Mudua

How access to contraception is changing lives in rural Uganda

Living in rural Uganda, options for reproductive care are scarce. Without access to contraception, women are often unable to choose if, when and how many children to have — putting their happiness, education and finances at risk. Marie Stopes Uganda outreach teams are a vital lifeline, traveling long distances to make sure that women are empowered with choice.

Mudua Scovia, a farmer in rural Uganda, is the mother of five children. As a widower, she explains that she often worries about unplanned pregnancies:

“I want to look after my children. But I am a woman alone and any time a man could force me into sex and I could get pregnant.”

One day as she was walking to her local health center, she heard the MS Uganda outreach team advertising its services. After talking to a team member about her different options, she decided to have a contraceptive implant inserted. With her new long-lasting contraceptive, she is more hopeful about her future.

A MS Uganda team member inserts a contraceptive implant into Mudua’s arm.

“Now I am going to be okay because I will not have to give birth to a child I do not want on my own. I think I will be fine.”

Our outreach teams are providing life-changing family planning services throughout Uganda, especially in parts of the country where access to contraception otherwise does not exist. Team members are committed to making a difference in women’s lives, just like they were able to for Mudua — who no longer has to worry about an unplanned pregnancy.

Our outreach team setting up at the Budadiri Health Center in Sironko District (Left). MS Uganda team member Sara Taaka speaking with a client (Right).

In January 2017, President Trump dramatically expanded the Global Gag Rule, a policy that bans us from receiving US Government funding because we believe in women’s choice and right to safe abortion care. In Uganda, five outreach teams have already closed, and 22 more are at risk due to the Gag Rule.

Without outreach teams, many women in rural parts of Uganda will be forced to go without family planning services. Our services currently reach women in all of the country’s 117 districts, but without solutions for long term funding, our reach will be significantly reduced.

You can help women like Mudua continue to access vital family planning services, despite President Trump’s Global Gag Rule. Donate Now.