Dear Friend of DKT,

June 24th marks one year since the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion in the United States. This past year has been a challenging one for our domestic affiliate, carafem, with legal questions and battles still raging around the use of mifepristone for medical abortion (MA). Despite the barriers faced, carafem continues to innovate its care and serve individuals in 17 states via telehealth services. Around the world, DKT also is expanding access to abortion products and services. DKT remains steadfast in our support of a woman’s right to determine her reproductive destiny.

The second quarter of 2023 was significant for new product launches and expansion, as we are proud to share that DKT MENA logged its first, large sales orders in Iraq. DKT’s West Africa program also launched injectable contraception in Mali and DKT WomanCare continued pushing forward with training and sales in Uzbekistan (IUDs), Kyrgyzstan (Levoplant), and Madagascar (EC pills). 

In addition to internal achievements, DKT also continues contributing valuable research to the larger SRH field. DKT WomanCare’s Commercial Director, True Overholt was published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics for his work in partnership with Ipas and a consortium of researchers on a multi-national study on the use and re-use of MVA aspirators in abortion and post-abortion care.

Finally, June has been a joyous month for the LGBTQIA+ community and our teams around the world who were busy with outreach programming related to Pride Month in Mexico, Myanmar, Brazil and Vietnam (just to name a few). One of DKT’s core values is “fun” and our marketing teams took things (as always) to the next level. 

As always, we appreciate and thank you for your continued support.

Cheers,

Christopher Purdy

The first orders for oral contraceptive pills, injectables, and emergency contraception were fulfilled last month in Iraq, starting a new phase for DKT in the MENA region. Ipas MVA kits were already sold in the country late last year, with additional products to follow. DKT is open to financial and donor support as we undertake training of health providers, educate youth, and expand availability. There is a huge opportunity to make a difference in this country of 43 million people as it moves forward to a more empowered future.

Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) kits have been used by providers around the world for more than 40 years in relation to abortion or post-abortion care, but there is a limited body of research available about their use and re-use. To learn more about how providers use these devices around the world, DKT International (which now distributes the devices via DKT WomanCare Global) joined forces with Ipas (the product's original creators), to conduct a multi-national study examining reuse and replacement procedures for Ipas manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) kits. 

The article was published June 21, 2023 in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. A consortium of 15 researchers from DKT International, Ipas, and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) – (and some independent contractors) – employed a mixed-methods, cross-sectional study of 352 health care providers in nine countries over the course of three years to complete the project. Read a summary of the findings on our blog, or you can read the article, “Examining reuse and replacement procedures for Ipas manual vacuum aspiration and cannulae in nine countries” in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics.

As carafem and DKT reflect on the anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson, the landmark case that devastated access to abortion in the US and invalided Roe vs. Wade, we cannot help but feel the weight of the impact it has had on abortion access for people who need it, especially for the 1 in 3 women who lost access to care in their home state since last June. carafem has been working hard to increase access both online and in-person, and is now serving individuals in 17 states. carafem introduced Immediate Evaluation in January 2023 – a new service available 24/7 in five states where people can visit carafem’s website to find out immediately if they are eligible for medication abortion by mail and screen for financial assistance.

We are proud to show off our emerging leadership here at DKT and introduce two of our country managers in the Anglophone West Africa region this month: DKT Sierra Leone Country Manager Michael Enema and Liberia’s Country Manager, Isaac Opoku Lamptey, as well as our regional product manager in the MENA region, Dr. Roba Adss. Summaries of their accomplishments and videos of them explaining what inspires them to come to work everyday can be found on our LinkedIn page.

The right to love whomever you want to love whenever you want to love them was celebrated worldwide in the month of June. In Mexico, teams went all out, sponsoring a drag show called “Diary of a Draga” and taking a “Rainbow Tour” of the country with Pride-themed Prudence merchandise. The tour involved activities in 10 states and promotional events across the Latin America North (LAN) region.

In Myanmar, teams celebrated in partnership with other, international agencies, giving away products and raising awareness about safe sex. In Vietnam, Pride was celebrated in the office, boosting the spirits of local staff and setting the tone for outreach efforts. At DKT, we look forward to the day when the right to love unconditionally is universal.

DKT is an innovative and adventurous social marketing organization that improves people's lives.

+1 202-223-8780

info@dktinternational.org