>The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation seeks to launch trials of a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) designed to prevent pregnancy for up to eight (8) years in Kenya
By Fortune Madondo
For the first time in human history, a single contraceptive will prevent pregnancy for eight (8) full years, and it’s being launched right here in Africa, Kenya to be specific.
IUDs
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) are small, T-shaped devices inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
“A new revolutionary hormonal IUD designed for affordability and a user-centered experience is being launched in Kenya, Nigeria, and possibly India,” said Dr Anita Zaidi, head of the Gates Foundation, Gender Equality Division.
How does it work?
This long-acting device, inserted into the uterus, slowly releases a synthetic hormone called progestin. Progestin prevents pregnancy primarily by inhibiting ovulation (preventing the release of eggs), thickening cervical mucus (making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus), and thinning the uterine lining (making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant).
Launchers
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has confirmed that it is rolling out this revolutionary hormonal IUD in Kenya, as well as in Nigeria and possibly India. The initiatives, according to Zaidi, are part of the Gates Foundation’s US$2.5 billion elevating research and development exclusively focused on women’s health.
Sexual Health Reproductive Rights
According to Anita Zaidi, head of the Foundation’s Gender Equality Division, this move is about empowering women with safer, longer-lasting options.” And accordingly, this so-called revolutionary contraceptive pill will offer women unprecedented control over their reproductive health. And as Melinda Gates puts it:
“Contraceptives are one of the most powerful tools we have. It puts the power in the hands of young girls and women to plan their families, and quite honestly, to plan their futures.”
Priority Areas of Revolutionary IUD
This revolutionary IUD, according to the Gates Foundation, prioritizes five key areas, especially in low- and middle-income countries. These five-priority areas are: firstly, improving maternal health, including obstetric care; secondly, understanding gut health and nutrition; thirdly, improving gynecological and menstrual health; fourthly, expanding contraceptive options; and last but not least, addressing sexually transmitted infections in women.
Developmental Benefits
Zaidi said the funding builds on the foundation’s 25-year legacy in maternal and child health, to end preventable deaths of mothers and babies, eliminate deadly infectious diseases, and lift millions out of poverty by 2045.
“Today, women’s health issues are still misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or ignored. Although women generally live longer than men, they spend 25 per cent more of their lives in poor health. The $2.5 billion commitment_ (by Gates Foundation) _aims to centre women’s needs in a cutting-edge research agenda, particularly for those in underserved communities,” said Women’s Health Innovations Director, Ru-fong Joanne Cheng.
Therefore, the reasoning is that from such initiatives, millions of women stand to benefit from greater reproductive autonomy, contributing to improved health outcomes, economic stability, and gender equality across communities.
The Concern
While such population control measures are receiving praise from some quarters, other schools of thought are not impressed. Concerns, valid ones, are being raised about the social, ethical, and economic implications of such externally funded family planning initiatives in Africa. The argument is that these externally imposed population control initiatives are far from being well-intentioned.
The argument is that the continent of Africa is being used as a testing ground for global health innovations, noting that similar large-scale rollouts are not at all seen being done in other parts or continents of the world… and the question is why Africa? Is population growth only in Africa? Is adolescent pregnancy only in Africa?
Taking Away Africa’s Advantage
Critics argue that the new programme not only focuses on population control but also risks taking away one of Africa’s major advantages: its growing population. And a growing population, if used properly, is the springboard for economic growth and development, which is exactly what Africa needs at the moment. And that one advantage, a prerequisite for growth and development, is being wiped away by these externally generated population control initiatives.
Sterilizing A Continent
Other schools of thought are far from being impressed by these initiatives, which seem to serve nothing but an ulterior population control agenda. As a result, such initiatives are viewed as nothing but attempts to sterilize and control population growth on the continent of Africa. It is a fact that Africa has a young population, and so is the world’s fastest-growing economy. Western populations are dwindling, which means young and growing population regions will have more economic power (if used as should be), but because certain forces do not want that happening, boom, an eight (8) year pregnancy-preventing pill is introduced. Imagine if one (1) million women in any African nation take that eight (8) year contraceptive, definitely, the effects on population growth are going to be tremendous.
Controlling Migration
Other observers point out the dangers of unchecked, outrageous population growth in Africa. As Africa grows amid its economic struggles its poverty, many Africans are choosing to migrate to the so-called developed countries, hence putting a lot of pressure on the developed countries’ facilities and resources. Therefore, the developed world wants to control such migration, limit its numbers by controlling African population growth, and effectively prevent migration from their ends… so the reasoning goes. Such population control forces reckon that Africa and Africans on their own are not able to control it (population growth). This is because most of Africa believes in procreation and expansion.
Too many people, not Africa’s problem
Claims that Africa is “overpopulated” are often pushed by Western governments and Non- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as part of population control agendas— especially so, in resource-rich regions with high birth rates. This is in line with the colonial thinking that fewer Africans means easier exploitation of land and resources. But the truth is that too many people are not Africa’s problem, but too much foreign exploitation and poor governance.
F. Madondo (African Teacher)
