New York (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation partner to develop contraceptive and health access for women in low- and middle-income nations.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the European Union (EU) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reported they are developing new financing instruments to accelerate access to health products, including safe, effective and affordable contraceptive and maternal health medications. These will permit more women living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to sufficiently meet their needs.
The announcement followed a discussion between Nadia Calvino, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships and Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
This financing mechanism is expected to be led by the EIB, backed by the European Commission. It will be backed by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, to be provided over five years.
How does the EU plan to address health gaps?
In addition, the EIB and the European Commission are designing new financial guarantees of up to €170m for gender and human development which will specify a certain volume of new products to be taken to market, incentivising acquisition to manufacture life-saving products at scale. This includes part of a broader collaboration between the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to rev investments to enhance health and nutrition in low- and middle-income countries, including via the Human Development Accelerator (HDX), a Global Gateway initiative.
“Every woman, everywhere, should have the right to plan a family, pursue an education, and follow her dreams,” stated EIB President Nadia Calviño. “Safe and affordable contraception makes this possible. We are proud to partner with the United Nations Population Fund, the European Commission and the Gates Foundation to reduce costs and barriers for women and make sure they are in the driving seat of their own lives.”
How many women lack access to contraceptives globally?
Globally, more than 257 million women and girls who want to bypass pregnancy are not using a modern contraceptive practice. Without additional resources, there could be a $1.5B budget gap by 2030 for contraceptive products in low- and middle-income nations. Currently, around 40% of low- and middle-income nations report that more than 4 in 10 service delivery points had stockouts, and nations face long waiting times for deliveries.
Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, stated, “Far too often, women in low- and middle-income countries don’t have the contraceptive choices they want, and there’s not enough being done to close that gap. The European Institutions’ leadership will make a huge difference in the lives of women and the health of entire communities and countries—because when women can control their health and financial futures, everyone benefits.”
