• President-elect Trump is anticipated to reduce funding for global women’s health organizations.
• The impact of these cuts may extend beyond abortion, affecting contraception access and maternal health.
• A study revealed Trump's past policies led to significant maternal and child mortality rates.
• Personal accounts highlight the dire consequences of inadequate contraceptive access for young women.

As the political landscape shifts with the anticipated return of President-elect Trump to the White House, there is growing concern regarding the expected cuts to funding for global women's health organizations. Although discussions center primarily around the implications for abortion, the repercussions are poised to reach far wider, devastating millions of women and girls globally. The predicted reductions in funding may significantly limit access to contraceptives, leading to an increase in maternal mortality and related health issues, such as cervical cancer. Under Trump’s previous administration, policies framed as “protecting life in global health” resulted in a staggering study by The National Academy of Sciences which estimated that over four years, these decisions contributed to approximately 108,000 deaths of mothers and children in low-income countries.

Among the stories that illustrate this crisis is that of a 16-year-old girl from Madagascar, named Sambiasie, who shared her experience of depending on an injectable contraceptive that cost mere cents. After running out of funds for her appointment, she found herself pregnant, dropped out of school, and ultimately suffered a miscarriage. Her narrative echoes the tragic realities many young women face when contraceptive access is threatened. The question remains: Will decreasing access to reproductive health care lead to more unintended pregnancies, increased school dropouts, and ultimately more abortions? This critical issue forces us to reconsider the implications of such funding cuts—not just in terms of abortion, but also their broader impacts on women's health and societal well-being.

Refer to the original article for additional context and detailed insights into this pressing issue. Source: The New York Times