Morning-After Pill Promoted in Ethiopia, Billboard Suggests Prosperity

Ethiopia-IPPF-ad-225x300.png
The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) approved a billboard featuring a well-dressed Ethiopian woman holding a morning-after pill, encouraging the impoverished multitudes of women in that country to use their product.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) approved a billboard featuring a well-dressed Ethiopian woman holding a morning-after pill, encouraging the impoverished multitudes of women in that country to use their product. The advertisement was for Levonorgestrel – also known as Plan B – which can abort a baby by blocking it from being implanted into its mother’s womb.

Ethiopia is one of the world’s most impoverished countries, with over 91.7 million citizens. According to World Bank data, more than 30% of its population was living in poverty in 2011. The average Ethiopian family has six to seven members, and because hospitals and medical professionals are scarce in the country, most women have their children at home and face a higher risk of having fatal birth-related complications.

The advertisement for the morning-after pill targets many who live in dire poverty and desire to have a higher socioeconomic status. It suggests that those who forego child-bearing have a greater chance at prosperity, and that having a baby would diminish a woman’s livelihood. The billboard says that the pill is an “emergency contraceptive” that allows women to have unprotected sex without bearing the risk of having an unexpected pregnancy.

The makers of Plan B say that Levonorgestrel does not terminate an existing pregnancy because it can keep a woman’s egg from becoming fertilized; however, the drug can also abort a fertilized egg by preventing it from being implanted into the uterus. The billboard has the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s stamp of approval on it, an organization which claims to support women’s health. The Planned Parenthood website says that the PPFA “focuses on reducing maternal death and disability by preventing unintended pregnancies;” however, it ensures the demise of infants who are aborted. The organization also trains youth and adults to be “peer health promoters” who promote awareness and provide contraceptives in Ethiopian communities.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.