US Plan to destroy Contraceptives Threatens Women’s Lives in Kenya
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Women in low-income Kenyan neighbourhoods face unsafe abortions and increased maternal deaths due to the US government’s plan to destroy stockpiles of contraceptives, experts have told openDemocracy.
After it was previously reported that $9.7m of intrauterine devices, hormonal implants and birth control pills earmarked for countries in Africa are sitting in a warehouse in Belgium, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in November confirmed that a further 20 truckloads of contraceptives are being held in an unknown location in another Belgian village. Some products have become unusable due to poor storage.
all the contraceptives were intended for family planning and reproductive health initiatives in Kenya,the Democratic Republic of the Congo,Tanzania,Zambia,and Mali.These initiatives were previously supported by the United states Agency for International Growth, which Donald Trump dismantled this year.
His administration’s decision to destroy the products – despite philanthropic organisations offering to buy and transport them without cost to the US – will leave 1.4 million women and girls without access to birth control according to the IPPF,a UK-based non-governmental organisation that promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights globally. the NGO estimates that this will result in about 170,000 unintended pregnancies and 56,000 unsafe abortions.
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This plan is in line with Project 2025, a draconian policy framework authored by the US far-right think tank Heritage Foundation ahead of Trump’s second presidency, which seeks to reshape the US federal government and implement right-wing policies globally. One of the framework’s objectives involves limiting sexual reproductive rights around the world,including by reinstating the global gag order,which prevents US aid from going to foreign organisations that “provide abortion services,information,counselling,referrals or advocacy”.
The impact of this ban is already being felt around the world, as services delivered by health facilities and organisations that provide sexual and reproductive healthcare are disrupted. In low-income areas in Kenya, where there are already shortages in contraceptives due to health facilities being crippled by the gradual closure of USAID, the effect of the contraceptives in Belgium being destroyed wi
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USAID Funding Cuts Threaten family Planning Access in Kenya
In late 2023, the United States Agency for International development (USAID) significantly reduced funding for family planning programs in Kenya, raising concerns about access to reproductive healthcare services. This decision, stemming from the Trump administration’s policies and continued under the Biden administration, has prompted a response from the Kenyan government and sparked debate about donor dependency within the country’s healthcare system.
Impact on family Planning Services
The cuts primarily affected programs focused on providing contraceptives, counseling, and related reproductive health services.Organizations like Jhpiego, a global health non-profit affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, and the Population Council were forced to scale back operations. This reduction in funding directly impacts the availability of family planning services, notably for vulnerable populations in rural areas and urban slums.
Njeri, a resident of Ruaraka, Nairobi, shared her experience with The Guardian, stating that the local clinic she relied on for affordable contraceptives had experienced shortages following the funding cuts.She expressed concern that these shortages would lead to unintended pregnancies and hinder women’s ability to plan their families. Source: The Guardian
Specific Program Reductions
USAID’s funding supported a range of family planning initiatives in Kenya, including:
- Distribution of contraceptives (pills, condoms, injectables, implants).
- Training of healthcare workers in family planning methods.
- Public awareness campaigns promoting family planning.
- Strengthening of healthcare infrastructure to deliver family planning services.
Kenyan Government Response
Despite the concerns raised by individuals like Njeri and organizations on the ground, Dr. Albert Ndwiga, the National Family Planning Program manager at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, asserted that there was “no immediate risk” from the USAID cuts. He stated that the Kenyan government had developed a policy brief outlining measures to address the situation.source: The Guardian
The Ministry of Health’s plan focuses on reducing reliance on donor funding through:
- Building “local ownership” of healthcare programs.
- Diversifying funding sources beyond USAID.
- Strengthening administrative and technological capacities within the health system.
The Issue of Donor Dependency
The USAID funding cuts have highlighted Kenya’s long-standing dependence on donor funding for its healthcare sector. Critics argue that this reliance makes the country vulnerable to external policy changes and hinders the development of a lasting,locally-funded healthcare system. The Ministry of Health’s response acknowledges this overreliance and aims to address it through long-term strategic planning.
Past Context of USAID Funding
USAID has been a significant contributor to Kenya’s healthcare sector for decades, providing substantial funding for programs addressing HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health, and family planning. The recent cuts represent a shift in US foreign aid policy and raise questions about the future of this partnership.
Looking Ahead
The long-term impact of the USAID funding cuts on family planning access in Kenya remains to be seen. The success of the Kenyan government’s plan to diversify funding sources and strengthen its healthcare system will be crucial in mitigating the negative consequences. Continued monitoring of contraceptive availability, unintended pregnancy rates, and maternal health outcomes will be essential to assess the effectiveness of the government’s response and ensure that Kenyan women continue to have access to the reproductive healthcare services they need.