Students Step Up for Reproductive Rights at DePaul University

Sat Dec 13 2025 00:46:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

After DePaul University bans the distribution of birth control on campus, students create 'The Womb Service' to provide essential contraceptive and sexual health support.

In response to a ban on birth control distribution at DePaul University, students have initiated ‘The Womb Service,’ a network for delivering contraceptives like condoms and emergency contraception. This movement highlights the gaps in sexual health resources at Catholic universities and the ongoing struggle for reproductive rights across the U.S.

CHICAGO — Maya Roman, a college student at DePaul University, has taken matters into her own hands by delivering paper bags filled with condoms and Plan B emergency contraception around campus. This initiative, dubbed 'The Womb Service,' has emerged after DePaul, a Catholic institution, decided to prohibit any distribution of birth control on its grounds.

Sparking a conversation about sexual health, this clandestine operation has become vital for students navigating restrictions imposed by religious values. With no assistance from the university's health centers regarding contraceptive access, Roman and her peers are stepping up to provide essential support.

Despite DePaul stripping the group of its official status due to its connection with Planned Parenthood, the students remain determined. They’ve begun to offer not only contraceptives but also sexual education seminars aimed at addressing the broad gaps in knowledge and resources in reproductive health among the student body.

“It’s about helping students control their reproductive destinies,” said Maddy Niziolek from Catholics for Choice, which aids these student efforts. “With increasing restrictions on reproductive rights, it’s crucial that students organize and advocate for themselves.”

This movement is part of a larger trend across Catholic colleges, where despite limitations, activists are making strides in addressing reproductive health challenges. Efforts such as providing safe access to contraceptives reflect a growing demand for change and empowerment within students at institutions that often uphold conservative values.