In Zimbabwe, a mother named Getrude Mucheri walked a long way in the rain to get her expired birth control removed and to receive a new contraceptive injection. However, when she got to the clinic, they had run out of supplies. “I’m stressed. I can’t have more children. I can barely feed the ones I have,” said the mother of four who does not have a job.
Many women like Getrude depend on free contraception and health services funded by U.S. aid programs. But since President Donald Trump cut the support to these programs, the situation has become very serious. Lydia Zigomo, a leader at the United Nations’ family health agency UNFPA, said that many women in eastern and southern Africa are losing access to birth control. “In just three months, many countries will run out of contraceptives and other important medicines,” she explained.
Countries like South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Madagascar already have high rates of mothers dying during childbirth. Losing this funding will make things much worse, with more women facing unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and a rise in violence against women. It could also lead to more young girls getting married young and having babies.
In Zimbabwe, part of the health budget comes from USAID, which helps provide family planning services. Without this money, many women will not have access to needed care. Zimbabwe’s deputy health minister claimed the government has enough supplies, but service providers like Pester Siraha from Population Services Zimbabwe warned that cuts will lead to an increase in unplanned pregnancies and complications during childbirth.
Some health workers have already lost their jobs because of the funding cuts. One mother said she was told not to come back to work, leaving her struggling to make ends meet. “I’m trying to sell clothes and food, but it’s not enough,” she shared.
Groups like UNFPA are looking for new funding through other donors and private organizations, but it may take time for support to arrive. “We need steady funding to keep women’s health and rights from going backward,” Zigomo added.
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