Media center

Brussels / Istanbul, 13 July 2026 - Amid an escalating crackdown on LGBTQI+ communities in Türkiye, Repro Uncensored, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), ÜniKuir Association and Kaos GL are raising alarm over the suspension of more than 120 LGBTQI+ and feminist social media accounts across major social media platforms beginning on 19 June 2026, according to documentation compiled by Turkish civil society organizations. Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but the annual Pride march has been almost systematically banned and suppressed since 2015. This year's suspensions coincided with the violent suppression of Pride Month events by Turkish authorities, widespread police violence, arbitrary detentions, and broader restrictions on freedom of expression, severely limiting organizations' ability to share urgent safety information, document human rights violations, and support their communities.As authorities intensified restrictions on public assembly, Pride Month events across Türkiye were systematically targeted. Pride marches in Kuşadası, Ankara, İstanbul Trans Pride, İzmir, and İstanbul were banned or violently dispersed. At least 125 people were detained, while journalists, activists, and community organizers reported increased police surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and broader restrictions on civic space. During the same period, the widespread suspension of LGBTQI+ and feminist social media accounts significantly undermined civil society organizations' ability to communicate with affected communities, provide legal information, document abuses, and coordinate emergency responses at a moment of acute need.The suspensions in Türkiye form part of a broader global pattern of platform censorship affecting organizations working on sexual and reproductive health and rights, LGBTQI+ rights, gender equality, public health, and democratic participation. Repro Uncensored has documented more than 500 incidents of account suspensions, content removals, shadow banning, and other forms of platform enforcement in 2026 alone.Just days before these events, Repro Uncensored convened a press conference at the European Parliament with MEP Alexandra Geese (Greens/EFA) and affected organizations to warn of the growing censorship of lawful public interest content across major social media platforms. The suspensions in Türkiye further demonstrate that these are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern with serious implications for freedom of expression, democratic participation, and human rights.The events in Türkiye also follow recent waves of platform enforcement affecting abortion rights organizations in Poland, queer organizations in the Netherlands and Germany, feminist creators across Europe, and civil society organizations documenting human rights violations in multiple regions. Taken together, these incidents raise growing concerns about the role of major technology platforms in restricting access to lawful information during moments of political crisis and civic mobilization."The events in Türkiye demonstrate how digital censorship and offline repression increasingly reinforce one another. Silencing civil society online while communities face repression on the streets accelerates the erosion of democratic space. With more than 500 cases documented this year, these are not isolated incidents—they reflect a broader pattern of opaque platform governance with profound implications for freedom of expression, democratic participation, and human rights."  — Martha Dimitratou, Founder & Executive Director, Repro Uncensored"Algorithms are never neutral. When LGBTQI+ and feminist organisations are silenced during Pride Month, the impact extends far beyond social media - it essentially denies people access to vital health information, solidarity and support. Technology companies cannot claim to champion inclusion while allowing their platforms to erase the very communities they say they stand with." — Micah Grzywnowicz, European Network Regional Director, IPPF"This year, Pride events across Türkiye were met with bans, police violence, and arbitrary detentions, while the social media accounts used to organize, document violations, and support communities were suspended or restricted. For LGBTI+ students and young people, these platforms are essential for information, safety, and solidarity. Silencing them during Pride further isolates communities already facing repression." — İzot Ergün, ÜniKuir Association"The suspension of social media accounts should be understood as a violation of civil society organizations' rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association. However, the more critical issue is that these actions also prevent rights holders from accessing essential services, constituting discrimination and violating the principle of non-discrimination. LGBTQI+ people seeking counselling and support, including services related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), are being denied access to these vital resources. This amounts to a direct obstruction of the right to health." — Umut Güner, General Coordinator, KAOS GLRepro Uncensored, IPPF, ÜniKuir Association, and KAOS GL call on Meta and X to urgently investigate the suspensions, provide meaningful transparency regarding enforcement decisions, restore accounts that were removed in error, and ensure accessible and effective mechanisms for appeal and redress. The organizations also urge policymakers and regulators to examine the broader human rights implications of opaque platform governance, particularly when moderation actions coincide with moments of political unrest, protests, and restrictions on civic space.The ability of civil society organizations to communicate online has become indispensable to democratic participation, freedom of expression, public health, and access to human rights information. Ensuring that lawful organizations can continue reaching their communities without arbitrary interruption is fundamental to protecting civic space in the digital age.For more information or to speak to one of our spokespeople, contact:Martha DimitratouFounder & Executive Director, Repro [email protected] WilliamsInternational Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)[email protected]İzot ErgünÜniKuir Association from [email protected] GünerGeneral Coordinator, KAOS GL from [email protected] Repro UncensoredRepro Uncensored is a global nonprofit documenting digital suppression and supporting organizations affected by discriminatory moderation systems. Through multilingual incident tracking, its global censorship map, research, and cultural advocacy, Repro Uncensored works with sexual and reproductive health organizations, queer collectives, and cultural communities to ensure their content remains accessible. The organization also supports account reinstatements and leads work on emerging forms of technology-enabled harm, including AI-driven abuse.About The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)The International Planned Parenthood Federation is a global healthcare provider and advocacy organization working in over 140 countries to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights. It delivers essential services, including contraception and safe abortion care, and advocates for access to accurate information and bodily autonomy worldwide.About ÜniKuir AssociationÜniKuir Association is a legally registered non-governmental organization based in Türkiye. It works to support LGBTI+ youth and university students through human rights advocacy, access to accurate information, solidarity, awareness-raising, and the promotion of safer, more equal, and inclusive university environments. Through educational initiatives, rights monitoring, support for student communities, and advocacy for youth participation in social and decision-making processes, ÜniKuir works to advance equality, strengthen civic participation, and protect the rights of LGBTI+ people across Türkiye. About KAOS GLKAOS GL is a rights-based non-governmental organization in Türkiye committed to fostering an equal and inclusive society through scientific, cultural, social, artistic, and educational programs that combat all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and individual sexual characteristics. Founded in 1994, KAOS GL emerged with a simple yet powerful mission: to protect the lives of the LGBTQI community and loudly say, "We exist. We live in a society that is not only sexist but also heterosexist." The organization’s work is structured around four core strategic programs: Academic and Cultural Studies, Human Rights, Media and Communication, and Refugee Rights.  

September 26, 2025 - At its 80th anniversary, the UN faces its deepest crisis yet. Deep power imbalances, rooted in colonial legacies, and states' failure to respect human rights have undermined accountability for grave violations like the ongoing genocide in Gaza and other crisis such as in DRC, Sudan and for people on the move. This is compounded by massive funding cuts to the multilateral system, with global wealth shifting towards militarization, which has had devastating consequences for marginalized communities. Despite its flaws, the UN remains a key player where all countries can confront common challenges. For generations, it has been a lifeline for millions, providing food and essential medicines and serving as a shelter of universal standards when rights are violated, particularly providing important humanitarian responses. The UN has also been a catalyst for civil society engagement in global governance.  IPPF recognizes the urgent and long overdue need for UN reform to transform the institution and make it responsive to real-world challenges and to the people it exists to serve, such as women, girls, indigenous peoples, LGBTQI+ and people of African descent. Such changes must strengthen the UN’s ability to uphold its purpose and values, not to dismantle the organization or deviate from those principles. Although reforming the UN Security Council is a complex and politically challenging task, distinct from the current UN80 reform, IPPF notes that without meaningful reform of the UN Security Council, the UN will remain paralyzed in the face of current tensions and wars.   Regarding the UN80 reform, IPPF is commenting on the UN Secretary-General’s report on ‘Workstream 3: Changing Structures and Realigning Programmes’:  Human rights at the center Human rights are one of the three pillars of the UN and our guiding star in a world full of crises, however, the U.N. has spent just 5 percent of its total budget on human rights. The revision of the budget for 2026 will disproportionately affect this underfunded pillar, with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights facing a 15% cut in the funds for next year. In 2025, the UN has already suspended key activities including an investigation on the human rights situation in the DRC. Meanwhile, heavily funded anti-rights and anti-gender actors are undermining international standards.  IPPF strongly supports better integration and coordination of human rights mechanisms across the UN, but increased funding is most critically needed. It’s time for all member states to get serious about funding a UN capable of upholding human rights for all and for the reforms of the UN to be driven by need and a strategic use of resources where the UN can best serve.  Strengthen the work on sexual and reproductive health and rights In the current context, where sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are facing targeted attacks at local, national, regional and global levels, the UN’s work – at both normative and programmatic levels – must remain a priority, rather than diminished. The area of protecting and promoting SRHR should not be lost in any restructuring or merging discussion and should maintain independent service provision and program delivery priorities, including for reproductive health supplies and commodities that are more critically needed than ever.  While a potential merger of UN Women, UNFPA, and parts of DESA is being considered to create a more unified platform for gender equality, IPPF believes it's essential to maintain a strong, coordinated effort specifically focused SRHR. It is also crucial to have a clear mandate to support countries in implementing the ICPD Programme of Action and its provisions on SRHR. We see a risk in the current proposal and emphasize that any restructuring must not dilute the critical work on SRHR. Instead, it should reinforce the UN's capacity to advance gender equality and uphold its key responsibilities in this area. Engagement and leadership of affected communities  The UN Reform should be the opportunity to strengthen meaningful inclusion of civil society organizations and voices of affected communities in the UN bodies. Marginalized communities continue to be largely left out of any UN process and prevented from substantively shaping any decisions impacting them. One prominent exception has been UNAIDS, where otherwise marginalised and criminalised communities and in particular gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who inject drugs and prisoners and other incarcerated people as well as people living with HIV have systematic visibility and at least nominal power in decision-making.  The proposal to sunset UNAIDS by 2026 poses significant risks to the continued inclusion of these groups and to the global commitment to end AIDS by 2030. Eliminating the central body that ensures a coordinated response will lead to a breakdown in program development and accountability. Recent data has already shown an increase in HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in the Global South, and HIV-related infections are already rising as a result of global funding cuts — trends that the shutdown of UNAIDS will only exacerbate. Regardless of where the prevention, treatment and response to HIV/AIDS sits, it must remain an integral part of the global health response, prioritize engagement and leadership of affected communities in its governance and leadership structure and programming and integrate crucial human rights and community-led components vital for reaching key populations.  The UNAIDS model of inclusion of affected communities should serve as an inspiration for even stronger engagement of marginalized communities across the UN system as part of the UN80 reform. Moreover, programs addressing the intersectionality and interdependency of human rights must remain central to addressing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.  Localization as core principle for humanitarian action  Every day, IPPF delivers life-saving services to the hardest to reach and the most underserved people, from Gaza to Afghanistan, Sudan and Haiti. In 2024 alone, we reached 67.5 million people, 20 percent of them in humanitarian settings. The UN’s action to deliver a humanitarian response, as suggested in the report, including its proposal to “speak with one voice in humanitarian diplomacy” must be realized with the engagement of local communities and civil society organizations, such as IPPF and many others.   It is untenable to scale back humanitarian operations to a bare minimum when the evidence shows that crises are intensifying in both scale and severity of violations. At this critical moment, the UN must not only expand its operational capacity but also prioritize meaningful partnerships with localized civil society organizations. These actors are not only essential for effective and contextually grounded responses, but they also embody the moral legitimacy of humanitarian action. The UN has a responsibility to ensure their protection and enable their leadership, in full adherence to International Humanitarian Law and the humanitarian principles.  The UN is in urgent need of transformative reforms that are rigorously anchored in the promotion and protection of human rights and conducted with transparency and accountability. The reform must ensure the full, meaningful and transparent engagement of civil society at every stage. Feminist, youth-led, and grassroots movements have been at the forefront of advancing the UN’s normative gains. Any vision for a revitalized United Nations must place their leadership, expertise, and living realities at the center of decision-making, as co-creators of multilateral solutions.  For more information or to interview one of our staff, please contact [email protected] or +66628683089. About the International Planned Parenthood Federation  IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952 at the Third International Planned Parenthood Conference. Today, we are a movement of 158 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 153 countries.  Our work is wide-ranging, and includes services for sexual health and well-being, contraception, abortion care, sexually transmitted infections and reproductive tract infections, HIV, obstetrics and gynecology, fertility support, sexual and gender-based violence, comprehensive sex education, and responding to humanitarian crises. We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and, crucially, no matter how remote. 

(Geneva, 7 July 2025) - The Human Rights Council has renewed the mandate of the only human rights expert within the United Nations system that is specifically dedicated to addressing violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (LGBT) and gender diverse persons.Following a campaign by 1,259 non-governmental organisations from 157 States and territories, the UN human rights body adopted the resolution by a vote of 29 in favour, with 15 voting against and 3 abstaining. Thanks to this vote, the Human Rights Council reaffirmed its commitment to combating discrimination and violence against everyone, reminding all States of their obligations towards people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.The Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) will now be able to continue the work for three more years. The mandate is currently held by South African scholar Graeme Reid."IPPF warmly welcome the renewal of the UN Independent Expert on SOGI. This role is vital at a time when LGBTQI+ communities around the world are facing growing attacks on their rights and freedoms. As one of the world’s largest providers of sexual and reproductive health services to marginalized communities, we know that bodily autonomy and access to care cannot be taken for granted. We look forward to continuing the work alongside the Independent Expert to ensure that LGBTQI+ people everywhere can live with dignity, make informed choices about their bodies, and access the care they need without fear, violence or discrimination." - Micah Grzywnowicz, Regional Director of IPPF European NetworkCreated in 2016, and renewed in 2019 and 2022, the mandate of the Independent Expert on SOGI has been supported by a growing number of States from all regions. The current resolution to renew the mandate was presented by a Core Group of six Latin American countries – Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Uruguay -  and was co-sponsored by 50 countries from all regions. The Independent Expert is tasked with assessing the implementation of international human rights law, investigating violence and discrimination against LGBT and gender diverse persons, and helping States, UN agencies, other mandates and bodies in the international and regional systems to address them. Since the post was established, three successive mandate holders have conducted official visits to 11 countries, produced 17 reports documenting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity - including the impact of the criminalisation of same-sex relations between consenting adults, the need to legally recognise a person’s gender, and the situation of LGBT persons who are forcibly displaced, among others - and sent communications documenting allegations of human rights violations to 171 States across all regions.Having secured a renewal for three more years, this mandate will now continue to support initiatives ensuring that LGBT and gender diverse people can live free of discrimination in countries around the world, and to amplify their voices and testimonies in international human rights fora. Civil society worldwide urges all governments to cooperate fully with the Independent Expert in this important work to bring about a world free from violence and discrimination for everyone.

Every day, over 700 women and girls die - one every two minutes, from preventable causes related to childbirth and pregnancy. Despite this stark reality, this week, a small minority of states tried to sabotage UN negotiations to push an anti-rights and anti-health agenda on the world. From April 7th to 11th 2025, the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) took place with  the theme of “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages”. Governments from all over the world came together in a moment of global health crises to address persistent and continued threats that jeopardize the health and wellbeing of all women and girls worldwide.  This UN process is a critical space where governments, UN agencies, civil society and young people come together to discuss priorities and make shared commitments on sexual and reproductive health and rights. For over 30 years, governments have agreed on standards for access to health services for women and girls.  A very small minority of vested interests are determined to use this convening to attack the Sustainable Development Agenda. We refuse to allow the malicious undermining of hard won gains that impact the lives of millions of women and girls around the world.As recently as last year, governments from all regions of the world reached an agreement to reaffirm these shared goals and commitments. This week, in the face of efforts to sabotage the discussions and negotiations, a vast majority of countries have stepped up to hold the line on the right to health, especially of all women and girls. This disruptive behaviour from a very small minority of extremist anti-rights administrations, is not just a threat to the agenda being discussed today, but also for international cooperation on human rights and sustainable development at large. They are preventing the international community from moving forward and making progress for people’s health, rights and well-being.

28 March 2025 - Today, reproductive justice activists worldwide are mobilising for the Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortion. Over 180 feminist organisations and collectives are uniting to challenge harmful narratives, dismantle barriers, and demand safe, stigma-free abortion access everywhere.  Abortion stigma, fuelled by patriarchy, misinformation, and control, continues to block access, criminalise care, and force people into unsafe conditions. This global campaign demands an end to abortion bans, medical gatekeeping, and the cultural shame that silences those who seek care.  “Deciding whether to continue a pregnancy is our right. The only people who should feel shame are those forcing us into unsafe conditions.” – Mariana Gonzalez, the International Network for the Reduction of Abortion Discrimination and Stigma (Inroads).  Abortion bans don’t just control bodies—they reinforce systemic racism and classism. Wealthy people will always find ways to access safe abortion care, while those from marginalised communities—especially Black, Indigenous, and low-income people—face the harshest consequences. These bans are rooted in a long history of reproductive oppression, targeting those already denied healthcare, economic stability, and bodily autonomy. Restricting abortion access isn’t about "protecting life", it’s about controlling who gets to make decisions about their future.  As anti-abortion movements gain momentum worldwide, this day of action is a rallying cry for bodily autonomy and real access to abortion care.  “Our fight has never been just about abortion—it’s about freedom. Who controls our bodies? We do. Anti-choice forces believe the state, the church, or the government should control us. But they will never stop us—and they will never stop abortion.” – Mara Clarke, Supporting Abortions for Everyone (S.A.F.E.)  “We refuse to be dictated to by anti-rights groups and governments that have seized power. We will continue to fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights for all—especially those who have been excluded and criminalised.” – Melissa Cockroft, Global Lead - Abortion, IPPF  Globally, 1 in 3 women will have an abortion in their lifetime. Every year, 73 million abortions take place, accounting for 61% of all unintended pregnancies. Bans don’t stop abortions from happening, they just make it more dangerous. Giving birth is 14 times riskier than having an abortion, yet anti-choice bans claim to care about safety while forcing many into unwanted pregnancies with far greater health risks.   “Abortion bans don’t protect anyone. They isolate people, fuel criminalisation, and put lives at risk. Everyone deserves access to care without fear or shame.” – Debanjana Choudhuri, WGNRR  The fight isn’t just about legality, it’s about access, dignity, and justice. While anti-abortion forces push for criminalisation, activists are building a global network of support that transcends borders, oppressive systems, and state control.  “We are constructing a new model for reproductive justice—one that is rooted in community, care, and the belief that everyone has the right to decide what happens to their own body.” – Lucia Berro Pizzarossa, WHW & Vecinas Feministas  Abortion is a human right, and we are claiming it.  ENDS  For media inquiries, contact:  Mariana, Communications Manager, inroads – [email protected]   Nerida Williams, Senior Media Advisor, IPPF – [email protected]  Notes:  In over 50 countries, abortion is still criminalized, putting lives at risk. Even where it is legal, stigma-fueled barriers limit authentic access and force people to navigate unnecessary restrictions, shaming, and delays.  Self-managed abortion is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as safe and effective. Studies show that 99% of people who use abortion pills successfully end their pregnancies, with 96.4% not requiring any surgical support. (National Center for Biotechnology Information)  Abortion is also essential for miscarriage care. The same medical procedures and medication used for abortion are critical for safely treating common miscarriages and preventing complications. Abortion bans put all pregnant people at great risk. (Mayo Clinic)   To commemorate this day, multiple resources & events are being organized and shared on the march28.org website. Abortion advocates and allies are invited to join the events and raise awareness on March 28th. 

IPPF welcomes the political declaration adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). As we are marking 30 years after the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, UN Member States need to urgently accelerate the work to achieve their commitments to advancing the rights of all women and girls, especially in light of the current global pushback against fundamental human rights.   IPPF welcomes the adoption of the Political Declaration on the occasion of thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, in which Governments reaffirm their commitment to accelerate action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. IPPF actively engaged in the process by providing technical inputs to Member States and raising awareness of the situations of women, girls and the most marginalized communities and bringing their real-life experiences into the conversation.     The geopolitical backdrop to this year’s negotiations was extremely divided, with key issues such sexual and reproductive health and rights, multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and even the most basic agreed terms around gender equality being challenged.    Following the extensive and challenging political negotiations, the consensus adoption of this political declaration underscores strong cross-regional support for the human rights of all women and girls, the Commission’s mandate, the priority theme and the multilateral system.   The true impact of this political declaration will be measured by its implementation at the national level. As a locally rooted yet globally connected Federation, IPPF and its Member Associations are uniquely positioned to drive the implementation of the political declaration across national, regional, and global spheres. By doing so, we can ensure meaningful change in the lives of women, adolescents, girls, and other marginalized communities where it matters most.  As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Programme of Action and find ourselves only 5 years away from the 2030 deadline for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), no States are on track to achieve gender equality. Women, girls and marginalized communities continue to suffer disproportionally from lack of equality and have their fundamental human rights undermined every day, with grave consequences. In this current political moment, where governments are cutting funding and scale back support for basic lifesaving assistance for the most vulnerable, the renewed political commitment of governments with the adoption of the Political Declaration to accelerate the fulfilment of rights of all women and girls is an important step. It is now crucial to collectively hold governments accountable for their commitments.    IPPF particularly welcomes the inclusion of:  strong references to human rights of all women and girls, reflecting Member States’ unwavering commitment to strengthen their collective efforts toward the full, effective, and accelerated implementation of the Beijing Agenda, including ensuring the full enjoyment of women’s and girls’ human rights.  The reaffirmation of the need for gender-responsive budgeting and gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which is crucial for addressing structural inequalities.  The reference to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in the text, since women, adolescents, girls, and marginalized groups who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, are more likely to be structurally excluded. It is therefore important that the text recognizes the challenges in achieving gender equality for these groups.  A strong paragraph on the right to health for women and girls throughout their life course, including a reference to Universal Health Coverage:  The commitment to ensure that victims of and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and sexual violence in conflict have prompt and universal access to quality social and health care services and access to justice.   The commitment to addressing the risks and challenges emerging from the use of technologies, with full respect for the human rights of all women and girls, both online and offline, and that   gender-perspective should be mainstreamed in policy decisions and frameworks that guide the development of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence  The strong recognition of the role of women and girls in the resolution of armed conflicts, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction.   We are pleased that the important contributions of civil society are acknowledged, however, we regret that the Declaration does not explicitly reference Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), whose work is fundamental in advancing gender equality and human rights.    However, IPPF is disappointed that language on the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as a fundamental component for achieving gender equality was ultimately not included in the Political Declaration, which significantly weakens the text’s scope, as SRHR is fundamental to the lives of women, adolescents, and girls. Furthermore, despite overwhelming data and research demonstrating the benefits of investing in adolescent girls, this critical group remains underrepresented in the Political Declaration.     IPPF urges all governments to unite behind this crucial call to action. Three decades after the Beijing Conference and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for action, the world faces new and complex challenges to achieving the most fundamental human rights for all, which is further exacerbated by persistent structural inequalities.  It is imperative that we act with ambition, courage, and determination to uphold the legacy of Beijing. Looking ahead, we call on the global community to embrace a bold and transformative agenda that secures the rights and well-being of all women, adolescents, and girls and the most marginalized communities—not only for today but for the generations to come.    For more information, please contact [email protected] - +44 7918 845944  About the International Planned Parenthood Federation   IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952 at the Third International Planned Parenthood Conference. Today, we are a movement of 158 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 153 countries.   Our work is wide-ranging, including comprehensive sex education, provision of contraceptive, safe abortion, and maternal care and responding to humanitarian crises. We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and crucially no matter how remote.    Photo credits: IPPF/Hannah Maule-ffinch/Indonesia

On International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, a coalition of human rights organizations are launching a new set of guidelines for governments to protect frontline abortion rights defenders, including healthcare providers. Amnesty International, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Ipas, MSI Reproductive Choices, the Organisation Pour Le Dialogue Pour L’Avortement Sécurisé (ODAS Centre) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) published the Key principles and actions to safeguard abortion care providers as human rights defenders. The document provides a set of concrete recommendations for governments to guarantee that health professionals and other human rights defenders of the right to abortion care for women, girls and pregnant people, can do so without fear of attacks and intimidation. “Despite the global progress we have seen on sexual and reproductive health and rights over recent years, including steps to decriminalize abortion in many countries, defending abortion rights, which includes the provision of abortion by healthcare providers, remains a dangerous job,” said Fernanda Doz Costa, Gender, Racial Justice, Migrants & Refugees Programme Director at Amnesty International. “Abortion rights defenders are failed by many States. On the one hand, States are negligent in their obligation to protect them while, on the other hand, abortion continues to be restricted and criminalized. As such defenders are deemed less ‘deserving’ of support and protection and are actively targeted. The Key Principles show governments how to break this cycle,” said Melissa Cockroft, Global Lead on Abortion, IPPF. “Democracy, human rights, and abortion rights are under attack, and so too are the frontline defenders of these rights. They risk physical and verbal attacks, threats, smears and intimidation to ensure people have access to abortion – a critical and essential health care service. We stand with them today and every day in the fight for human rights, and call on the global community to do the same,” said Dr. Anu Kumar, President and CEO of Ipas. The Key Principles include practical recommendations to: Prevent violations by implementing specific protection protocols and establishing channels to report harassment and receive support;   Enable defenders to exercise their rights without fear by ensuring universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, and decriminalizing abortion – as reinforced by the WHO’s Abortion guidelines; Safeguard defenders’ rights by protecting civic space and tackling abortion stigma; Provide redress, by stopping the criminalization of abortion defenders, and by bringing to justice those who attack them; “As the organized rollback of reproductive rights continues, the attacks being directed at healthcare providers are getting worse. It's time for States to uphold their duty and defend those who are risking everything to provide lifesaving care. We look forward to working alongside and together with governments, professional associations, donors, health facility managers, and civil society organisations to ensure frontline healthcare providers are given the support they deserve,” said Simon Cooke, MSI Reproductive Choices’ CEO. "Comprehensive abortion care is an essential health service. Midwives who provide these services are often subjected to discrimination, intimidation, and in some cases, even violence. In order to uphold women's right to safe abortion care, we need to protect and enable the midwives and health professionals who provide these services. To do this, professional associations, civil society, policy makers and governments need to implement the Key principles and actions to safeguard abortion care providers as human rights defenders," said Sandra Oyarzo Torres, ICM President. “We refuse to stay silent in the face of constant attempts to restrict and criminalize abortion and its defenders, and we commit to stand firmly with this fundamental human right,” said Kadidiatou SOW, Director of the ODAS Centre. An Amnesty International report in 2023 detailed the danger and difficulties faced by those who defend abortion rights and provide access to services, often in challenging circumstances, including midwives, doctors, nurses, doulas, activists and all those who help pregnant people manage their own abortions with medication. The report evidenced how many people working in healthcare settings are exposed to hostility and abuse from colleagues, employers, patients and others who oppose abortion.  Those working outside health facilities are also exposed to physical and verbal attacks, threats, smears and intimidation. Some are criminalized through prosecutions, investigations and arrests. The report also documents cases of stigmatization, isolation and ostracization, and restrictions on rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Attacks are more common in countries where abortion is stigmatized, restricted or criminalised. “Abortion is essential healthcare. Yet, as healthcare providers we are routinely faced with discrimination and violence for simply doing our jobs. Restrictive abortion laws and attitudes cause harm. They create hostile environments that feed abortion-related stigma that smears healthcare providers and those that seek abortion care as criminals. We all know colleagues, unfortunately, who have battled with stigma, career blocking, intimidation, physical attack, imprisonment, and even in the most extreme cases health care providers have been murdered,” said Dr Anne-Beatrice Kihara, President of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). For more information or to organize an interview, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Geneva, 12 July 2024 – The 56th Session of the Human Rights Council concluded today with major advancements for women and girls’ human rights, including the first ever reference to sexual and reproductive health and rights in a negotiated document—which was adopted by consensus.     For the first time in UN history, a resolution refers to the full formulation of “sexual and reproductive rights. The resolution, “Human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS,” urges states to address the specific needs of adolescents and young persons, especially girls and young women, and persons with disabilities in the response to HIV, and “to develop (...) sexual and reproductive health services, as well as education programmes on sexual and reproductive health and rights.” It is also the first resolution on HIV adopted by consensus since 2019.   In contrast to previously agreed language on ‘sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights’, the inclusion of ‘sexual rights’ ensures that young people will learn they have the rights to be free from sexual violence, from female genital mutilation, from marital rape, and that they have freedom to build safe, healthy relationships and families with the person they choose.  “The language adopted today reflects one of the most highly significant advances  on sexual and reproductive rights over the past 30 years at the UN. At a time of increasing attacks on freedom, human rights and bodily autonomy, the Human Rights Council has demonstrated that it is still fit for purpose to protect people’s human rights to live free from sexual violence,” says Estelle Wagner, IPPF’s Senior International Advocacy Adviser in Geneva.  During the session, the HRC also adopted the resolution “Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and Girls”, which urges states to repeal “all laws and policies that that criminalize or restrict the exercise of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights," in addition to reaffirming the right to bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health, reproductive rights, access to safe abortion, and comprehensive sexuality education. The resolution also addresses menstrual poverty for the first time in a UN resolution.  New resolutions on Accelerating Progress to Prevent Adolescent Pregnancy, and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence were also adopted during this session, as well as an updated resolution on Menstrual Hygiene Management, Human Rights and Gender Equality, which took a stronger health and humanitarian lens than the previous iteration.  IPPF worked hand in hand with Member States and civil society partners to ensure progressive and inclusive language in these resolutions would have a meaningful impact on people’s everyday lives.   In solidarity with women, girls and marginalized communities around the world who still face rights violations and significant barriers to enjoy their sexual and reproductive rights, IPPF remains committed to advancing human rights at all levels – from the UN to the local level where our Member Associations tirelessly fight for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all individuals. We are united, we are strong, and we will not back down until all people can exercise their sexual and reproductive rights free from coercion, discrimination and violence.   For media enquiries, please contact [email protected]    About the International Planned Parenthood Federation  The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. We are a movement of 150 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 146 countries.  Building on a proud history of 70 years of achievement, we commit to lead a locally owned, globally connected civil society movement that provides and enables services and champions sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, especially the under-served.  We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity - no matter what. 

Geneva, 4 April 2024 - The International Planned Parenthood Federation celebrates the historic adoption of the first ever United Nations resolution on the human rights of intersex persons! This landmark resolution advances efforts to combat the unique human rights violations that intersex persons face and the obligation of states to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of all people, without discrimination of any kind.   The resolution, Combating Discrimination, Violence, and Harmful Practices against Intersex Persons, was adopted by a vote of 24 in favour and 23 abstentions, with no votes against it. The resolution acknowledges that intersex people exist in all societies and face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in all areas of life. It specifically expresses grave concern about violence and harmful practices that intersex persons face, including children, including unnecessary or deferrable medical interventions made without full, free and informed consent. The resolution calls on states to combat violence, discrimination and harmful practices against intersex people, address the root causes such as stereotypes and stigma, and work to realize intersex people’s human right to health. This is a major advancement in the work of the Human Rights Council to ensure all people can exercise their human rights free from violence and discrimination.  Critically, intersex people and organizations were involved in every step of this initiative, including through powerful interventions in negotiations. IPPF applauds Finland, Chile, South Africa and Australia for championing a resolution which centered the priorities, terminology and lived experiences of intersex persons themselves. IPPF is proud to have worked in solidarity with civil society partners and Member States through evidence-based information, outreach and strategy in order to achieve success in this ground-breaking to guarantee the human rights of intersex persons.  Estelle Wagner, IPPF’s Senior International Advocacy Adviser in Geneva said: “The fact that not a single Member State voted against this resolution demonstrates the overwhelming global support for the human rights of intersex persons. This is a momentous achievement of the intersex community and we are so proud to stand in solidarity at this historic moment.”  As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing LGBTQI+ rights, IPPF is committed to continuing to fight for intersex people’s human rights at every level, from the UN to the local, to guarantee their right to live free from violence and discrimination. For media enquiries, please contact [email protected]   About the International Planned Parenthood Federation The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. We are a movement of 150 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 146 countries. Building on a proud history of 70 years of achievement, we commit to lead a locally owned, globally connected civil society movement that provides and enables services and champions sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, especially the under-served. We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity - no matter what.

Geneva/London, 15 March 2024 - The Ugandan Court of Appeal’s decision to deny Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) legal registration fails the democratic principles enshrined in the country’s Constitution and should be reversed, ILGA World and The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) said today.  Despite having worked to protect the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions for more than twenty years, Sexual Minorities Uganda has repeatedly been denied legal recognition: first in 2012 and then in 2018, when the High Court upheld the initial decision by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau. Six years later, in March 2024, the Court of Appeal shut down SMUG’s hope to register and be recognised as an independent legal entity under the law. “For civil society organisations working on sexual, gender and bodily diversity issues, registration allows them to serve more effectively those parts of societies that States fail to protect,” said ILGA World and IPPF. “Without this opportunity, they cannot conduct their activities formally or receive funding for their work. Ultimately, this decision restricts freedom of association and further pushes those who are already targeted by discriminatory laws to the margins of society.” “The Constitution of Uganda,” continue ILGA World and IPPF, “claims that ‘The State shall be based on democratic principles which empower and encourage the active participation of all citizens at all levels in their own governance.’ Ultimately, the extremely disappointing decision to reject SMUG’s registration goes in the entirely opposite direction. We are in solidarity with the organisation and join them in calling out this missed opportunity to protect better the rights of some of the most vulnerable populations in Ugandan society.” In Uganda, registration is banned for those organisations with goals that allegedly are “in contravention of the laws”. In January 2023, a report by the NGO Bureau detailed how the agency investigated and acted upon several organisations for promoting the rights of LGBTI people and recommended authorities take stricter measures against NGOs that "promote LGBTIQ activities" — including stepping up the criminalisation of activism. A few months later, the Anti-Homosexuality Act was signed into law, further cracking down also on organisations found guilty of “promoting homosexuality”. These actions against LGBTI human rights NGOs are part of a larger crackdown on Ugandan civil society. In November 2019, the Ugandan government shut down more than 12,000 organisations. Such actions have since continued, with as many as 54 organisations suspended in a single day in August 2021. “Across the world, State and non-state actors are mobilising voter bases by attacking our identities and freedoms: we see the same tactics at play here, too,” ILGA World and IPPF conclude. “At this critical time, politicians need to focus on the things that matter – a stable economy and vibrant communities — rather than attacking those who work to support vulnerable parts of societies. LGBTI people and cisgender heterosexual women and girls are marginalised and excluded by policies, legislation and narratives that strip away reproductive rights and criminalise sexuality and gender. But our communities stand united to defend and secure democratic and economic rights for all.”   Notes to editors: ILGA World is a global federation of more than 2,000 organisations from 170 countries and territories, advocating for the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics worldwide. https://ilga.org  The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952, and today, it is a movement of 150 member associations and collaborative partners with a presence in over 146 countries. https://www.ippf.org/    Contacts for media enquiries: ILGA World: Daniele Paletta, communications manager, [email protected] IPPF: Alice Ackermann, communications adviser, [email protected]