The Gates Foundation is introducing a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) in Kenya that prevents pregnancy for up to eight years, the longest-acting contraceptive ever developed globally.
This innovation is part of a Ksh324 billion ($2.5 billion) commitment to expand affordable and accessible women’s health solutions, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Global Rollout Targets Kenya, Nigeria, and India
According to Dr. Anita Zaidi, president of the Gates Foundation’s Gender Equality Division, the new hormonal IUD is being launched in Kenya, Nigeria, and India. Designed for affordability and user-centered care, the device offers long-term, reversible contraception by releasing progestin—a synthetic hormone that thickens cervical mucus and may prevent ovulation.
“A new hormonal IUD designed for affordability and a user-centered experience is being launched in Kenya, Nigeria, and possibly India,” Zaidi said.
The foundation is also expanding access to DMPA-SC, a self-injectable contraceptive, across more than 35 countries, including eight in Africa: the Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, and Kenya.
Historic Investment in Women’s Health
The $2.5 billion investment marks the Gates Foundation’s largest commitment to women’s health research and development to date, a 33% increase over the past five years. The funding will support more than 40 innovations across five priority areas:
- Maternal health and obstetric care
- Gut health and nutrition
- Gynaecological and menstrual health
- Contraceptive innovation
- Sexually transmitted infections
“Many conditions that disproportionately, differently, or only affect women remain misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or ignored,” Zaidi told Devex. “Collaboration is essential to overcome decades of underinvestment and make sure that breakthroughs don’t stall in labs.”
Addressing Gaps in Research and Access
Despite progress, women’s health remains underfunded. Only 1% of global health research spending (outside oncology) targets female-specific conditions. In 2022, just 2 of 37 FDA-approved drugs addressed women’s health.
Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health compared to men, mostly during their working years. Improving their health could unlock $1 trillion in annual global GDP by 2040, according to the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute.
The foundation is also funding:
- AI-enabled ultrasounds for diagnosing menstrual and cardiac conditions
- Research on the vaginal microbiome
- A drug targeting the root cause of preeclampsia
- A low-cost postpartum blood loss detection drape
- A rapid HIV/syphilis diagnostic test
“Women need more from contraception—more control, fewer side effects, and options that match their lives and preferences,” Zaidi said. “What is needed by a woman at age 20 is often quite different than what that woman may want as she enters perimenopause.”
Kenya’s Expanding Contraceptive Landscape
Modern contraceptive use in Kenya continues to grow. The Ministry of Health in June received 186,072 contraceptive commodities, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and procured through UNFPA. These include:
- 16,272 sets of Levoplant
- 69,800 doses of DMPA-SC
- 100,000 sets of Jadelle
Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Olunga stated that the commodities will help avert over 131,000 unintended pregnancies, reduce unsafe abortions, and address stockouts in health facilities.
“Just developing new tools is insufficient. Ensuring they are delivered into the hands of women who need them most is critical,” Zaidi emphasised.
