The decision by the US administration to destroy a large stockpile of female contraceptives has sparked an outcry, with NGOs, feminist associations and elected officials denouncing a " mess " and a new attack on women's rights. In France, where these contraceptives currently stored in Belgium could be incinerated, voices are being raised calling on Emmanuel Macron not to be " accomplice of retrograde policies“.
The information was revealed on July 18 by The GuardianCiting two sources within the US Congress, the British daily claims that the Trump administration has decided to destroy female contraceptives, mainly IUDs and implants, worth $9.7 million (€8.3 million).
These contraceptives, intended for women living in the most disadvantaged countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are stored in a warehouse in Geel, Belgium, and must be incinerated. end of July " in France, specify the two sources cited. Asked by AFP, a spokesperson for the American State Department confirmed that a " preliminary decision was made to destroy certain abortifacient contraceptive products from USAID contracts", the US Agency for International Development, passed under the presidency of Joe Biden. The destruction of these products will cost $167,000, he specifies.
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Why does Washington want to destroy them?
The announcement of this destruction is part of the policy pursued by Donald Trump since his first term in 2017. Barely elected, the American president signed a decree restoring the " Mexico City politics". Initially implemented under Republican President Ronald Reagan at an international conference in the Mexican capital in 1984, this policy prohibits funding for foreign NGOs that perform abortions or actively advocate for them. This comes on top of the dismantling of USAID and the downward revision of American international aid, which was cut by some $9 billion on July 18.
Interviewed by The Guardian, the US State Department justified its decision by citing the " Mexico City politics"He also highlighted the issue of product expiry dates – but according to press reports, contraceptives actually expire between April 2027 and September 2031.
What are the alternatives to destruction?
The international organization MSI Reproductive Choices announced that it had proposed " to purchase, repackage and manage logistics "at his expense" ensuring that products reach people in need " - but " These efforts have been repeatedly rejected“.
The same proposal was made – without success – by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), which had said it was ready to " collect the products in Brussels, transport and repackage them in its warehouse in the Netherlands, and then distribute them to women in need around the world, all at no cost to the U.S. government“.
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, indicated to AFP that it had " initiated diplomatic efforts with the United States Embassy in Brussels " and be in the process of "explore all possible avenues to avoid the destruction of these products, including temporary relocation solutions“.
What are the reactions?
In the United States, Democratic Senator from New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen denounced a " mess " and presented, with the Democratic senator of Hawaii, Brian Schatz, a bill to prevent their destruction.
On the side of feminist associations, the IPPF denounced an act of " intentional reproductive coercion " in a manifesto also signed by the French Family Planning Association. " France has a moral responsibility to act; a government that proudly enshrines the right to abortion in its Constitution must also work to protect contraception and the rights of young girls beyond its borders.", said Sarah Durocher, president of Planning. In March 2024, France became the first country to explicitly include abortion in its Constitution.
An opinion shared by the Ecologists who, in an open letter addressed to Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, asked the head of state to intervene urgently to prevent the destruction. Our country cannot be complicit, even indirectly, in retrograde policies.", they estimate. Contacted by AFP, the Elysée declined to comment.
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