France Faces Pressure to Halt Destruction of $9.7M in USAID Contraceptives

France Under Pressure to Stop Contraceptive Destruction

France is facing mounting pressure to intervene in a controversial plan by the U.S. to destroy $9.7 million worth of contraceptives, initially designated for distribution in Africa through USAID.

Contraceptives at Risk

The contraceptives are currently stored in Belgium and may be moved to France for incineration. This action, initiated by the Trump administration after dismantling USAID, has sparked widespread outrage.

Outcry from Rights Groups

French feminists, rights groups, and family planning organizations have strongly condemned the plan, labeling it a wasteful attack on women's rights. The French government has stated it's closely monitoring the situation.

Offers Rejected

Organizations such as MSI Reproductive Choices and IPPF offered to handle logistics and distribution at their own cost, but their offers were turned down.

Call for Intervention

A petition has been launched in France to halt the destruction. Prominent figures, including Marine Tondelier and Céline Thiébault-Martinez, have called on President Macron to intervene, emphasizing France's moral responsibility to act.