Blogs

Abdoulaye Camara is the best dancer in the neighbourhood, and he’s not afraid to show it. Abdoulaye’s moves are not just for fun. He is head of the dance troupe of the Youth Action Movement, belonging to the Association Malienne pour la Protection et la Promotion de la Famille (AMPPF), which uses dance and comedy sketches to talk about sex.

It’s a real event when the AMPPF mobile clinic rolls into town once a month in Bamako, Mali. It plays a vital role in allowing people living in poorly serviced areas to access sexual and reproductive health services, and reliable information safely.

AMPPF lost $1,500,000 of funding as a result of the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule (GGR). The results of this policy change were immediate and devastating in Mali. The situation turned around with Canadian government funds to the SheDecides project, which has helped fill the gap left by GGR.

This has been a year like no other. Yet the fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights by our awe-inspiring teams and partners around the world has continued in the face of uncharted challenges. Here, we share 20 moments from 2020 that have helped shape the year for IPPF.

This year, we are putting the spotlight on the links between gender-based violence and the world of work. This could mean the violence and harassment women face while working, or on their way to/from work, or the harm they face at home which has an impact on their working lives.

The landscape of period products has changed dramatically in recent years. From the more 'traditional' options of sanitary pads and tampons, to the innovative absorbent underwear, there are lots of options. Allow us to show you some them!

A recent troubling ruling in Poland has imposed a near ban on abortion. The result will be agonizing for women and their families, forcing some to continue through pregnancies against their will, while others will have no choice but to travel abroad to seek care, or to seek underground abortions.

The COVID-19 pandemic requires a radical response when typical efforts to tackle sexual and reproductive health needs are more difficult to deliver.

20-year-old Zahra Amri has been working with Chama cha Uzazi na Malezi Bora Tanzania (UMATI) since she was 13. Starting out as a Youth Action Movement (YAM) member, she then became a peer educator for young people and now works at UMATI’s Youth Center.

IPPF interviewed the Peruvian Institute for Responsible Parenthood’s (INPPARES) Executive Director, Irma Ramos, to discuss what it means to be a member of a global Federation like IPPF, and what her hopes are for the Americas region. This interview is available in English and Spanish.