Capacity-building
A core principle of CIRHT’s work is increasing capacity for doctors, nurses, and midwives to provide compassionate, comprehensive family planning services to women and girls, including contraception and abortion care. The CIRHT focus is on academia – curricula enhancement, faculty development and research support at medical and nursing/midwifery schools – and we salute the many other organizations that work to support women and girls as well in other ways.
Examples from just this week: WHO and the Ouagadougou Partnership announced “momentum towards improved reproductive health services;” the UN’s Nigeria Humanitarian Fund will “boost the reproductive health care of at least 130-thousand women and adolescent girls;” in Tanzania “teens want straight talk about contraception” and the government’s national health insurance fund is integrating family planning into its rural outreach program; and in Egypt, where “cultural perspectives” are the most important factor in whether a family chooses family planning, the government is distributing one million injectable contraceptives.
Bicycles are one mean of spreading family planning materials and awareness(as in Malawi), as is targeted mobile phone messaging (in Nigeria, South Africa, Bangladesh and India), or home delivery e-commerce sites for pregnancy tests and birth control (as in Rwanda).
Planned Parenthood research finds that when women self-inject the birth control shot, they are more likely to continue usage, while the UK’s leading maternity doctor says women should be able to take abortion pills at home.
Other studies on building capacity: two articles in Obstetrics & Gynecology – one looking at the need for physicians to be advocates and another on creating competency-based objectives for medical trainees to provide for underserved women around the world. K4Health elucidates on a strategy to increase community health worker provision of injectable contraceptives. FPNTC released a webinar on increasing capacity in quality family planning services.
A hopeful note in The Lancet about how this new capacity could achieve an acceleration in family planning in the near future: “Adolescents and young people themselves are increasingly more active and vocal. Especially in the poorest countries, if young people have early comprehensive sexuality and reproductive health education, access to contraceptive choices alongside secondary education, and early discussions on gender norms and power structures among both girls and boys, there might be hope for a future where choices lead to prosperity, wellbeing, and sustainable futures.”
Academic
A need for overhaul of policy on contraception and abortion in India, The Lancet Global Health, January 2018
Disclosure of domestic violence and sexual assault within the context of abortion: meta-ethnographic synthesis of qualitative studies protocol, Systematic Reviews, 15 Dec 2017
Who Meets the Contraceptive Needs of Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa? , Journal of Adolescent Health, 14 Dec 2017
Trends in Health Insurance Coverage of Title X Family Planning Program Clients, 2005–2015, Journal of Women’s Health, 13 Dec 2017
Increased one-year continuation of DMPA among women randomized to self-administration: results from a randomized controlled trial at Planned Parenthood, Contraception, 12 Dec 2017
The incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy in India, 2015, The Lancet, 12 Dec 2017
Family planning: accelerating the way ahead, The Lancet, 9 Dec 2017
Pregnant women with PTSD have higher levels of stress hormone cortisol, Michigan News, 5 Dec 2017
Training Physicians in Advocacy: Why It Matters, Obstetrics & Gynecology, December 2017
Community Health Worker Provision of Injectable Contraceptives: An Effective CBA2I Strategy, Advancing Partners & Communities/K4Health, December 2017
Estimating Abortion Provision and Abortion Referrals Among United States Obstetrician-Gynecologists in Private Practice, Guttmacher, November 2017
The Dynamics of Family Planning, PRB, November 2017
Implementing the Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action Approach, MCSP/USAID, November 2017
Competency-Based Objectives in Global Underserved Women’s Health for Medical Trainees, Obstetrics & Gynecology, October 2017
Increasing Capacity to Provide Quality Family Planning Services Webinar, FPNTC, October 2017
Angola
Contraceptive Implant Discontinuation in Huambo and Luanda, Angola: A Qualitative Exploration of Motives, Maternal and Child Health Journal, 28 July 2017
Burkina Faso
Momentum grows towards improved reproductive health services : Experts pledge renewed commitment to scale up access to reproductive health services, ReliefWeb/WHO, 9 Dec 2017
DRC
Le manque d’accès aux soins de santé reproductive et la pénalisation d’avortement exposent les femmes à des décès, ACP, 14 Dec 2017
Les jeunes de Kananga invités à cultiver la paix, ACP, 12 Dec 2017
Egypt
Health Ministry provides 1 mn injection contraceptives, Egypt Independent, 14 Dec 2017
Cultural Perspectives on Fertility and Contraception in Rural Egypt, Egyptian Streets, 13 Dec 2017
Ethiopia
Men’s Active Participation in Eliminating GBV, Ethiopian Herald, 12 Dec 2017
Gambia
Jangjangbureh Scoops Family Planning football tourney, Foroyaa, 11 Dec 2017
Ghana
Don’t shy away from topics of reproduction with your wards – UNFPA, Ghana News Agency, 14 Dec 2017
Media Urged To Report Accurately On Abortion, Reproductive Issues, Peace FM, 13 Dec 2017
Unsafe Abortion, An Unforgettable Dilemma, Modern Ghana, 11 Dec 2017
Kenya
Cry of rape victims: Let abortion be part of care, Daily Nation, 12 Dec 2017
Amina, a Voice from the Red Light Street, IPPF, 27 Nov 2017
Malawi
36 Bicycles Distributed To Volunteers In Malawi, Capital Radio, 11 Dec 2017
Malawi’s former President delivers keynote speech at “Reproductive Choices to Life Chances” conference, Maravi Post, 10 Dec 2017
Namibia
Statistics show many school girls get pregnant during holidays, NBC, 13 Dec 2017
Nigeria
NGO Advocates For Training Of Persons With Disabilities On Reproductive Health, PM News, 14 Dec 2017
Nigeria Records 33 New Cases of Obstetric Fistula Every Day, This Day, 14 Dec 2017
UN set to assist 130,000 women and adolescent girls in reproductive health, Nigerian Tribune, 13 Dec 2017
Governor Aregbesola charges Nigerian parents to practice family planning, Today, 12 Dec 2017
Community health workers to begin administering contraceptives in Nigeria, Premium Times, 11 Dec 2017
Federal government raises alarm over Nigeria’s population growth, Daily Post, 11 Dec 2017
1 in 2 women using modern contraception in Africa, says FP2020 report, Daily Trust, 5 Dec 2017
Rwanda
This Company Delivers Reproductive Health Products Directly To Women In The Developing World, Fast Company, 15 Dec 2017
Family planning, a tool for gender empowerment for refugees, UNFPA, 12 Dec 2017
It always seemed impossible for vasectomy until I did it, UNFPA, 27 Nov 2017
South Africa
‘Abortion Bill suits pro-lifers’, The Citizen, 14 Dec 2017
The ‘Choice on the Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill’ and its moral shortcomings, Daily Maverick, 12 Dec 2017
Tanzania
‘Early sexual involvement puts girls at cervical cancer risk’, Daily News, 15 Dec 2017
Tanzania’s National Health Insurance Fund Integrates Family Planning into its Rural Outreach Program, Advance Family Planning, 12 Dec 2017
Family Planning is Tired: Tanzanian Teens Want Straight Talk About Contraception, PSI Impact, 11 Dec 2017
Uganda
Africa MPs want increased funding for reproductive health, New Vision, 15 Dec 2017
Here is why your teens might need contraceptives, The Independent (Uganda), 14 Dec 2017
Tumaini project gives hope for pregnant and adolescent mothers in Eastern Uganda, Medium/Jhpiego, 12 Dec 2017
Talk to your children about sex education, New Vision, 11 Dec 2017
Zimbabwe
Reproductive health critical in eradicating poverty, News Day, 14 Dec 2017
Global/General
Ohio’s Down Syndrome Abortion Ban Is Close To Becoming Law & It Severely Limits Women’s Choices, Bustle, 15 Dec 2017
Canada Summer Jobs program will no longer fund anti-abortion, anti-gay groups, Global News, 15 Dec 2017
Trump’s Harmful Attack on Birth Control Blocked in Court, Planned Parenthood, 15 Dec 2017
Doctor accused of killing girlfriend’s unborn baby by spiking her drink with abortion pill, The Independent, 15 Dec 2017
‘Make abortion necessary element of obstetric care’, Irish Medical Times, 15 Dec 2017
U.N. appalled at 30-year sentence for woman under El Salvador abortion law, Reuters, 15 Dec 2017
Guess What? Vladimir Putin Is a Pro-Choice Champion, Fortune, 14 Dec 2017
Rohingya women have suffered enough. They don’t deserve discriminatory health care., Devex, 14 Dec 2017
The Pa. Agenda for Women’s Health is a positive alternative in Harrisburg, Penn Live, 14 Dec 2017
Healthy Women, Healthy Families: Saving Money and Lives With Faith-Based Family Planning, New Security Beat, 14 Dec 2017
At Home and Abroad, Trump Moves To Broaden Abortion Fight, Frontline, 14 Dec 2017
Abortion battles rage on in France despite liberal regime, Irish Times, 14 Dec 2017
The Volunteers Helping Women Get Abortions Against All Odds, Vice, 14 Dec 2017
Half of young people do not use condoms for sex with new partner – poll, The Guardian, 14 Dec 2017
Abortion Onscreen in 2017: Portrayals of Abortion on American Television, ANSIRH, 14 Dec 2017
Court upholds Salvadoran woman’s 30-year sentence after stillbirth, Yahoo/AFP, 14 Dec 2017
Abortion clinics add to challenge of Arkansas licensing law, Arkansas Online, 14 Dec 2017
Arkansas abortion facilities threatened with suspension, Tampa Bay Times/AP, 14 Dec 2017
Irish Parliament Committee Backs Referendum on Abortion up to 12 Weeks, US News/Reuters, 13 Dec 2017
Amid Marawi crisis, displaced young people empower their communities, UNFPA, 13 Dec 2017
The rate of abortion in Australia is lower than you think, ABC (Australia), 13 Dec 2017
Culture-sensitive approaches for women reproductive health urged, Pakistan Observer, 13 Dec 2017
Feminism is word of the year, thanks to Trump, Weinstein, Reuters, 13 Dec 2017
Ohio passes law barring abortion over Down syndrome diagnosis, Reuters, 13 Dec 2017
Trump Health Appointees Receive Endangered Species Condoms for Holidays, Center for Biological Diversity, 13 Dec 2017
Watching pornography may help religious Christians change their minds about abortion, Newsweek, 13 Dec 2017
An International Update, Repros Fight Back/PAI/Population Institute, 13 Dec 2017
Forget abortion: What women in Appalachian Kentucky really want, CNN, 13 Dec 2017
The Govt Is Waging A War On Women’s Bodies In The Name Of Reproductive Healthcare, Youth Ki Awaaz (India), 13 Dec 2017
India draws flak for banning ‘indecent’ condom ads on daytime TV, Reuters, 13 Dec 2017
More than half-million complaints on Trump’s abortion action delivered, St. Louis American, 13 Dec 2017
Hormonal Contraception and Risk for Breast Cancer: Many Caveats, Medscape, 13 Dec 2017
Dáil committee votes for abortion law change in Ireland, BBC News, 13 Dec 2017
Family planning can prevent millions of unsafe abortions, Daily Times (Pakistan), 13 Dec 2017
Health experts for effective family planning to control population growth, Daily Times (Pakistan), 13 Dec 2017
PKBI receives award for family planning initiatives, The Jakarta Post, 12 Dec 2017
Even in States With Progressive Policies, Shame Can Contribute to Reproductive Health-Care Obstacles, Rewire, 12 Dec 2017
Cecile Richards: Pence Is Installing Authorities to Repeal Women’s Rights With No Public Oversight, Truth Out, 12 Dec 2017
Peer urges Irish to reject British-style abortion laws, Vatican Radio, 12 Dec 2017
5 Reasons to Go For an abortion pill, Good Medical, 12 Dec 2017
Brazil: Reject Abortion Ban, Human Rights Watch, 12 Dec 2017
India bans condom adverts during primetime TV, The Guardian, 12 Dec 2017
Banning condom ads like throwing baby out with bathwater, Indian Express, 12 Dec 2017
Abortions in India are 20 times higher than estimated: study, Reuters, 12 Dec 2017
1.6 crore abortions a year in India, 81% at home: Study, Times of India, 12 Dec 2017
‘Not going to stop having sex’: Trump’s cuts leave US rural teens at pregnancy risk, Reuters, 12 Dec 2017
Is Economics Really Robbing Poor Women of Their Reproductive Rights?, The Wire, 12 Dec 2017
Civic body carries out 356 vasectomies, crosses target, The Hindu, 12 Dec 2017
East Timor considering contraceptives ban for unmarried women and girls, ABC News (Australia), 12 Dec 2017
UK Expands Conscientious Objections in New Training Guides, Medscape, 11 Dec 2017
Return of the rhythm method – how natural contraception went digital, The Guardian, 11 Dec 2017
Colorado Proves That Empowering Women on Reproductive Health Works, Huffington Post, 11 Dec 2017
Merger Could Make Catholic Health Giant ‘Too Big to Fail,’ Threatening Reproductive Health, Rewire, 12 Dec 2017
New Study Shows Improved Use of Birth Control Shot When Women Self-Inject at Home, Planned Parenthood, 12 Dec 2017 (see Academic for full research reference)
Wolf vows to veto Pa. measure restricting abortion rights, WHYY, 11 Dec 2017
Opponents Say Texas Law Forcing Women to Bury Abortion Remains is Political, Violates Non-Christian Beliefs, San Antonio Current, 11 Dec 2017
Brazilian who pushed abortion debate ends pregnancy abroad, ABC News, 11 Dec 2017
When Citizens Assemble, Government by Us, 10 Dec 2017
No restriction on abortion in first 12 weeks, say TDs, The Times, 10 Dec 2017
Women should be allowed to take abortion pills at home, says leading maternity doctor , The Telegraph, 10 Dec 2017
Birth Control and Breast Cancer: Putting the Risk in Perspective, The New York Times, 10 Dec 2017
Abortion law campaigners ‘preach only to converted’, The Times, 10 Dec 2017
When Women Choose Sterilization, The New York Times, 10 Dec 2017
Abortion: Separating fact from harmful fiction, Marinij, 10 Dec 2017
PA House To Consider Bill That Would Roll Back Abortion Ban To 20 Weeks, CBS Philadelphia, 9 Dec 2017
Abortion, Contraception, Pregnancy: How Women’s Bodies Became a Battlezone, Brewminate, 9 Dec 2017
Justice Department Is Actually Investigating Bogus Claims About Fetal Remains At Planned Parenthood, Nylon, 9 Dec 2017
Africa:How Hunger Affects the Mental Health of Pregnant Mothers, Hope through Helping Hands, 8 Dec 2017
Your ultimate guide to choosing and using contraception, Vogue, 28 Nov 2017
Primary school children need high-quality relationships and sex education, say winners of FPA’s sex ed ‘Oscars’, FPA, 22 Nov 2017
