Author: Wakaba Oto

Wakaba Oto is an editorial intern at Ms. and is completing her undergraduate degree at Fordham University. She is also a contributing writer at the Tokyo Weekender, and is passionate about investigative journalism with a focus on uncovering institutional misconduct. She has roots in Amsterdam, Tokyo, and New York City.

What Will Be the Cost of the First Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill?

Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill, is set to hit drugstores, grocery stores and online shelves in the first quarter of 2024. But the real challenge lies ahead: Will it be affordable and truly accessible to all?

Opill is a progestin-only oral contraceptive pill, boasting a success rate as high as 98 percent in preventing pregnancies.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration hailed the approval of Opill as a breakthrough that could “reduce barriers to access” for those seeking contraception. 

However, the promise of accessibility hinges on the crucial factor of affordability.

A Tale of Two Americas: The Deepening Crisis of Reproductive Rights for Marginalized Communities

With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, the U.S. is facing a pivotal moment in its ongoing struggle for reproductive rights. The escalating conflict, now at the forefront of national debate, reveals a profound and disproportionate impact on Black, brown, Indigenous, Latinx and other marginalized communities.

This was the focus of “Landscape for Abortion Access in 2024,” a briefing hosted by Conway Strategic held ahead of what would have been the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade on Jan. 14. The event brought together experts and advocates to discuss the challenges and realities of abortion access in the current political climate.