Pioneers against Stigma: Access to Family Planning in the Caribbean

In the English-speaking Caribbean, internationally-funded local NGOs pioneered the introduction of family planning, a game-changer in women’s empowerment, ensuring access to women who cannot afford private physicians. These NGOs faced social controversy and cleared the space for governments to introduce the service in primary care clinics. As governments have cautiously stepped into this space, Family Planning Associations have lost clientele and not benefitted from significant government contributions. After 50 years, they remain fragile and dependent on foreign funds. They have been buffeted by the winds of the US Gag Rule, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the drive from IPPF to provide more comprehensive services, including abortion. Small size and stigma are obstacles to attracting high quality board members, and grant reductions make staff salaries unattractive to skilled professionals. The purpose of the paper is to explore the history, growth, gender bias, and the struggles for sustainability among family planning associations across the Caribbean region