The Options for Pregnancy Termination Innovation Initiative (OPTions Initiative) seeks innovative and transformative approaches that put women, girls, and people with diverse sexual and gender identities in control of where, when, and how they terminate their pregnancy where there are one or more legal grounds to support it.
The Goal
The goal of the Options for Pregnancy Termination Innovation Initiative (OPTions Initiative) is to support Bold Ideas with Big Impact.® We seek innovative and transformative approaches that put women, girls and people with diverse sexual and gender identities in control of where, when, and how they terminate their pregnancy where there are one or more legal grounds to support it.
Learn more about the OPTions InitiativeThe Challenge
The impact of unsafe abortion on women, girls and people with diverse sexual and gender identities is profound. There are more than 25 million unsafe abortions performed annually. The vast majority of which – about 97% – occur in the low- and middle-income countries. As a result, approximately 7 million women and girls are admitted to health facilities with complications. Another 22,800 to 31,000 women and girls die annually from unsafe abortions, making it one of the leading global causes of maternal mortality.
Access to comprehensive abortion services and post abortion care using current approaches is often limited due to a wide range of barriers, such as cost, availability, accessibility, stigma, inefficient supply chains and poor information systems among others. Furthermore, there is limited choice in terms of the method of abortion. There are presently only three methods of pregnancy termination: dilation and curettage (D&C), vacuum aspiration, and medical abortion (pill form). While effective, these current approaches do not represent choice or variety to meet the range of needs of women at different phases of life, sexual activity or needs for privacy. Lack of choice and access to safe abortion information, products and services collectively contribute to the staggering number of deaths and disabilities seen annually as a result of unsafe abortion.
Access to information, products and services for pregnancy termination is a critical gender equality issue, and an important component of sexual and reproductive health rights.
Apply for Funding
We are excited to announce the initiative has launched its third round of funding! Seed grants of up to $250,000 CAD are available for innovations that seek to test and develop:
- New or improved approaches to increasing early access to existing pregnancy termination products and services in low- and middle-income countries, or
- Next-generation methods of pregnancy termination, menses induction or conception interruption
The application deadline for “access” innovations is August 11, 2021, at 12 PM (EST).
Next generation methods applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 31, 2022, or funds are exhausted. Early submissions are advantageous as the call will be closed once funds have been spent.
Learn more about the OPTions Initiative Funding OpportunityQuestions
Contact the OPTions Initiative for further information and questions!
Email: gro.e1627508368vitai1627508368tinis1627508368noitp1627508368o@ofn1627508368i1627508368
WhatsApp: +1 (437) 219 – 1614