Sida awards contract to DKT International to empower women and men to determine their reproductive destinies

DKT International and Sida are proud to announce their new partnership to improve the knowledge, demand, availability, and access to quality sexual and reproductive health products and services to young people and the poorest and most vulnerable community – in 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Millions of women, young people, and vulnerable populations in the region are unable to access contraceptives. Unwanted pregnancies continue to be a significant burden within the region where significant numbers of women are unable to make their own decisions about if, when and how they will become pregnant.

With the support of $40 million (365 million SEK) over a four-year period from Sweden, the partnership will improve the knowledge, demand, availability, and access to quality sexual and reproductive health products and services to people in need.

“The Swedish government understands the critical importance of expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services and products to all in order to reduce poverty and enable women the ability to participate in society on the same terms as men,” said Dag Sundelin, Head of the Sida Regional SRHR Team.

The project expects to prevent 9.5 million unintended pregnancies; 11.3 million unsafe abortions; and 3 million HIV-related years lost due to ill-health, disability or early death (DALYs) over four years by selling more than 372 million condoms, over 20 million oral contraceptives, implants and IUDs and expanding access to medical abortion in 21 countries through outlets (pharmacies, clinics, etc.) which are primarily located in areas serving clients below the poverty line, providing quality training to providers on contraceptive methods and judgment-free counseling.

Original source: Sida
Published on 02 April 2019