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IPPF中国(CFPA)のメンバーがコミュニティの人々に正しいマスクのつけ方を教える様子
news item

| 10 February 2020

Coronavirus appeal: "China’s emergency is our emergency too"

Updated:19 March 2020 Update: This appeal is now closed and all funds raised by 18 March were transferred to our partner the China Family Planning Association to contribute to their services. Further funds raised through the appeal will be used to help our Member Associations impacted by coronavirus. As of 10 February 2020, the novel coronavirus outbreak in China is ongoing and the number of cases continues to rise. In addition to the risk from the virus itself, there is a critical impact on the safe provision of other vital health services in China, including sexual and reproductive healthcare. IPPF’s member association in China, the China Family Planning Association (CFPA), has millions of volunteers and staff providing people with information, education, counselling and social services related to family planning, maternal and child health, healthier childbearing and adolescent sexual and reproductive health. We’re launching an appeal to give as much assistance to them as we can. That includes help in reducing the chance of contracting or transmitting the virus. It’s vital that volunteers and staff stay as safe as possible as they continue to support vulnerable groups, including women, young people and migrants. IPPF’s Director-General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “Global support for China is needed now. IPPF’s member association in China, the China Family Planning Association, is playing a vital role in maintaining its services as much as possible throughout the outbreak. In turn, we are going to do as much as we can to support CFPA’s volunteers and staff. That will include supplying badly needed commodities such as face masks, along with other prevention measures. China’s emergency is our emergency too.” CFPA’s Standing Vice President Mr. Wang Peian said: “The work of our volunteers and staff remains vital. CFPA is actively involved in disseminating knowledge about novel coronavirus, sourcing and distributing masks, assisting the health department by monitoring the health situation in communities on a daily basis, and setting up hotlines for psychological consultations. We continue to provide sexual and reproductive healthcare across China, as well as other provisions for both medical professionals and patients to help stop the spread of novel coronavirus especially for vulnerable people. We are grateful for the support of IPPF, and to everyone who makes a donation.” Our emergency fund will allow us to reach more people with these much needed, and overlooked, services. 100% of donations made to this fund by 18 March were transferred to our partner the China Family Planning Association to contribute to their  services. Want to know more? Take a look at the World Health Organization's latest information on novel coronavirus.  

IPPF中国(CFPA)のメンバーがコミュニティの人々に正しいマスクのつけ方を教える様子
news_item

| 10 February 2020

Coronavirus appeal: "China’s emergency is our emergency too"

Updated:19 March 2020 Update: This appeal is now closed and all funds raised by 18 March were transferred to our partner the China Family Planning Association to contribute to their services. Further funds raised through the appeal will be used to help our Member Associations impacted by coronavirus. As of 10 February 2020, the novel coronavirus outbreak in China is ongoing and the number of cases continues to rise. In addition to the risk from the virus itself, there is a critical impact on the safe provision of other vital health services in China, including sexual and reproductive healthcare. IPPF’s member association in China, the China Family Planning Association (CFPA), has millions of volunteers and staff providing people with information, education, counselling and social services related to family planning, maternal and child health, healthier childbearing and adolescent sexual and reproductive health. We’re launching an appeal to give as much assistance to them as we can. That includes help in reducing the chance of contracting or transmitting the virus. It’s vital that volunteers and staff stay as safe as possible as they continue to support vulnerable groups, including women, young people and migrants. IPPF’s Director-General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “Global support for China is needed now. IPPF’s member association in China, the China Family Planning Association, is playing a vital role in maintaining its services as much as possible throughout the outbreak. In turn, we are going to do as much as we can to support CFPA’s volunteers and staff. That will include supplying badly needed commodities such as face masks, along with other prevention measures. China’s emergency is our emergency too.” CFPA’s Standing Vice President Mr. Wang Peian said: “The work of our volunteers and staff remains vital. CFPA is actively involved in disseminating knowledge about novel coronavirus, sourcing and distributing masks, assisting the health department by monitoring the health situation in communities on a daily basis, and setting up hotlines for psychological consultations. We continue to provide sexual and reproductive healthcare across China, as well as other provisions for both medical professionals and patients to help stop the spread of novel coronavirus especially for vulnerable people. We are grateful for the support of IPPF, and to everyone who makes a donation.” Our emergency fund will allow us to reach more people with these much needed, and overlooked, services. 100% of donations made to this fund by 18 March were transferred to our partner the China Family Planning Association to contribute to their  services. Want to know more? Take a look at the World Health Organization's latest information on novel coronavirus.  

Abortion healthcare worker
news item

| 23 September 2019

IPPF joint statement at HRC42

Co-sponsored by Catholics for Choice, Center for Health and Gender Equality (CHANGE), Center for Reproductive Rights, Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos (PROMSEX), CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, Danish Family Planning Association (Sex og Samfund), DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung), Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar, A.C. (Mexfam), ILGA World, International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), IPPF/Africa Regional Office, Irish Family Planning Association, Le Planning Familiar, Mujer y Salud Uruguay (MYSU), Planned Parenthood Federation of American (PPFA), Plan International, Profamilia Colombia, Rutgers, Sex og Politikk, Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI), Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU), and Women's Link Worldwide. This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and its Program of Action (PoA), a landmark moment for human rights, where 179 countries recognized that reproductive rights are part of existing human rights, and marked a shift to a human rights-based approach to population and development policies, with a focus on ensuring health, equality, empowerment and rights for all while upholding the principles of non- violence, and non-discrimination. Critically, it recognized the centrality of the indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated nature of human rights to issues of population and sustainable development, in line with the UDHR and the Vienna Declaration. Since then, Member States have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitments to the ICPD PoA, including in the 2030 Agenda, and Treaty Monitoring Bodies (TMBs) have significantly built on the rights delineated in the PoA and furthered human rights standards pertaining to sexual and reproductive rights. However, while some progress in implementation has taken place, too much remains to be done. Therefore, we welcome the Nairobi Summit on ICPD+25 which will once again bring together Member States and different stakeholders to mobilize the political will and financial commitments urgently needed to implement the ICPD Agenda, putting the voices and rights of women and girls at the center of conversations, and meet the 3 zeros: zero gender-based violence, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero preventable maternal deaths. As we approach September 28th, the International Safe Abortion Day, whose theme for 2019 is “abortion is healthcare,” we cannot ignore that legal and policy barriers to safe abortion make unsafe abortion one of the global leading causes of maternal mortality*,  which in most cases are preventable if all people, especially women and adolescents, have access to safe, legal abortion.  Let’s not deny the evidence: safe abortion saves lives. If Member States are serious about ending maternal mortality, the legal, policy, social, cultural and economic barriers to access safe abortion must be addressed. We urge all Member States to make meaningful, measurable national commitments in Nairobi to increase access to safe and legal abortion, in accordance with their legal obligations under international human rights law, in an effort to reach zero preventable maternal deaths, and to commit to report on progress in its implementation. (*Lisa B Haddad, MD, MA, and Nawal M Nour, MD, MPH, Unsafe Abortion: Unnecessary Maternal Mortality, Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Spring; 2(2): 122–126, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2709326/; Su Mon Latt, Allison Milner & Anne Kavanagh, Abortion laws reform may reduce maternal mortality: an ecological study in 162 countries, BMC Women's Health 2019 19(1) https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-018-0705-y. See also Medecins Sans Frontiers, 2019 Unsafe abortion: a forgotten emergency, https://www.msf.org/unsafe-abortion-forgotten-emergency-womens-health; Susheela Singh, Lisa Remez, Gilda Sedgh, Lorraine Kwok and Tsuyoshi Onda, Guttmacher Institute, Abortion Worldwide 2017: Uneven Progress and Unequal Access (2018) https://www.guttmacher.org/report/abortion-worldwide-2017)

Abortion healthcare worker
news_item

| 23 September 2019

IPPF joint statement at HRC42

Co-sponsored by Catholics for Choice, Center for Health and Gender Equality (CHANGE), Center for Reproductive Rights, Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos (PROMSEX), CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, Danish Family Planning Association (Sex og Samfund), DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung), Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar, A.C. (Mexfam), ILGA World, International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), IPPF/Africa Regional Office, Irish Family Planning Association, Le Planning Familiar, Mujer y Salud Uruguay (MYSU), Planned Parenthood Federation of American (PPFA), Plan International, Profamilia Colombia, Rutgers, Sex og Politikk, Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI), Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU), and Women's Link Worldwide. This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and its Program of Action (PoA), a landmark moment for human rights, where 179 countries recognized that reproductive rights are part of existing human rights, and marked a shift to a human rights-based approach to population and development policies, with a focus on ensuring health, equality, empowerment and rights for all while upholding the principles of non- violence, and non-discrimination. Critically, it recognized the centrality of the indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated nature of human rights to issues of population and sustainable development, in line with the UDHR and the Vienna Declaration. Since then, Member States have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitments to the ICPD PoA, including in the 2030 Agenda, and Treaty Monitoring Bodies (TMBs) have significantly built on the rights delineated in the PoA and furthered human rights standards pertaining to sexual and reproductive rights. However, while some progress in implementation has taken place, too much remains to be done. Therefore, we welcome the Nairobi Summit on ICPD+25 which will once again bring together Member States and different stakeholders to mobilize the political will and financial commitments urgently needed to implement the ICPD Agenda, putting the voices and rights of women and girls at the center of conversations, and meet the 3 zeros: zero gender-based violence, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero preventable maternal deaths. As we approach September 28th, the International Safe Abortion Day, whose theme for 2019 is “abortion is healthcare,” we cannot ignore that legal and policy barriers to safe abortion make unsafe abortion one of the global leading causes of maternal mortality*,  which in most cases are preventable if all people, especially women and adolescents, have access to safe, legal abortion.  Let’s not deny the evidence: safe abortion saves lives. If Member States are serious about ending maternal mortality, the legal, policy, social, cultural and economic barriers to access safe abortion must be addressed. We urge all Member States to make meaningful, measurable national commitments in Nairobi to increase access to safe and legal abortion, in accordance with their legal obligations under international human rights law, in an effort to reach zero preventable maternal deaths, and to commit to report on progress in its implementation. (*Lisa B Haddad, MD, MA, and Nawal M Nour, MD, MPH, Unsafe Abortion: Unnecessary Maternal Mortality, Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Spring; 2(2): 122–126, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2709326/; Su Mon Latt, Allison Milner & Anne Kavanagh, Abortion laws reform may reduce maternal mortality: an ecological study in 162 countries, BMC Women's Health 2019 19(1) https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-018-0705-y. See also Medecins Sans Frontiers, 2019 Unsafe abortion: a forgotten emergency, https://www.msf.org/unsafe-abortion-forgotten-emergency-womens-health; Susheela Singh, Lisa Remez, Gilda Sedgh, Lorraine Kwok and Tsuyoshi Onda, Guttmacher Institute, Abortion Worldwide 2017: Uneven Progress and Unequal Access (2018) https://www.guttmacher.org/report/abortion-worldwide-2017)

Medical abortion commodities database
news item

| 27 September 2018

New global medical abortion database launched to increase safe abortion access for women

The International Planned Parenthood Federation today launched www.MedAb.org – the Medical Abortion Commodities Database, which houses information on the availability of quality misoprostol, mifepristone and co-packaged mifepristone and misoprostol (combipacks) at national level.  The www.MedAb.org database is a resource for public health professionals seeking information to inform policy and use in reproductive health care programmes. These include public health and service delivery managers, staff involved in safe abortion programmes, donors funding projects on safe abortion and maternal health, policy analysts, clinical service providers and supply chain logisticians. IPPF worked closely with Gynuity Health Projects and Concept Foundation to develop this database to help increase the availability of and access to safe abortion care.  www.MedAb.org includes information on brands of mifepristone, misoprostol or combipacks that are registered and available in a country and – for brands of misoprostol and combipacks – have sufficient and objective evidence to indicate they are of good quality.  Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF Director-General, said: “A woman controlling her body is a woman controlling her life and building her future. Access to safe and legal abortion saves lives. This means working to enable those on the frontline to give women more options when they need it most. We are delighted to launch this database. It will enable those working on safe abortion to identify, select and procure quality commodities that can be used to provide women with safe medical abortion services.”  The database provides collated information on the products that are available in each country. It does not provide counselling, clinical assessments, dosing regimens or other information that is essential for a quality medical abortion service as defined and implemented by IPPF.   As a leading advocate and service provider for safe and legal abortion, IPPF has compiled a list of resources and guidance to complement the database related to global abortion laws and policies, WHO guidelines on safe abortion and access to other organizations working to make abortions safe. Links to these resources are available in the External Resources section of www.MedAb.org.   The database initially includes information on medical abortion commodities in 89 countries; it will be updated regularly with information on commodities in additional countries, and to reflect changes as necessary. IPPF welcomes feedback, information and updates on the availability of quality medical abortion commodities.  For more information, or to provide feedback and updates, please contact [email protected].

Medical abortion commodities database
news_item

| 28 September 2018

New global medical abortion database launched to increase safe abortion access for women

The International Planned Parenthood Federation today launched www.MedAb.org – the Medical Abortion Commodities Database, which houses information on the availability of quality misoprostol, mifepristone and co-packaged mifepristone and misoprostol (combipacks) at national level.  The www.MedAb.org database is a resource for public health professionals seeking information to inform policy and use in reproductive health care programmes. These include public health and service delivery managers, staff involved in safe abortion programmes, donors funding projects on safe abortion and maternal health, policy analysts, clinical service providers and supply chain logisticians. IPPF worked closely with Gynuity Health Projects and Concept Foundation to develop this database to help increase the availability of and access to safe abortion care.  www.MedAb.org includes information on brands of mifepristone, misoprostol or combipacks that are registered and available in a country and – for brands of misoprostol and combipacks – have sufficient and objective evidence to indicate they are of good quality.  Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF Director-General, said: “A woman controlling her body is a woman controlling her life and building her future. Access to safe and legal abortion saves lives. This means working to enable those on the frontline to give women more options when they need it most. We are delighted to launch this database. It will enable those working on safe abortion to identify, select and procure quality commodities that can be used to provide women with safe medical abortion services.”  The database provides collated information on the products that are available in each country. It does not provide counselling, clinical assessments, dosing regimens or other information that is essential for a quality medical abortion service as defined and implemented by IPPF.   As a leading advocate and service provider for safe and legal abortion, IPPF has compiled a list of resources and guidance to complement the database related to global abortion laws and policies, WHO guidelines on safe abortion and access to other organizations working to make abortions safe. Links to these resources are available in the External Resources section of www.MedAb.org.   The database initially includes information on medical abortion commodities in 89 countries; it will be updated regularly with information on commodities in additional countries, and to reflect changes as necessary. IPPF welcomes feedback, information and updates on the availability of quality medical abortion commodities.  For more information, or to provide feedback and updates, please contact [email protected].

Guttmacher 2017 report on abortion
news item

| 21 March 2018

IPPF welcomes the release of Guttmacher's report on abortion

IPPF welcomes the release by the Guttmacher Institute of a new report highlighting ongoing disparities in abortion rates and access to safe abortion care between developing and developed regions.  These data provide valuable information for organizations like IPPF working to improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. A key finding from the study is that, although the global annual abortion rate has fallen between 1990-1994 and 2010-2014, a larger decline occurred in developed countries (where abortion is generally legal and available), but rates have not changed significantly in the developing world, where abortion laws are often restrictive. This demonstrates that restricting access to safe legal abortion does not reduce the number of abortions but rather pushes abortions underground, leading to risks to women’s health and lives. Legality alone does not guarantee access. Governments need to ensure policies are implemented and guarantee a favourable environment where all women - regardless of their ability to pay, age or marital status - can access safe abortion care free of stigma and discrimination.  While abortion is a very safe procedure when done in accordance with recommended guidelines, health complications from unsafe abortion - while less serious due to increased access to post-abortion care and increased availability of misoprostol - continue to affect millions of women each year. Developing regions also continue to be disproportionally affected by unsafe abortion, with nearly all deaths due to unsafe abortion occurring in developing countries, the highest number occurring in Africa. As of 2014, at least 22,800 women still die each year worldwide from complications of unsafe abortion; and 6.9 million women in developing regions are treated for complications from unsafe abortions. Very importantly, the study outlines how high levels of unmet need for contraception contribute to higher rates of unintended pregnancy in developing regions, the main reason that women undergo abortion. This shows the relevance of organizations like IPPF working to prevent unintended pregnancy through modern contraceptive services, promote comprehensive sexuality education and eliminate sexual violence and coercion. At the same time, IPPF recognizes that there will always be a need for safe abortion services and will we continue to increase access to safe abortion care through our service delivery outlets while advocating for the decriminalization and de-stigmatization of abortion.  Manuelle Hurwitz, Director of Institutional Delivery, IPPF  

Guttmacher 2017 report on abortion
news_item

| 21 March 2018

IPPF welcomes the release of Guttmacher's report on abortion

IPPF welcomes the release by the Guttmacher Institute of a new report highlighting ongoing disparities in abortion rates and access to safe abortion care between developing and developed regions.  These data provide valuable information for organizations like IPPF working to improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. A key finding from the study is that, although the global annual abortion rate has fallen between 1990-1994 and 2010-2014, a larger decline occurred in developed countries (where abortion is generally legal and available), but rates have not changed significantly in the developing world, where abortion laws are often restrictive. This demonstrates that restricting access to safe legal abortion does not reduce the number of abortions but rather pushes abortions underground, leading to risks to women’s health and lives. Legality alone does not guarantee access. Governments need to ensure policies are implemented and guarantee a favourable environment where all women - regardless of their ability to pay, age or marital status - can access safe abortion care free of stigma and discrimination.  While abortion is a very safe procedure when done in accordance with recommended guidelines, health complications from unsafe abortion - while less serious due to increased access to post-abortion care and increased availability of misoprostol - continue to affect millions of women each year. Developing regions also continue to be disproportionally affected by unsafe abortion, with nearly all deaths due to unsafe abortion occurring in developing countries, the highest number occurring in Africa. As of 2014, at least 22,800 women still die each year worldwide from complications of unsafe abortion; and 6.9 million women in developing regions are treated for complications from unsafe abortions. Very importantly, the study outlines how high levels of unmet need for contraception contribute to higher rates of unintended pregnancy in developing regions, the main reason that women undergo abortion. This shows the relevance of organizations like IPPF working to prevent unintended pregnancy through modern contraceptive services, promote comprehensive sexuality education and eliminate sexual violence and coercion. At the same time, IPPF recognizes that there will always be a need for safe abortion services and will we continue to increase access to safe abortion care through our service delivery outlets while advocating for the decriminalization and de-stigmatization of abortion.  Manuelle Hurwitz, Director of Institutional Delivery, IPPF  

Monika Dragojlovic, volunteer at H.E.R.A. in Macedonia
news item

| 23 June 2017

Small grants for youth-led projects tackling abortion stigma

IPPF is committed to tackling abortion stigma at the individual, community, institutional and legal levels. This year, thanks to the Packard Foundation, we are pleased once again to be offering funding for youth-led projects tackling abortion stigma. These grants (of up to $2000 USD) are available for young people (under 25) working or volunteering in IPPF Member Associations. Abortion stigma will look different and have different solutions in every community. If you’re passionate about reproductive rights and have an idea for a project to tackle abortion stigma in your community, please download the application form and guidance. The deadline for applications is Sunday 16 July 2017 and all applications will need to be approved by Member Associations before being sent to [email protected] English Application Form Guidance French Application Form Guidance Spanish Application Form Guidance   See examples of inspiring projects we have supported in the past.    

Monika Dragojlovic, volunteer at H.E.R.A. in Macedonia
news_item

| 23 June 2017

Small grants for youth-led projects tackling abortion stigma

IPPF is committed to tackling abortion stigma at the individual, community, institutional and legal levels. This year, thanks to the Packard Foundation, we are pleased once again to be offering funding for youth-led projects tackling abortion stigma. These grants (of up to $2000 USD) are available for young people (under 25) working or volunteering in IPPF Member Associations. Abortion stigma will look different and have different solutions in every community. If you’re passionate about reproductive rights and have an idea for a project to tackle abortion stigma in your community, please download the application form and guidance. The deadline for applications is Sunday 16 July 2017 and all applications will need to be approved by Member Associations before being sent to [email protected] English Application Form Guidance French Application Form Guidance Spanish Application Form Guidance   See examples of inspiring projects we have supported in the past.    

IPPFの支援を受ける家族(スリランカ)
news item

| 15 June 2017

New International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International agreement to strengthen future global family planning services

International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International (MSI) announced at their annual Donors meetings this week, a new Organisational Agreement between the two organisations to respond to the challenging environment in delivering sexual and reproductive health services and rights. IPPF and MSI will commit each of their organisational strengths to maximize the benefit to women and girls from each and every dollar received. The agreement, signed by IPPF Director General, Tewodros Melesse and Simon Cooke, MSI’s Chief Executive Officer, acknowledges the value of both competition and cooperation. It is will drive quality, efficiency across services, advocacy efforts and data capture at global, regional and national levels. The agreement also will look at a joint effort to develop national plans in 12 countries. Tewodros Melesse, IPPF Director General, said on signing the agreement “It is evident that the global environment for sexual and reproductive health and rights services has changed. This means that we have to find new ways to improve how we drive services at country level. This agreement is an opportunity to make sustainable change and also ensure that each and every client will get the best experience and care wherever and whoever they are.” Simon Cooke, CEO of Marie Stopes International, said: “We look forward to working in greater collaboration with IPPF on specific projects, to ensure that many more women and girls in developing countries are able to receive the contraception and safe abortion services that will help them take control of their futures. The priority for both our organisations is to get the best outcome for the millions of women worldwide who depend on our services.” The agreement covers three areas of cooperation: Operations: Greater coordination to reduce duplication at national level Mobilise joint strengths to address service gaps in national health systems Extend geographic coverage for SRHR services Increase mix of service delivery channels Strengthen systems for cross referral where needed Strength supply chains Facilitate learning and sharing Work within client’s individuals rights frameworks Delivers providers’ needs Advocacy: Aligned missions for joint advocacy efforts Advocacy that expands access for most underserved Mapping and division of labour of policy and advocacy in different spheres Key deliverables at national and global level that cover advocacy issues, joint plans and accountability of FP2020 progress and implementation Data: Sharing and supporting use of data tools and processes for effectiveness Data sharing for advocacy Joint initiatives to improve indicators and reporting Improving health outcomes through supporting use of client based data Develop a shared research agenda Subscribe to IPPF's updates

IPPFの支援を受ける家族(スリランカ)
news_item

| 15 June 2017

New International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International agreement to strengthen future global family planning services

International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International (MSI) announced at their annual Donors meetings this week, a new Organisational Agreement between the two organisations to respond to the challenging environment in delivering sexual and reproductive health services and rights. IPPF and MSI will commit each of their organisational strengths to maximize the benefit to women and girls from each and every dollar received. The agreement, signed by IPPF Director General, Tewodros Melesse and Simon Cooke, MSI’s Chief Executive Officer, acknowledges the value of both competition and cooperation. It is will drive quality, efficiency across services, advocacy efforts and data capture at global, regional and national levels. The agreement also will look at a joint effort to develop national plans in 12 countries. Tewodros Melesse, IPPF Director General, said on signing the agreement “It is evident that the global environment for sexual and reproductive health and rights services has changed. This means that we have to find new ways to improve how we drive services at country level. This agreement is an opportunity to make sustainable change and also ensure that each and every client will get the best experience and care wherever and whoever they are.” Simon Cooke, CEO of Marie Stopes International, said: “We look forward to working in greater collaboration with IPPF on specific projects, to ensure that many more women and girls in developing countries are able to receive the contraception and safe abortion services that will help them take control of their futures. The priority for both our organisations is to get the best outcome for the millions of women worldwide who depend on our services.” The agreement covers three areas of cooperation: Operations: Greater coordination to reduce duplication at national level Mobilise joint strengths to address service gaps in national health systems Extend geographic coverage for SRHR services Increase mix of service delivery channels Strengthen systems for cross referral where needed Strength supply chains Facilitate learning and sharing Work within client’s individuals rights frameworks Delivers providers’ needs Advocacy: Aligned missions for joint advocacy efforts Advocacy that expands access for most underserved Mapping and division of labour of policy and advocacy in different spheres Key deliverables at national and global level that cover advocacy issues, joint plans and accountability of FP2020 progress and implementation Data: Sharing and supporting use of data tools and processes for effectiveness Data sharing for advocacy Joint initiatives to improve indicators and reporting Improving health outcomes through supporting use of client based data Develop a shared research agenda Subscribe to IPPF's updates