Affordability of sexual and reproductive healthcare services for victims, is essential for ease of access. This is particularly important for women and girls in refugee and migration context as the lack of financial resources can prevent them from seeking care.
The Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) initiated following the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine went into swift action in early March 2022. This was the first time this instrument was used.
It provided immediate support to millions fleeing Ukraine in the EU in terms of housing, work permits, social welfare and healthcare. EIGE’s research „Women fleeing the war: Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare in the EU” explored whether women and girls protected under the TPD can access these services free of charge.
The questionnaire responses received from 26 EU Member States demonstrate that the lack of financial provision for sexual and reproductive healthcare services remains a significant barrier – as only half of survey EU Member States declared to provide all six SRH services free of charge.