Exhausting. A struggle. Burn out. Risky. These were the words practitioners operating globally in the family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights, or SRHR, space used to describe what it’s like to currently do so, especially in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade earlier this year.
But determination, anger, and a sense of responsibility are what keep many of them going, according to those Devex spoke to on the sidelines of the International Conference on Family Planning in Pattaya, Thailand, in mid-November.
“Working in this space is extremely exhausting and requires a certain level of resilience,” said Dr. Angela Akol, regional director of Ipas Africa Alliance, which works to increase access to safe abortions and contraception.
About the author
Rebecca L. Root
Rebecca L. Root is a freelance reporter for Devex based in Bangkok. Previously senior associate & reporter, she produced news stories, video, and podcasts as well as partnership content. She has a background in finance, travel, and global development journalism and has written for a variety of publications while living and working in Bangkok, New York, London, and Barcelona.
