The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Every year, representatives of member states gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide. This year’s priority theme of the CSW is ‘women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work’. IPPF is working with partners to make sure that sexual and reproductive health and rights are considered central to women’s economic empowerment within negotiations at the CSW.   "Sexual & reproductive health&rights shape women’s chances to access and stay in decent work" @PreeSundaram, IPPF https://t.co/IJWikHVSrB #CSW61 — IPPF Global (@ippf) March 13, 2017 Read our latest briefing to find out why sexual and reproductive health and rights are central to women’s economic empowerment.  See the full list of IPPF hosted events at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 61. WANT TO GET INVOLVED? SUBSCRIBE NOW TO GET UPDATES FROM IPPF SUPPORT OUR WORK WITH A DONATION  

New legislation in Bangladesh which will allow girls under the age of 18 to be married-off legally in “special circumstances” is a step backwards for young woman, the International Planned Parenthood Federation has warned. The Child Marriage restraint Bill 2017 gives parents or guardians the ability to seek a court order for children to be married-off in their “best interests.” Currently, it is illegal for girls under 18 or men under 21 to marry in Bangladesh, although the law is widely flouted. The new law opens the possibility of girls who have been raped being married to their attackers or girls who have become pregnant being married to abusers. Anjali Sen, regional director for IPPF’s South Asia Region, which includes Bangladesh, said the new legislation was a move in the wrong direction. “Any legislation which opens the possibility of young girls being forced into marriage is going the wrong way,” she said. “Countries around the world and in the South Asia region are looking to close loopholes around child marriage and tighten restrictions, rather than create new exceptions which allow it. “We know that early marriage for young girls is likely to lead to them dropping out of school and narrows their life chances. “This new legislation appears to work against Bangladesh’s welcome commitment to ending child marriage – which means marriage before 18 – by 2041 and reducing it by a third by 2021. “IPPF would urge the Government of Bangladesh to think again about this legislation and the rights of the young girls it threatens to undermine.” Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, according to a 2016 UNICEF report, which said 52% of girls in Bangladesh were married before the age of 18 and nearly 20% by 15. IPPF is a global federation of locally-owned associations and partners providing and campaigning for sexual and reproductive health care and rights in 170 countries.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) today welcomed the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, announcement of $4 million for support to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The funding announcement to IPPF came as governments pledged their support at the She Decides conference in Brussels, Belgium today.   “Every woman + girl must be treated with dignity and respect.” Watch Canada’s position on sexual reproductive health & rights #SRHR pic.twitter.com/3xxPkne8wG — Development Canada (@CanadaDev) February 3, 2017 Tewodros Melesse, IPPF Director General said on news of the announcement “We are delighted that the quality of our work to reach the world's poorest and most vulnerable women and girls is recognised through this contribution from Global Affairs Canada.  Ensuring women and girls health and rights is critical for their development, that of their family and the advancement of their country.” “Canada's support is part of their ongoing commitment to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights and to be part of the global movement to advance women’s health and rights.”    

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is grateful to the international community for its ongoing support for women and girls through the She Decides initiative. The announcement of a funding summit to support the campaign, to be held in Brussels on 2 March, emphasizes an international commitment to safeguarding women’s sexual and reproductive rights. Tewodros Melesse, IPPF Director General said: “It is reassuring to know that when one government takes a step backwards on the issue of women’s rights, so many more are willing to step forward. “The ‘She Decides’ initiative is a crucial lifeline for the millions of people who will be unjustly punished by this policy and emphasizes the international community’s commitment to creating a world built on unity, equality and opportunity. “The summit in March will be a valuable opportunity for progressive governments to come together and begin the challenging task of mitigating the damage of this regressive and oppressive policy.”   IPPF’s Member Associations will be speaking at the conference to give their account of the impact of the Global Gag Rule.

The Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APGPD) welcomes the commitment by the Australian Government to continue funding the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s work with women during humanitarian crises. Over 800 women and girls are dying every day from complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Three in five preventable maternal deaths occur in conflict, displacement and natural disasters. When disasters hit we must not forget women still need access to safe birthing spaces, family planning services, and protection against sexual violence. Since commencing in 2007 the IPPF SPRINT (Sexual and Reproductive Health Program in Crisis and Post-Crisis Settings) initiative has supported over 890,000 people through times of disaster including in Fiji, Nepal and Vanuatu. The APGPD is pleased to see the Australian Government continuing to support women in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. While other countries are pulling back and leaving women and children vulnerable it is vital Australia continues to show global leadership focused on gender equality. Access to reproductive health services is a key component of women’s empowerment, with better health outcomes leading to better education and economic outcomes for all. The Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APGPD) is a cross-party group of parliamentarians who work collaboratively to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment globally. The APGPD was established in 1995 as part of a global network of parliamentary groups and is a member of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.

Melbourne, February 8, 2017 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is proud to launch the latest phase of the SPRINT initiative, delivered through IPPF’s new, dedicated global humanitarian platform, IPPF Humanitarian. Together, they are thought to be the single largest humanitarian effort worldwide exclusively focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights in crises. Commencing in 2007 and now in its third phase, the SPRINT initiative continues to be generously supported by the Australian Government. Running from 2017 to 2019, Phase 3 of SPRINT will enable IPPF to reach communities affected by natural disasters – particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Very welcome announcement made today by @JulieBishopMP at #AAC2017 of $9.5m for sexual and reproductive health during crises via @ippf — ACFID (@ACFID) February 14, 2017 Sexual and reproductive health and rights in emergencies are too often overlooked and under-funded. When left ignored, women and girls in crisis situations are particularly vulnerable and face numerous health and psychosocial risks. At any given time, one in five women in a crisis may be pregnant, whilst over 500 women and girls die daily in conflict and fragile states from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Thank you @IPPF DG Tewodros Melesse for inspiring words on how reproductive health saves lives & helps #womenandgirls globally #SRHR pic.twitter.com/rFCGsIiDgy — Jamie Isbister (@AusHumanitarian) February 14, 2017   The SPRINT initiative addresses this situation by ensuring access to high-quality care through the Minimum Initial Service Package for Reproductive Health, an internationally recognised standard. IPPF and its Member Associations work to support national governments of disaster-prone countries to be ready when disaster strikes, and more able to respond and recover. IPPF’s Director General, Mr. Tewodros Melesse, has welcomed the launch of SPRINT 3 and the official opening of the new IPPF Humanitarian Hub in Bangkok, Thailand and Sub-Hub in Suva, Fiji. “IPPF praises the ongoing support and leadership of the Australian Government and the generosity of the Australian people in prioritising this critical and under-funded element of humanitarian response. IPPF is immensely grateful for the opportunity to continue its long-standing partnership with the Australian Government, together ensuring that women and girls in crises can access life-saving sexual and reproductive health care when they need it most.”   Press Contact Johanna Wicks, Chief – Australia and New Zealand Office, IPPF Email: [email protected] Phone: (+61) 3 8459 2185