CHICAGO (Civitas) — At DePaul University, college student Maya Roman has learned to master the logistics of reproductive health delivery: sending a discreet text, meeting at a designated spot, and handing over a paper bag filled with condoms and Plan B emergency contraception. This unconventional approach serves as the main access point to sexual health support on campus.
Despite being a Catholic university that prohibits the distribution of birth control on its premises, DePaul has seen the emergence of a clandestine contraceptive delivery system called 'the womb service.' This student-operated group began when DePaul revoked the Planned Parenthood Generation Action chapter's student organization status in June, pushing activists to operate off-campus.
Across the nation, many Catholic colleges maintain similar policies against contraceptive access, requiring students to navigate administrative pushback to establish alternative measures for reproductive health support. Activists argue that their efforts are critical for serving a diverse student body.
With Catholic teachings discouraging premarital sex and birth control, students like Roman are stepping in to close the gaps left by institutional limitations. 'It was about addressing a real community need,' Roman explained.
To date, the womb service has been overwhelmed with demand, averaging 15 to 25 orders weekly and providing sex education seminars to empower their peers.
Other universities also face challenges while trying to encourage safe sexual practices. At Loyola University in Chicago, the Students for Reproductive Justice group supplies various contraceptive methods and is pivotal to student health outreach.
Student groups like Irish 4 Reproductive Health at the University of Notre Dame have likewise emerged, not only providing contraception off-campus but also advocating legal challenges against their universities’ policies.
However, the battle is not just confined to campus life. Legislative changes in numerous U.S. states reflect a broader trend toward limiting contraceptive access. States have seen attempts to restrict Medicaid coverage for emergency contraception and impose stricter regulations for minors seeking access.
In Illinois, contrastingly, legislation signed by Governor JB Pritzker mandates public universities to offer contraception and abortion medication through campus health facilities, highlighting a stark divide in reproductive rights across different educational settings.
As students like Roman spearhead the fight for reproductive autonomy, their stories illustrate the urgent need for accessible healthcare resources in challenging environments, highlighting the critical nature of grassroots activism amidst systemic restrictions.
'Creating change is possible, and students can lead the charge,' Roman asserts, urging others to join this vital movement for reproductive justice.
