The Board of the Safe Abortion Action Fund met on Friday 18 May and awarded $11.1m worth of grants to reduce unsafe abortion worldwide.

The grants will go to Non-Governmental Organizations in 32 different countries to fund 45 two-year projects dedicated to advocacy, operations research and/or service delivery.

A Technical Review Panel made up of 14 international experts in the field of abortion reviewed the more than 100 projects that were eligible for funding.

A total of 172 projects were submitted overall, demonstrating a clear need for resources and a demand for safe abortion that exceeds what is currently available.

It is anticipated that the organizations that receive funding will make progress in meeting this unmet need.

Established in 2006, the Safe Abortion Action Fund is a targeted reserve of resources to enable the implementation of programmes and initiatives to increase access to comprehensive safe abortion services, with particular regard for the needs of marginalized and vulnerable women.

The Safe Abortion Action Fund is supported by funding from the governments of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

IPPF would like to extend a warm thank you to all the members of the Technical Review Panel and the SAAF Board.

These highly skilled and respected international experts in the field of abortion offered their time and services without remuneration. Their involvement and contributions are greatly appreciated.