We are supported and sustained by the dedication of individuals around the world who freely volunteer their time, skills and ideas to improve the lives of women, men and young people in their communities and beyond.

Our volunteers are part of the largest voluntary organization in sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Some of our volunteers

To get an idea of who the volunteers are and what they do, you will find a small number of them featured here.

Debo's story "Family planning helps people, it makes their lives better".	Yaya's story "I like the fact that volunteering brings a lot of different people together and they can learn from each other".
Hadi's story “I want to help others in my area who struggle with drug addiction, that’s why I decided to volunteer for the Kemayoran Drop-In Centre’s outreach programme”.	Kadajata's story "When I first volunteered, it caused problems with my husband; he felt that I was neglecting my role in the home as a wife and mother".
Wondimagne's story "I became an agent because I think that it will improve people’s lives and I like being a pioneer and leader in my community".	Diana's story  "Being able to help these girls and change their motivations and ambitions is a marvellous thing".
Angela's story “I have a long history with Profamilia, my mother was a volunteer during the days of the original founder, Dr Tamayo and I was a youth volunteer until my early 20s”.	Binta's story "More people are using the services, and often come for condoms, especially at the weekend".
Rosemary's story “The realization that  I was not alone and there were others in my situation made me stronger".	Danil's story "Young people are exposed to sexual and reproductive health problems due to lack of awareness".
Mengieh's story "Volunteering for GFPA is very important, without volunteers there will be no GFPA and without GFPA there will be no family planning".	Myriam's story "I feel empowered by my work and helping women in my situation".
Gassamingding's story "I had to educate the parents before I was allowed to educate the children!"	Awattef's story "Without the clinic we would have to travel miles to get these services. I open my house to any one who wants to visit the clinic – everyone is always welcome.”

Leadership from the field

Most of our volunteers are members of their national organization. As such, they have voting rights and can serve as trustees of their organisation and can also be elected to the Governing Council of IPPF which consists of 30 individuals with equal representation from IPPF’s six regions.

There is a direct connection between IPPF’s governing body and the realities in which the national organizations operate.

What do volunteers do?

There is no defined set of activities for volunteers, often they help in whatever way they can and wherever useful.

The backgrounds, skills and interests of the millions of volunteers are very diverse.

Many are involved in helping their peers through education and outreach and community based programmes.

Others act as local advocates for sexual and reproductive rights or lend their expertise in specific areas such as medical, social, legal and financial.

There are many terms which are used to describe them: volunteers, members, activists, supporters. Whatever term is used, they are all united behind IPPF’s single vision and a shared set of core values.

Volunteers were the activists who founded IPPF and remain central to our future. 

Become a volunteer

Have you got time to help transform people's lives?  If you share the vision and values of IPPF and want to be part of taking the movement forward, please contact the organisation in the country where you live. The countries are shown here.