How US policy affects women’s empowerment in poor countries

In sub-Saharan Africa, total fertility rates are almost double those of any other region. This project examines the effects of a reduction in contraceptive supply in Ghana, resulting from US funding cuts. Researchers assess impacts on pregnancy, abortion, and births. Results find that as a result of a 10-16% reduction of contraceptive availability, there was a 10% increase in traditional methods for preventing pregnancy (which was insufficient). While some nonpoor women induced abortion to offset unwanted pregnancies, poor women experienced increases in realized fertility by 7%–10%.