Underground Contraceptive Distribution at DePaul University

DePaul University, a Catholic institution located in Chicago, Illinois, maintains a strict prohibition against the distribution of birth control on its campus. This policy has prompted student activists to create an underground network known as "womb service," which facilitates the sharing of condoms and Plan B emergency contraception among students in need.

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The womb service operates discreetly, responding to requests for contraception through a text-based system. Once a request is received, members of the group collect the items and deliver them in a paper bag to a designated location. Maya Roman, the leader of the initiative, highlighted the group's commitment to addressing community needs, stating, “It was seeing a need in the community and trying my best to address it right away.” The group, which was previously affiliated with Planned Parenthood Generation Action, was removed as an official student organization but continues to function informally.

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The womb service reportedly receives between 15 to 25 orders for contraception each week. In addition to distribution, the group organizes sex education seminars, which are held off-campus to comply with university policies. Roman emphasized that as long as the distribution occurs on public property, it does not violate DePaul's guidelines. This initiative reflects a broader trend at Catholic colleges across the United States, where students are stepping in to provide essential services that their institutions do not offer.

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The actions of the womb service raise significant questions about bodily autonomy and access to reproductive health resources. Jill Delston, an associate professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, noted the critical stakes involved for students: “What’s at stake for these students is their bodily autonomy — the direction of the rest of their lives, their ability to pursue their goals, get a degree, have a career or start a family at the time it suits them.” Roman believes that students at other Catholic institutions can also advocate for change, asserting, “It is possible; it is feasible... And you’re not alone in this fight.”

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Critics of DePaul's birth control policy argue that it fails to meet the needs of students, forcing them to seek alternatives outside the university framework. The underground nature of the womb service highlights the disconnect between institutional policies and student needs, prompting discussions about the role of educational institutions in providing comprehensive health resources.

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As the womb service continues to operate, it may inspire similar initiatives at other Catholic colleges, potentially leading to broader conversations about reproductive health access and institutional policies regarding contraception. The ongoing efforts of student activists could influence future policy changes within these educational environments.

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