On the road in Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas.
Written By Jonathan Stack,
In our commitment to establish World Vasectomy Day as a truly global organization with activities and partners on every continent, this past April 22nd-May 7th, we organized a remarkable journey through the heartland of America. Led by Dr. Esgar Guarin and his wife, business partner, and WVD’s administrative director, Yiya Cuberos, the trip covered:
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In their branded mobile vasectomy clinic
The “Mother Earth to Motherhood Vasectomy Road Trip” promoted shared reproductive responsibilities between men and women and personal choice in family planning.
Along the way, we talked with men and women, both young and old, as well as people of many different backgrounds who all shared a commitment to do right by their family, their community, and our future. The overwhelming consensus was clear: reproductive responsibilities should be a shared endeavor between men and women, and while attitudes about abortion varied greatly, most believed that decisions about fertility and family planning should remain personal and free from government interference.
Dr. Guarin is not only a superb vasectomy provider who cares deeply for his clients; he fully embraces the messages of our movement. So we traversed Iowa and Missouri (and dipped into Kansas), not just providing medical services but challenging societal norms and sparking conversations around reproductive health. The initiative highlighted the crucial role men need to play in family planning, breaking the stereotype that contraception is solely a woman’s responsibility.
The positive takeaway was that while the US is embroiled in a political battle that is splitting the nation, reproductive rights remain one issue that does not necessarily fall strictly along opposing ideological lines and that vasectomy is a ‘safe place’ for meaningful conversations about taboo topics. Many men shared openly that abortion rights, although a complex topic to discuss, is an issue that each person and each couple should decide amongst themselves. It turns out, to no one’s great surprise, that unintended pregnancies are not restricted to one party or another.
Throughout the road trip, Dr. Guarin and his team set up mobile clinics in various towns and rural areas. In one location, we even drove up to a man’s farm and did the vasectomy right in front of his house. All he had to do was walk out the door and into the clinic. The unit comes equipped with all necessary medical supplies, and with support from Yiya, but mostly on his own, he can set up and break down the clinic within 30 minutes. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many men expressing gratitude for the opportunity to undergo the procedure at a fraction of the usual cost.
The funds raised during the road trip were directed towards supporting World Vasectomy Day, which is always appreciated. By aligning his efforts with this global movement, Dr. Guarin not only provided immediate benefits to the communities he visited but also contributed to a larger cause aimed at fostering gender equality and shared responsibility in reproductive health. The “Mother Earth to Motherhood Vasectomy Road Trip” was more than a series of medical procedures; it was a celebration of autonomy and shared responsibility. It underscored the belief that decisions about fertility and family planning should be made by individuals and couples, free from external pressures or government mandates. This initiative not only provided practical solutions but also fostered a broader dialogue about gender equality, reproductive rights, and the importance of personal choice in family planning.
As the road trip concluded, it left behind a trail of empowered individuals and communities, ready to champion the cause of shared reproductive responsibility. The World Vasectomy Day organization successfully demonstrated that when men take an active role in contraception, it leads to stronger, more supportive partnerships and a more balanced approach to family planning.
A final note, with the footage we shot, we are editing a short documentary which should be ready before November. Our hope is to release it before the upcoming US presidential elections and do our part to remind people of the importance of men as partners in family planning.