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OMAHA – A nonprofit is partnering with Omaha businesses to provide pregnancy tests and contraception to people in need.
The Women’s Fund of Omaha sells $3 pregnancy tests and $8 emergency contraception in vending machines. The three machines are sprinkled throughout the metropolitan area.
“Our sexual health vending machine initiative is designed to remove barriers and increase access to items related to sexual health,” said Jo Giles, the Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Omaha.
The touchscreen vending machines are located in three locations. The program began in April when the first two vending machines opened at the Nite Owl bar at 3902 Farnam St. and the Nebraska AIDS Project at 6220 Maple St. In late June, a third machine soft launched at the Mercury cocktail lounge on South 16th Street.
“Unexpected situations happen,” said Giles. “There could be survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence who may need access pretty quickly to emergency contraception. For anyone who doesn't have the financial ability to pay for birth control, or to have access to emergency contraception at a high cost, it's just another opportunity to ensure that this is available to the community.”
The nonprofit partners with businesses to install, monitor and operate the machines, in addition to providing the items. The project is funded by donations and sponsorships.
“We're just hoping to be able to expand and have more locations available for people all over the metro and across our state,” Giles said. “It's been a very organic, positive response to this initiative.”
The project is a part of the nonprofit’s Access Granted program. Access Granted provides resources and education about sexual health to young people. Giles mentioned that the target audience is people ages 15-24.
“It's another opportunity for us to be innovative and to push back against the political environment where lawmakers are threatening to ban birth control and information about our bodies and our health care,” Giles said. “We're just committed to meeting people where they are and providing access to the information and resources that they need and want.”