Stigma, funding cuts and the Iran war put contraception out of reach for Africa’s girls
Teen pregnancy became a reality for Zimbabwean Kelly Nhedega at 16, disrupting her plans to finish school, become a nurse and start a family. The stigma of seeking contraception at a busy local clinic, where others might judge or inform her parents, kept her away. Nhedega recently obtained contraceptives privately, hoping to return to school.
The situation of adolescent girls in Africa highlights that challenges extend beyond the availability of contraceptives. Parental opposition, restrictive policies, societal stigma, and fear of being seen at a clinic can prevent girls from accessing contraceptive services, despite governments' efforts to compensate for shrinking foreign aid.
Contraception is vital for preventing unintended pregnancies and associated risks, especially given Africa's high maternal mortality rates. Globally, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that aid cuts will result in a $185 million funding gap for contraceptives this year. Approximately 1,400 reproductive health service facilities have closed worldwide by December, including 1,175 in Africa, leaving an estimated 5.9 million women without services.
Organizations like Population Services Zimbabwe, which operates mobile clinics providing contraceptives, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, counseling, and sexual and reproductive health information to adolescents, are struggling due to reduced international aid. A five-year $9 million grant lost due to the Trump administration's dismantling of aid programs has left the organization with limited resources.
The Swedish government's recent withdrawal of development assistance to several African countries, prioritizing Ukraine instead, has further exacerbated the funding crisis. Despite Zimbabwe's spending on contraceptives since 2022 and a pledge for additional funding in 2026 and 2027, the availability of contraceptives does not guarantee that adolescents will access them.
In Zambia, Inonge Wina Chinyama, director at MSI Zambia, notes that parental consent rules can create uncertainty, further compounding the issue.
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