Dear Friend of DKT,
This month the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) community is preparing to gather for the first time since the onset of the pandemic for the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) in Pattaya, Thailand. DKT International is eager to share our knowledge leading successful social enterprises around the world and be part of the excitement building in anticipation of this highly anticipated event.
This month’s newsletter highlights some of that shared knowledge, from the recently released INSEAD case study focused on our Janani project in India, to the data driven insights from our program in Mozambique. Around the world, DKT continues to build a robust ecosystem that supports our programming, through our work with governments (the DRC Congo), the private sector (a case study on DKT Chile), and local communities (the SODEX project in the Philippines).
DKT’s team at ICFP will participate in several panel discussions about some of the most important issues of the moment, such as abortion rights, commodity financing and contraceptive markets. We will also pause to celebrate the life and accomplishments of our founder, Phil Harvey through the Phil Harvey Innovation Awards. Phil was a remarkable man who is dearly missed not only by us, but by the larger SRHR community. We continue to be inspired by his vision and his legacy lives on through the work of DKT International.
Cheers,
Christopher Purdy
President
DKT featured in INSEAD case study
DKT values measured learning, which helps refine the social marketing model and advances the global reproductive health community. We are proud to have partnered with INSEAD to co-publish the case study “Janani: The Rocky Road from Charity to Social Enterprise” which explores the financing behind DKT’s program in Janani, India. The study follows DKT Janani through its transition from a social marketing program dependent on donor funding to its current status as a social enterprise. In sharing challenges and lessons learned along the way, DKT hopes to support the financial sustainability of other social enterprises around the world. Many thanks to co-authors David J. Olson and Amitava Chattopadhyay, Professor of Marketing at INSEAD, for their hard work and research.
DKT at the International Conference on Family Planning
DKT is excited to return to the 2022 International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) from November 14th to 17th in Pattaya City, Thailand. We look forward to discussing important issues in the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) field with partners, stakeholders, activists, and academics. Throughout the week, you can find our SRHR team at poster sessions, panels, and social events, sharing knowledge on accessibility, affordability, and other global topics. For more information and a detailed schedule, please visit our ICFP Press Kit or read our ICFP newsletter.
DKT president Chris Purdy will also hand out the Phil Harvey Innovation Award to three young trailblazers who competed and won a $10,000 prize (sponsored by DKT International) to develop a bold, sex-positive and rights-based project that leverages the private sector and advances the field.
DKT International will be joined at ICFP by our affiliates, DKT WomanCare (Booth 78); Women First Digital (Booth 74); World Vasectomy Day (WVD) (Booth 77); and DKT Myanmar (Booth 75), all of whom have exciting plans in store for the big event.
For more information and a detailed schedule, please visit our ICFP Press Kit.
How we use data for better management and measurement
DKT’s country offices regularly collect data that allows for a more holistic understanding of our reach and impact. In Mozambique, for example, DKT is collecting detailed data on the prevalence of each contraceptive method in both our Intimo clinics and outreach work as well as demographics of both clinic clients and hotline callers. An analysis revealed that in September the majority (35%) of visitors to Mozambique’s Intimo fixed clinics were between the ages of 26-35, while callers to the Intimo hotline were predominantly ages 15-25 (62%). Such detailed data amplify and support metrics such as CYPs by providing a more nuanced understanding of DKT clients—how they are reached, their demographics, contraceptive preferences, and more. In turn, these data helps DKT better understand our impact, focus resources where they are most needed, and make improvements to serve local communities’ needs.
DKT partners with governments in the DR Congo and Burkina Faso
DKT’s work would not be possible without support from and collaboration with governments, who are critical partners in training and product distribution. In the DR Congo, DKT recently donated medical abortion combipacks to the Congolese government through the national reproductive health program (PNSR). By increasing access to comprehensive, quality abortion care, the program supports the Maputo Protocol, an international human rights agreement adopted by the African Union establishing comprehensive rights to women. DKT is also collaborating with the Congolese government quantifying demand for combipacks in each province to strengthen the supply chain and prevent overstocking. Government support is similarly strong in Burkina Faso, where 100,000 units of misoprostol and 14,000 combipacks were recently sold to the Ministry of Health. Such partnerships demonstrate how the power of collaboration between the private and public sectors expands access to sexual and reproductive health.
DKT on the move: medical abortion in Malawi, manual vacuum aspirators in Kazakhstan, IUDs in Ukraine
Despite the global challenges of inflation and political turmoil, DKT WomanCare has continued launching products and increasing sales of contraceptive and safe abortion products in some of the most challenging markets. In Malawi, DKT WomanCare recently launched the first ever medical abortion combipack in the country with support from the Ministry of Health and local organizations. Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, the first medical vacuum aspirator (MVA) order was bought by a customer after the product was certified this past summer. And in war-stricken Ukraine, another large IUD order was placed and delivered in October. DKT WomanCare’s ability to maintain a strong and efficient supply chain despite challenging circumstances is a testament to their belief that women everywhere should have access to reproductive care.
World Vasectomy Day is Friday, December 2nd
World Vasectomy Day is just around the corner, and DKT is ready to celebrate 10 years of vasectomy awareness alongside our affiliate partner, World Vasectomy Day (WVD). WVD has prepared a series of events around the world throughout the month of November to promote vasectomy awareness. The festivities will culminate with a 24-hour global celebration on Friday, December 2nd, partnering with reproductive health organizations, doctors, and advocates across time zones and countries to perform vasectomies and increase knowledge of the contraceptive method. Vasectomies are an important way for men to support their partners and to take the initiative in their reproductive futures. Vasectomies are also proven to be highly safe, reversible, and effective procedures.
In the Philippines, DKT’s vasectomy program has seen an increase in demand which demonstrates rising momentum in vasectomy awareness. At this year’s World Vasectomy Day festival, DKT Philippines aims to provide more than 400 vasectomies at four city sites around the country—more than double the previous year’s targets. DKT Mexico has also partnered with World Vasectomy Day to open the first private vasectomy clinic and training center in the region around Mexico City. In recognition of Mexico’s commitment to WVD’s movement, the country has been chosen as this year’s official headquarters for the months’ celebrations.
DKT Chile and the rise of the female condom
Female condoms are increasingly popular among DKT’s Latin American programs. In Chile, DKT programming began in 2018 with a government bid for 1 million units of female condoms. Now, DKT Chile is planning to launch sales of female condoms in the private sector this month in response to such high demand. Female condoms were the first product launched by DKT Chile, but the country program has also grown to include an impressive portfolio of products including DKT global brands such as Andalan IUDs and Prudence condoms. Today, DKT participates in a Chilean market with 19 million people and a local sales team works to increase DKT’s presence and impact. Partnerships with the AIDS Health Care Foundation and APROFA also help DKT promote accessibility by reaching underserved groups in local communities.
Reaching rural communities in the Philippines
In the Philippines, DKT runs the only outreach program in the country that responds to the sexual and reproductive health needs of rural communities, including indigenous populations. DKT’s project SODEX (Service Outreach and Distribution Extension) offers free sexual and reproductive health products, services, education, and counseling to individuals living in remote or hard-to-reach geographic locations. Both temporary and permanent contraceptive methods are available through the program, including oral contraceptive pills, condoms, injectables, IUDs, vasectomies, and tubal ligations. By addressing limitations in accessibility, SODEX provides underserved communities with life changing reproductive care.
Condoms, concerts and controversy at Uganda’s Nyege Nyege festival
DKT Uganda made its debut this year at the annual Nyege Nyege festival on the River Nile famous for its electronic music… and its controversy. The Ugandan Parliament has attempted to cancel the event in years past for its “immortality,” but ultimately only succeeded in generating more interest and press. For three days, DKT promoted Kiss condoms with experiential marketing techniques that encouraged festival-goers to spin the wheel for a prize or get cozy on DKT’s Kiss bed. Extensive sampling and social media promotion also helped boost brand awareness. In total, approximately 8,000 people were reached and 4,600 engaged directly with the campaign.
