Expanding Effective Contraceptive Options (EECO) Year 5 Workplan (October 2017- September 2018)

The project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is implemented by WCG and partners, including Population Services International (PSI), the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), and Evofem. The project's vision is to support the research, development, and introduction of new contraceptive methods and approaches that better meet the needs of women and girls as their sexual and reproductive health concerns change over time. The EECO project focuses on three main objectives: refining existing family planning (FP) methods to address method-related reasons for non-use, developing new FP methods that address method-related reasons for non-use and/or fill gaps in the existing method mix, and conducting research to foster the introduction and uptake of new and/or underutilized woman-initiated methods. The project will pilot new contraceptive methods, including a contraceptive gel, new barrier methods, and a levonorgestrel intrauterine system, in Zambia, Niger, Malawi, and Madagascar. The EECO Results Framework provides overarching guidance for activities from October 2013 through the end of the project and sets the ultimate objectives for all project activities. The framework includes four main objectives: refining existing FP methods, developing new FP methods, conducting research to foster the introduction and uptake of new and/or underutilized woman-initiated methods, and increasing access to and demand for new/underutilized woman-initiated methods. Under Objective 1, the EECO Team is introducing two new contraceptive products: the Woman's Condom in Zambia and Malawi, and Progering in Zambia and Malawi. The Woman's Condom is a non-hormonal, on-demand protection against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Progering is a safe and effective, hormone-based, woman-initiated intra-vaginal ring (IVR) that does not need to be fitted by a provider and is easy to use. The project aims to introduce these products in the target countries and increase contraceptive choice by providing options that address method-related reasons for non-use with a focus on barrier methods and methods appropriate for breastfeeding women. The project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives. As of September 30, 2017, the Woman's Condom was listed in Malawi and Zambia, and product distribution commenced in Malawi and Zambia. An impact evaluation is being carried out in Zambia in Years 3 and 4. The EECO project will work with Grünenthal, the manufacturer of Progering, to create a robust product dossier that can be adapted for country-level product registrations and WHO prequalification. The project aims to achieve the following outcomes by the end of the project: the introduction of two new products that increase contraceptive choice, the availability of the Woman's Condom in Malawi and Zambia, and the WHO prequalification and registration of Progering in Malawi and Zambia.