Not A Luxury, A Necessity: How Aid Cuts To Birth Control Harm Senegals Women

The women here are warriors, says a midwife in Joal, and contraception is key to their health and life chances. But now UK and US aid cuts threaten to undo years of progress The fishing quay on the beach at Joal is usually so crowded with women dealing with the days catch that you can barely glimpse the sea. But today it is quiet, just an expanse of broken shells and plastic bags that leads down to the waters edge. Last night, as is here on Senegals coast, there was a storm and heavy rain so the men could not go to sea safely in their open wooden fishing boats, known as pirogues. Many houses were flooded, so women stayed at home for the day, baling out bedrooms and dealing with the aftermath. Times are tough.