Category: In the News

Estimates of the Potential Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 has spread rapidly since emerging in late 2019, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the disease a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Governments around the world have had to quickly adapt and respond to curb transmission of the virus and to provide care for the many who have been infected. The strain that the outbreak imposes on health systems will undoubtedly impact the sexual and reproductive health of individuals living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); however, sexual and reproductive health will also be affected by societal responses to the pandemic, such as local or national lockdowns that force health services to shut down if they are not deemed essential, as well as the consequences of physical distancing, travel restrictions and economic slowdowns.

Ethiopia: COVID-19 Limits Force Ethiopian Mothers to Give Birth at Home

Shegitu, a health extension worker, facilitates a women's conversation on family planning (FP) at Buture Health Post. Since 2006, the Ethiopia Public Health Association (EPHA) has been building the capacity of the country's Health Extension Program and expanding access to quality community-based FP services. EPHA has trained numerous health extension workers in comprehensive FP with an emphasis on IUCD insertion, enabling many women to receive their contraceptive method of choice.

COVID-19 travel restrictions in Ethiopia are forcing pregnant women to give birth at home, health workers say.

Centring sexual and reproductive health and justice in the global COVID-19 response

Woman that are members of the Nairobi Young and Old cooperative group at their small center where they make income generating products that are sold at local markets and provide personal income for the women. This income enables the women to have some financial independence and not rely on their husband, when spending money on their health and education for their children. This income also helps them when deciding on family planning options. The group also gathers regularly to discuss sexual reproductive health, and family planning options. They are supported bu DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung), an international development and advocacy organization with focus on achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Global responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are converging with pervasive, existing sexual and reproductive health and justice inequities to disproportionately impact the health, wellbeing, and economic stability of women, girls, and vulnerable populations.

Sexual healthcare efforts falter in Africa as countries focus on COVID-19

Woman that are members of the young mothers, and breast feeding women group gather regularly to discuss sexual reproductive health, and family planning options. Here they are going through a breast feeding lesson and self empowerment session. They are supported by DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung), an international development and advocacy organization with focus on achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

As African countries impose measures to prevent the spread of highly contagious Covid-19, sexual and reproductive health workers are finding their work increasingly difficult, from transportation bans to rules that could put a pregnant woman’s life in jeopardy, according to an international sexual health group.

COVID-19 pandemic cuts access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for women around the world

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on the delivery of sexual and reproductive healthcare around the world, according to a survey of its national members conducted by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). 5,633 static and mobile clinics and community-based care outlets have already closed because of the outbreak, across 64 countries. They… Continue reading COVID-19 pandemic cuts access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for women around the world

Merck Announces $3M Commitment to Address Critical Maternal Health Needs During COVID-19 Pandemic

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today a commitment to strengthen health systems affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Merck for Mothers, the company’s global initiative to help end preventable maternal deaths, the company will provide $3 million to help health systems better meet the needs of pregnant women before, during and following delivery while tackling COVID-19.

COVID-19: What implications for sexual and reproductive health and rights globally?

On the 11 March 2020, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Other coronavirus outbreaks which have occurred include the 2002–2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), first reported in 2012. Outbreaks like these can impact sexual and reproductive health and rights in various ways, at individual, systems and societal levels, and some of these implications are considered in the article.

Stories from the Frontline

FP2020 Commitment Maker Marie Stopes International (MSI) has compiled a collection of "Stories from the Frontline" to show how different countries their programs are responding to the COVID-Crisis. The collection includes stories from FP2020 commitment making countries India, Nepal, and Uganda.