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Why was a giant IUD set up in Place de la République in Paris?

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The Editor

© zefart / Shutterstock

Installed for a few hours at Place de la République, a six-meter IUD caught everyone's attention. This bold action, led by feminist organizations, aimed to denounce the massive destruction of contraceptives meant for women in sub-Saharan Africa.

On Tuesday, November 18th, passersby at Place de la République in Paris spotted a rather unusual sight: a giant IUD, proudly standing in the middle of the esplanade before being quickly taken down. This installation, named « Freeda », is part of the European tour Freeda Womb, created by several feminist organizations. Their goal: to highlight the threat to sexual and reproductive rights around the world.

On a sign, the giant white IUD proclaimed: « Hello, I am Freeda, I am an IUD. I am a safe and effective method of contraception. » A straightforward way to remind everyone what tools are at stake behind political decisions.


Millions of promised contraceptives… now doomed to destruction

Freeda is traveling across Europe to highlight a situation deemed “alarming” by NGOs. The issue at hand is the Trump administration's decision to destroy contraceptives funded under Joe Biden, which were officially intended for women in sub-Saharan Africa through USAID.

Stored in Belgium, these shipments are now at the center of a diplomatic tug-of-war between Brussels and Washington. Even worse: in mid-November, Belgian authorities revealed that 20 out of 24 trucks filled with pills and contraceptive devices were improperly stored, making them unusable.

“This is a catastrophic situation for the thousands of women and girls who were supposed to receive them,” warns Sarah Duroch.

er, president of Family Planning, lamenting in passing, “the impressive silence of France.”


A French silence that raises questions

While organizations are mobilizing, some are pointing out a lack of commitment from the French government. "This makes France somewhat complicit in Trump's policies," laments Sarah Durocher, highlighting the importance of Paris' diplomatic role.

on these topics.

For NGOs, the urgent goal now is to save the four remaining shipments, still intact. Freeda's passage through Paris aims to be a visual shock, a way to bring into the public space a topic too often pushed to the margins: the material and political reality of access to contraception for the most vulnerable women.

And while the giant IUD didn’t last long, its message is certainly here to stay.