Kelly Nhedega's plans derailed by pregnancy at 16.

In Zimbabwe, teenager Kelly Nhedega's plans for her future were derailed when she became pregnant at 16. Her dream was to finish school and pursue a career as a nurse before starting a family.

The young girl had been sexually active, but accessing contraception proved difficult due to the stigma associated with it. The fear of being judged or having her parents informed by clinic staff or patients kept Nhedega from visiting a local health facility for birth control.

Now 18 and caring for an 18-month-old child, Nhedega has finally obtained contraception discreetly in an attempt to return to school. She emphasizes the importance of completing her education first, as additional children would compromise her ability to attend classes.

Aid cuts and global shipping disruptions are exacerbating existing challenges in Africa, where girls like Nhedega struggle to access contraceptives.

These difficulties transcend mere stockpiling or procurement issues; they involve complex factors including parental opposition, restrictive policies, stigma, and the fear of being seen at a clinic.

The high maternal mortality rates in Africa underscore the critical need for adolescent girls to have access to effective contraceptive methods. This is especially true given the continent's rapid population growth and its disproportionate share of global maternal deaths.

Sub-Saharan Africa, home to the world's fastest-growing population, accounts for 70% of all maternal deaths worldwide. Each year, approximately 180,000 pregnancy-related deaths are recorded across the continent, a stark reminder of the risks associated with childbirth.

Aid cuts have resulted in a significant shortfall in contraceptive funding globally, according to the UNFPA. This year alone, an estimated $185 million will be missing from global contraceptive funding, leaving millions without access to essential reproductive health services.

The impact is already being felt, with nearly 1,400 reproductive health service facilities having closed globally since December, including over 1,175 in Africa. This has left an estimated 5.9 million women without access to vital services and highlights the urgent need for increased funding and support for contraception programs.

The community stigma surrounding contraception can be overwhelming for young women in Africa, making it difficult for them to access vital services.

Population Services Zimbabwe's mobile caravan has been a crucial provider of reproductive health services to adolescents in Epworth and nearby areas since 2021. The organization claims that the caravan has reached over 100,000 teenagers with contraceptives, STI treatment, counseling, and sexual education.

However, the service is facing pressure due to dwindling international aid. The caravan's operator, an affiliate of MSI Reproductive Choices, lost a significant grant in 2023 after the Trump administration dismantled several aid programs in 2025. Despite having $6 million in unspent funds from the original grant, the organization is struggling to make up for the loss.

The organization had initially secured new funding from Sweden to fill part of the gap, but this support came to an abrupt end in August when the Swedish government phased out development assistance to several countries, including Zimbabwe. The sudden withdrawal of funding has left Population Services Zimbabwe facing a significant challenge.

As a result of the funding cuts, the organization fears that more young women will be forced into unplanned pregnancies and may resort to unsafe abortions, which can lead to severe health complications or even death.

The funding cuts imposed on non-profit organizations providing reproductive healthcare services could have severe consequences for their operations in Africa. The organization's outreach activities may be forced to cease due to lack of resources, which could ultimately lead to the closure of the entire country program.

Despite efforts by some African governments to increase access to contraceptives, a significant barrier remains: the availability of these products does not necessarily translate to adolescents being able to obtain them. In countries like Zimbabwe, where Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora has pledged millions of dollars for contraceptive purchases, concerns persist about the ability of young people to access these services.

Uncertainty surrounding parental consent rules can create an additional hurdle for adolescents seeking contraceptives in some African nations. In Zambia, for instance, director at MSI Zambia Inonge Wina Chinyama notes that it is unlikely for a young person to openly discuss their need for contraception with their parents.

The loss of U.S. support for contraceptive distribution has been particularly detrimental to efforts in countries like Zambia, where the "last mile" of getting contraceptives from central storage facilities to rural health centers has been severely impacted. Contraceptives sitting in warehouses are of little use to girls living far from these locations, highlighting the need for more efficient distribution systems.

The ongoing conflict between Iran and other nations has disrupted global shipping routes, causing further delays in delivering essential supplies to countries in need. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently reported that carriers have been rerouting shipments to avoid areas affected by the conflict.

In Zambia, a shipment of contraceptives ordered as far back as November finally arrived over three months late. This delay is just one example of how the global shipping disruptions are impacting countries in Africa. The consequences of these delays can be dire for girls who rely on timely access to contraception.

In Zimbabwe's remote communities, the effects of reduced mobile outreach services have been particularly pronounced. Funding cuts forced Population Services Zimbabwe to scale back its mobile clinics, which had a significant impact on girls' access to essential reproductive healthcare. When the organization briefly resumed its mobile clinics in August after a six-month absence, they were met with a rush of girls seeking assistance.

The scene was chaotic as girls, some carrying children on their backs, rushed towards the clinic vehicle. According to Engeline Mawere, operations director for Population Services Zimbabwe, this outpouring of demand highlights the critical importance of outreach services in providing discreet and accessible reproductive healthcare options for young girls and mothers.

The secrecy surrounding reproductive health decisions is evident in Nhedega's words, highlighting the difficulties African girls face when trying to plan their families.

In many parts of Africa, limited access to education, funding cuts, and social stigma combine to make it extremely challenging for young women to obtain effective contraception. This perfect storm results in unintended pregnancies, which can have far-reaching consequences for individuals, communities, and societies as a whole.