Options for Pregnancy Termination (OPTions) Initiative supports Bold Ideas with Big Impact®. The program seeks innovative and transformative approaches that put women and girls in control of where, when, and how they terminate their pregnancy in countries where there are one or more legal grounds to support it.
The Goal
The OPTions Initiative focuses on supporting the testing and development of new approaches to increase early access to existing abortion products and services in low- and middle-income countries and next-generation methods of pregnancy termination.
The Problem
The impact of unsafe abortion is profound. There are more than 25 million unsafe abortions annually, the vast majority of which (about 97%) occur in the developing world. As a result, approximately 7 million women and girls are admitted to health facilities with complications and 22,800 to 31,000 women and girls die annually, making unsafe abortions one of the leading global causes of maternal mortality.
Access to services is often limited due to a wide range of barriers, and there are often limited choices in terms of the method of abortion. These barriers collectively contribute to the staggering number of deaths and disabilities seen annually as a result of unsafe abortion, which are disproportionately felt by the poorest of the poor in developing countries.
The Role of Innovation
Innovation spurs new approaches to existing problems. This is needed to efficiently and effectively focus, develop, and test solutions that respond to this persistent, unsolved challenge in an equitable manner. The impact of integrating scientific/technological, social, and business innovation (known as Integrated Innovation) can transform the accessibility and effectiveness of safe abortion products and services by increasing access to existing methods of safe abortion and developing new methods of safe abortion.
Feminist Investment Approach
The OPTions Initiative is in direct alignment with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, and applies a feminist investment approach that places an explicit focus on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in order to drive progress toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal Five: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Request for Proposals
Thank you to everyone who submitted an application for Round 2 of the OPTions Initiative!
The OPTions Initiative is no longer accepting applications Round 2 Request for Proposals. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by September 30, 2020. No further submission will be considered.
Questions
For any questions or inquiries, please email gro.e1620458860vitai1620458860tinis1620458860noitp1620458860o@ofn1620458860i1620458860
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