President’s Message

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Since the release in June 2022 of a Supreme Court decision that upended 49 years of federal abortion protection in the U.S., we have witnessed a rapid increase in state bans and restrictions on abortion resulting in a host of new challenges for individuals looking to end pregnancies that are not viable or desired. The spillover effects of these measures on reproductive health care services are concerning, not least for health professionals attempting to offer care in an uncertain and rapidly changing legal landscape.

Although we had to adjust some of our research activities in the U.S., we remain invested in preserving reproductive autonomy. To us, this means developing crucial evidence in support of de-medicalized medication abortion and self-care approaches, pushing boundaries for making abortion pills more accessible, and contributing data and technical expertise to provider organizations and leading medical and scientific authorities.

This commitment and our human-centric approach extends to countries beyond the U.S., including conflict-affected Ukraine. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February, we had to suspend our research activities in Ukraine and instead we helped to secure and deliver a large consignment of essential abortion medication supplies for distribution through an in-country partner. I’m glad to say we could safely resume our planned activities later in the year evaluating a medication abortion protocol that forgoes in-person clinic visits and facility-based tests. The heightened risks and practical barriers faced by women seeking an abortion during the ongoing Russian invasion underscore the importance of having in place remote service delivery options such as this one.

We invite you to take a moment to read our annual report. Covering the 2022 calendar year, it offers a window into some of our projects to strengthen access and simplify practices for abortion and maternal health care—another priority area of work for us.

As part of our investment in improving the safety of childbirth, this year we completed enrollment for our ‘MOLI: Misoprostol or Oxytocin for Labour Induction’ study. Carried out across three public hospitals in central India, the randomized trial explored whether continuing oral misoprostol for labor induction is superior to the standard protocol of switching to intravenous oxytocin after cervical ripening with oral misoprostol for hypertension during pregnancy. Until now, no published study has ever directly compared the two protocols. This project includes a situational analysis of labor induction methods used in Nagpur and the surrounding area and is the latest project undertaken by an international group exploring maternal hypertensive disorder treatments suitable for use in busy or low-resource environments.

This year, we were delighted to welcome Silvina Ramos to the Board. Silvina is a leading abortion advocate in Argentina and a renowned researcher in sexual and reproductive health and rights. She joins five other Board members who each bring their own expertise, insights, and ideas to the table. Their leadership and governance help Gynuity Health Projects boldly advance our agenda.

Thanks to the counsel of our Board, the caliber of our staff and partners, and the support of our funders, Gynuity Health Projects will in the coming year continue to do what we do best—generate and promote evidence intended to influence policy, inspire innovative service delivery, and positively impact the lives of people seeking high-quality reproductive and maternal health care.

Thank you for your interest in our work.

Beverly Winikoff
President