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USAID's Family Planning and Reproductive Health Assistance Under Scrutiny

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) obligated nearly $1.7 billion for family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) assistance in fiscal years 2018 through 2020. The majority of this funding, approximately half, was allocated to African countries. USAID's FP/RH assistance was provided through various activities, including improving the accessibility and quality of family planning services, increasing demand for FP/RH services, and procuring contraceptives. However, the implementation of these efforts was hindered by the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA) policy, which required foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGO) to agree not to perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning. This policy led to service gaps and delays in countries such as Senegal, Uganda, and the West Africa regional program. Despite efforts to mitigate these adverse effects, some implementing partners reduced their collaboration with partners that had declined the PLGHA terms and conditions due to fear of its reinstatement.

Key Takeaways:

  • USAID obligated nearly $1.7 billion for FP/RH assistance in fiscal years 2018 through 2020, with approximately half allocated to African countries.
  • The Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA) policy, implemented in May 2017 and rescinded in January 2021, had several adverse effects on implementation of FP/RH assistance, including service gaps and delays in countries such as Senegal, Uganda, and the West Africa regional program.
  • Implementing partners that accepted the PLGHA terms and conditions found new organizations to fill most service gaps, but some adverse effects may have persisted after the policy was rescinded.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated implementation challenges, with implementing partners taking steps to address service gaps and reduce women's need to visit clinics.
  • USAID and implementing partners reported steps taken to address the pandemic's impact, including encouraging the use of longer-lasting contraceptive methods.

Statistics:

  • $1.7 billion: Total USAID FP/RH assistance obligated in fiscal years 2018 through 2020.
  • 50%: Approximately half of USAID FP/RH assistance allocated to African countries.
  • May 2017: Date the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA) policy was implemented.
  • January 2021: Date the PLGHA policy was rescinded.
  • 2018-2020: Fiscal years in which USAID obligated nearly $1.7 billion for FP/RH assistance.

Sources:

  • U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO): Released the information about USAID's FP/RH assistance.
  • USAID: Provided funding data and information on FP/RH assistance.
  • World Health Organization and the United Nations Population Fund: Warned about the potential disruption of access to FP/RH services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • GAO report (2020): Identified instances in which FP/RH implementing partners declined the PLGHA terms and conditions and stopped receiving planned funding.

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