The Mexico City Policy, which restricts aid to organizations that perform or promote abortions, was first introduced by President Ronald Reagan in 1984.

In summary, current alternatives focus on external organizations stepping in to handle logistics and distribution, but these remain blocked or rejected. Advocacy efforts are ramping up to prevent the incineration of valuable life-saving contraceptives stored in Belgium and slated for destruction in France. The destruction of these contraceptives is expected to cost $167,000.

[1] Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC) - https://www.rhsc.org/ [2] MSI Reproductive Choices - https://www.msichoice.org/ [3] International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) - https://www.ippf.org/

1. The contraceptives, meant for the world's poorest countries, face incineration in France, as per the current plan.
2. These contraceptives, with expiration dates ranging from April 2027 to September 2031, are stored in a warehouse in Geel, Belgium.
3. The Trump administration's policy, which bars aid to organizations promoting abortions, is responsible for this predicament.
4. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire called this plan a prime example of waste and abuse.
5. Democratic Senators Shaheen and Schatz have proposed a bill to prevent further such wastage of aid.
6. reproductive health organizations like RHSC, MSI Reproductive Choices, and IPPF are against the destruction of these contraceptives.
7. MSI's advocacy director, Sarah Shaw, described the plan as an assault on reproductive rights.
8. The IPPF termed it as an act of reproductive coercion.
9. MSF criticized the plan as a callous waste.
10. The RHSC and partners are urging immediate action to prevent the destruction of supplies stored in Belgium.
11. MSI has offered to purchase, repackage, and manage these contraceptives at their own expense.
12. So far, these offers have been rejected.
13. The Belgian government is investigating temporary relocation solutions to prevent the destruction.
14. The destruction of these contraceptives could lead to increased unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths.
15. It could also result in supply chain disruptions that would be costly and time-consuming to resolve.
16. Notable figures like Marine Tondelier, French Green leader, are speaking out against the destruction.
17. Tondelier called on President Macron to stop the contraceptives from being destroyed.
18. No HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed, as reported.
19. The Mexico City Policy, which restricts aid to organizations that perform or promote abortions, was first introduced by President Reagan in 1984.
20. Current efforts focus on external organizations handling logistics and distribution, but these remain blocked or rejected.
21. Advocacy is ramped up to prevent the incineration of valuable life-saving contraceptives stored in Belgium.
22. The destruction of these contraceptives is expected to cost $167,000.
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