Dear Friend of DKT,

DKT fosters a more open dialogue about sexual health, breaking down long-standing taboos and myths about sexual and reproductive health with innovative media campaigns. This month, we share recent campaigns with you from Mexico and Ghana. Our teams are creatively leveraging social media and popular regional – and in some cases – famous influencers to deliver that messaging, ensuring we bring about effective, long-term behavior change.

We are also expanding clinical services in an effort to reach last-mile communities and clients. In Pakistan, we will open 200 new clinics in the northeastern Punjab region. In India, our Janani program has launched a mobile clinic, and in Côte d’Ivoire, we have partnered with a professional school to train and certify 2,500 nurses, midwives, and senior health technicians throughout the coming year.

Our commitment to transparency remains a priority and earlier this month, we shared a newsletter specific to our 2023 Audited Financials, which reflects our continued growth. DKT generated sales revenues hit $235 million against $283 million in expenses. Donor receipts (averaged out over 3 years on an accrual basis) dropped as expected to $50.6 million. Notably, sales revenue has doubled from $120 million in 2016. For a more nuanced and detailed look at those financials, read that newsletter through the link above, or on LinkedIn.

We are always eager to hear from you. If you have thoughts on our work or ways we could be doing more, I invite you to reach out to us.

Cheers,

Chris Purdy

President, DKT International

Leading the Global Charge Against Sexual Health Stigma

Latin rap sensation Residente inspires young people across Latin America to “Talk (about sex and contraception) Without Shame”

DKT México launched the “Hablemos Sin Vergüenza” (Let’s Talk Without Shame) campaign several months ago as a collaboration between Prudence Condoms and Residente, a renowned Puerto Rican rapper, 4x Grammy winner, and advocate for sex education. This collaboration has already achieved significant impact, including a slew of press attention; nationally broadcasted radio interviews in Mexico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Panama; as well as prominent “Residente x Prudence Condoms” displays in pharmacies and stores, including retail chains as large as Wal-Mart.

Residente’s commitment to sex education in Latin America combined with DKT’s mission to advance sexual and reproductive health has resulted in a powerful digital media campaign, influencing and educating young people. We look forward to seeing where this collaboration goes in the future, and continuing to break taboos and deliver vital sexual health information to young people throughout DKT’s Latin America North (LATAM) region.

For more information on the Residente partnership, please contact Mario E Flores Alvarez

Need advice on your sexual health? Ask “Auntie Lydia”

When it comes to talking about sex and asking for advice on your sexual health, it is sometimes easier to ask someone who is familiar – but not too close to you – for counsel. Better still if that person is a health provider.

In Ghana, the DKT team sought to develop a media persona who could more broadly address common myths and misconceptions about their Lydia-branded contraceptives with clients via social media. The result was the “The Auntie Lydia Show,” which launched in June. This new pre-recorded weekly video series is hosted by Portia Ackumey, DKT’s assistant manager at its Lydia Contact Center (LCC). Ackumey and the program aim to educate both existing and potential Lydia users about their most frequently asked questions related to sexual and reproductive health. Each episode is shared on a Friday across all Lydia social platforms, including YouTube.

The show debuted with three videos: an introductory episodea discussion on the pain associated with IUD use, and a clarification on whether emergency contraceptives can cause abortion. This initiative is part of DKT’s ongoing efforts to provide accurate information and support to users, helping them make informed decisions about their contraceptive options. The Auntie Lydia Show has been gaining increasing viewership and is set to run through the end of the year. By addressing common concerns and misconceptions, the show aims to build trust and confidence in Lydia contraceptives; enhance user knowledge; and strengthen the relationship between DKT AWA and its clients, reinforcing the importance of making informed reproductive health choices in West Africa.

Expanding Community-Based Care

DKT Pakistan expands its Dhanak Health Clinics to northeastern provinces

We are pleased to share that DKT Pakistan will establish an additional 200 one-room clinics for trained and skilled midlevel providers such as community midwives (CMWs), lady health visitors (LHVs), and community health nurses in the Punjab and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, enabling them to generate self income, promising sustainable economic growth while improving family planning services to underserved communities in rural areas.

The Self-Employment of Women (SEW) project is a private health sector collaboration financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through the KfW Development Bank.

The team selected 20 districts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after several discussions and consultations with officials in the Pakistani government’s Department of Health, engaging and selecting clinical operators, conducting land assessments, and evaluating the technical aspects of the project.

Identifying and mentoring the next generation of midwives in Côte d’Ivoire

Team members from DKT in Côte d’Ivoire training midwives-to-be in Togo

In Francophone West Africa, DKT’s teams are partnering with the Institut National de Formation Des Agents de la Sante (INFAS), a public professional school that trains certified nurses, midwives, and senior health technicians.

The school currently has six branches in six cities throughout the country (Abengourou, Aboisso, Bouaké, Daloa, Korhogo, and Abidjan). At the end of each academic cycle, midwives will complete a practical session on family planning, including the different methods available and post-abortion care.  DKT seized this opportunity to offer training and product supply services to student midwives as part of that session. The goal is to:

  • Provide training in the correct use of our FP products, especially IUD insertion
  • Create a class of DKT ambassadors (an estimated 2,000 people each year)
  • Strengthen our partnership with the public sector by participating in the training of students.

In the course of the next year, the initiative will train 2500 students. Work began on the project in June with the INFAS Abidjan branch.

DKT’s Janani program introduces mobile clinic care in rural India

Our Janani program in Bihar province in India has introduced mobile clinics, thereby bringing essential medical services directly to those who need them most, ensuring that no one is left behind. These clinics are equipped with the latest medical technology and staffed by dedicated healthcare professionals who are committed to providing high-quality care.

Through this initiative, we are addressing critical healthcare needs, including family planning and reproductive health services; maternal health care; preventive screenings and vaccinations; and health education and awareness programs.

Our goal is to reach thousands of individuals who will benefit from these services, many of whom will have the opportunity to access healthcare for the first time. We are proud to be part of a movement that is not only improving health outcomes but also empowering communities to thrive.

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