WASHINGTON, D.C. — Individuals’ power to choose their own reproductive destiny is under threat around the world, but those threats can be minimized with greater access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 55 percent of women who do not want to become pregnant have access to contraception. A lack of access to contraception and safe abortion care can lead to significant health and economic risks for individuals and communities around the world.
Teen pregnancy, maternal mortality, and unsafe abortion are acute problems in sub-Saharan Africa. DKT International, one of the largest providers of contraception and safe abortion products in low- and middle-income countries, is proud to announce it will provide expanded solutions to these pertinent issues in the region through Strengthening Reproductive Health and Rights in Africa: Scaling Up Access to Contraception and Safe Abortion, a four-year grant funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
“Through this partnership, Sida will support DKT’s progress toward reducing rates of maternal death, unintended pregnancy, and unsafe abortion.” – Chris Purdy, President, DKT International
The project aims to strengthen the supply chain to make modern contraceptive methods and safe abortion products more widely available, expand access to SRH information and services, and improve the quality of SRH care through capacity building via DKT’s programs in Francophone West and Central Africa, Anglophone West Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique.
“Expanding access to modern contraceptives and safe abortion is critical to sustainable development, poverty reduction and gender equality. For Sweden, the continued partnership with DKT International will contribute to a sustainable, adequate and more equitable supply of quality SRH products and services through the private sector, while focusing on ensuring that underserved communities are not left behind,” noted the head of the SRHR Team for Africa Elisabeth Hårleman, at the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
DKT President Chris Purdy said the organization is eager to launch its most recent partnership with Sida, which will advance shared goals and guarantee reproductive health and rights for all. “DKT’s contraceptive social marketing model empowers women and girls to take charge of their own bodies and allows couples to make informed reproductive health choices,” Purdy said. “Through this partnership, Sida will support DKT’s progress toward reducing rates of maternal death, unintended pregnancy, and unsafe abortion.”
The aim of Scaling Up Access to Contraception and Safe Abortion is to educate and empower consumers through behavior change and marketing campaigns, support in-person and online stigma-free counseling; build the capacity of providers who provide SRH care; and leverage technology to bring that care directly to consumers beyond the limits of the traditional healthcare system. Programming targets young people and people living in poverty and works with both the public-sector and local partners to further expand SRH access for underserved populations, including the LBGTQIA+ community, refugees and internally displaced people, and people living with disabilities.
Sida is Sweden’s government agency for development cooperation. We strive to reduce poverty and oppression around the world. In cooperation with organizations, government agencies and the private sector we invest in sustainable development for all people. More on Sida’s work in sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Since 1989, DKT International’s core mission has been to provide safe and affordable options for family planning and HIV prevention through social marketing in 100 countries throughout Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In 2022, DKT generated 61.6 million CYPs through the sale of more than 1 billion condoms, 108 million cycles of oral contraceptives, 26.6 million emergency contraceptives, 34 million injectables, 1.6 million implants, 4 million IUDs, and 6 million medical abortion (MA) combipacks.
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