The US government is preparing to incinerate more than $10 million worth of contraceptives—while clinics around the world are rationing care and turning women away. Destroying these commodities could result in 326,000 unwanted pregnancies, 161,000 unplanned births, 110,000 unsafe abortions and 718 preventable maternal deaths.
While the Trump Administration has cited concerns over distribution costs, viability and branding as the reasoning behind the decision, most of the products do not expire until 2028 or 2029. Furthermore, these commodities have already been paid for by American taxpayers and would require an additional $167,000 to destroy. The reality is these products are viable, already paid for, and deeply needed by communities across the globe.
Additionally, the loss of these commodities will have ripple effects throughout the reproductive supply-chain, exacerbating stockout risks in multiple countries. According to data from the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, oral contraceptives, injectables and implants are at the highest risk of stockout. These commodities are not only vital self-care components, they are critical to ensuring women’s bodily autonomy and economic mobility.
We at the Self-Care Trailblazers Group stand behind our partners in the SRHR sector to condemn these actions and advocate for the preservation and distribution of these products to the communities that need them. To make your voice heard and take action to stop the destruction, you can sign this petition and share widely with your networks.