The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42094

Eva Bazant, MPH, IPPF/WHR, 120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005, (212) 214-0286, ebazant@ippfwhr.org and Maria Isabel Plata, JD, Asociacion Pro-Bienestar de la Familia Colombiana (PROFAMILIA), Calle 34 #14-52, Santafe de Bogota, Colombia.

More than half of all pregnancies in Colombia are unwanted or mistimed (ENDS/2000). Emergency Contraception prevents pregnancy after sex, yet has not been widely available. With funds from the Bergstrom Foundation in 1997, Profamilia embarked on a project to increase access to EC. Profamilia conducted a baseline study, trained 695 health professionals and pharmacists, and clinic directors about EC, produced IEC materials, and registered and imported Postinor-2, a levonorgestrel-only EC product. The Church petitioned local authorities to revoke the registration of the EC product, but due to PROFAMILIA’s efforts, the challenge failed. PROFAMILIA advocated for EC as part of sexual and reproductive rights; collaborated with women’s groups, professional associations, and international bodies; and conducted a national media campaign for EC.

The presentation will focus on key recommendations related to increasing access to EC in the legal, medical, internal and external communications, and social marketing arenas. For example, from a legal perspective, PROFAMILIA and IPPF/WHR recommend the following to other organizations: · Review the legal framework of the national Constitution and documents of judicial bodies. Understand the existing national norms. Document, investigate, and develop arguments for women’s rights. · Review the international treaties and conventions that the country has signed. · Organize meetings with feminist and other lawyers in order to reflect on sexual and reproductive rights. · Identify politicians, government bodies and all actors that support and defend sexual and reproductive rights. · Study the theological and other arguments that are utilized by the opposition in order to respond to them.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List steps for an organization or consortium to take to introduce a dedicated emergency contraception product from a rights-perspective in its country.
• Identify challenges that arose and how Profamilia, Colombia overcame them.
• Follow the lessons learned/recommendations (in the clinical, marketing, public relations, and legal areas) that Profamilia and IPPF/WHR have for other organizations who wish to increase access to EC.

Keywords: Emergency, Contraception

Related Web page: www.ippfwhr.org; www.profamilia.org.co

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Profamilia, Colombia International Planned Parenthood Federation, Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR)
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee of IPPF/WHR