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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.  

LGBTI flag
news item

| 09 January 2020

IPPF's new project sets to change discriminatory laws related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in 12 countries

IPPF arranged the first meeting of the project group that is tasked to develop IPPF policy and advocacy work on SOGIE issues in Nairobi in November 2019. IPPF has chosen 12 member associations (MAs), two from each IPPF region, for this important work.  Participants shared their countries’ political situation and discussed possibilities and strategies for changing restrictive laws and regulations.  The participants feedback expressed that they were inspired by the range of advocacy experiences and ideas, the creative solutions to reformulate challenges to opportunities and the wins already achieved.  The world has recently seen improvements in SOGIE rights but still around 70 out of 190 countries have criminalizing legislations. Processes of decriminalization using the judicial system was a main discussion. Participants from MAs in India, Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago described how this had been a successful strategy in their countries and what the role of a non LGBTI health and human rights organisation could be. Examples were shared on how to cooperate with LGBTI organisations, including hosting and help initiate them in their formative stages. Some of our member organisations described the success of building and strengthening partner networks over time to enable the building of skills and confidence.  The participants also spent time discussing how to ensure institutional strengthening of their organisations ensuring the SOGIE knowledge and competence when carrying out advocacy. Making use of interns and ensuring this competence in the governing boards were among examples given. International human rights mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review are advocacy opportunities where the organisations are participating through writing shadow reports and reporting the situation on the ground. In addition, there were presentations of how to address public opinion (this film from Romania can be used as an example) and raise awareness of changes that are needed, as well as how to build movements and the importance for collecting evidence and data.  All these efforts require funding, thus the participants made advocacy plans that can be used when applying for support. The advocacy plans were made according to the IPPF strategies and the participants discussed how to make use of the IPPF tools.  At the end the participants watched the upcoming documentary The Art of Sin about the first gay man from Sudan to come out, by Ibrahim Mursal (co-produced by Sex og Politikk, IPPF’s MA in Norway). The film follows the artist Ahmed Umar as he comes out and explores his identity both in Sudan (where death penalty can be imposed on men who have sex with men) and Norway.    List of participants:   The participants came from 12 IPPF member associations (MAs), two from each of the 6 IPPF regions in the world: Tunisia (ATSR), Morocco (AMPF), Botswana (BFWA), Kenya (FHOK), India (FPAI), Sri Lanka (FPASL), Nord-Macedonia (HERA), Romania (SECS), Cambodia (RHAC), Indonesia (PKBI), Guyana (GRPA) and Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) as well as the steering group and the secretariat. The IPPF Steering Committee has one representative from each of IPPF 6 regions: Africa, Arab World, Europe, South East Asia and Oceania, South Asia and Western Hemisphere.  The secretariat of the project is based at IPPF Norway (Sex og Politikk).  

LGBTI flag
news_item

| 09 January 2020

IPPF's new project sets to change discriminatory laws related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in 12 countries

IPPF arranged the first meeting of the project group that is tasked to develop IPPF policy and advocacy work on SOGIE issues in Nairobi in November 2019. IPPF has chosen 12 member associations (MAs), two from each IPPF region, for this important work.  Participants shared their countries’ political situation and discussed possibilities and strategies for changing restrictive laws and regulations.  The participants feedback expressed that they were inspired by the range of advocacy experiences and ideas, the creative solutions to reformulate challenges to opportunities and the wins already achieved.  The world has recently seen improvements in SOGIE rights but still around 70 out of 190 countries have criminalizing legislations. Processes of decriminalization using the judicial system was a main discussion. Participants from MAs in India, Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago described how this had been a successful strategy in their countries and what the role of a non LGBTI health and human rights organisation could be. Examples were shared on how to cooperate with LGBTI organisations, including hosting and help initiate them in their formative stages. Some of our member organisations described the success of building and strengthening partner networks over time to enable the building of skills and confidence.  The participants also spent time discussing how to ensure institutional strengthening of their organisations ensuring the SOGIE knowledge and competence when carrying out advocacy. Making use of interns and ensuring this competence in the governing boards were among examples given. International human rights mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review are advocacy opportunities where the organisations are participating through writing shadow reports and reporting the situation on the ground. In addition, there were presentations of how to address public opinion (this film from Romania can be used as an example) and raise awareness of changes that are needed, as well as how to build movements and the importance for collecting evidence and data.  All these efforts require funding, thus the participants made advocacy plans that can be used when applying for support. The advocacy plans were made according to the IPPF strategies and the participants discussed how to make use of the IPPF tools.  At the end the participants watched the upcoming documentary The Art of Sin about the first gay man from Sudan to come out, by Ibrahim Mursal (co-produced by Sex og Politikk, IPPF’s MA in Norway). The film follows the artist Ahmed Umar as he comes out and explores his identity both in Sudan (where death penalty can be imposed on men who have sex with men) and Norway.    List of participants:   The participants came from 12 IPPF member associations (MAs), two from each of the 6 IPPF regions in the world: Tunisia (ATSR), Morocco (AMPF), Botswana (BFWA), Kenya (FHOK), India (FPAI), Sri Lanka (FPASL), Nord-Macedonia (HERA), Romania (SECS), Cambodia (RHAC), Indonesia (PKBI), Guyana (GRPA) and Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) as well as the steering group and the secretariat. The IPPF Steering Committee has one representative from each of IPPF 6 regions: Africa, Arab World, Europe, South East Asia and Oceania, South Asia and Western Hemisphere.  The secretariat of the project is based at IPPF Norway (Sex og Politikk).  

Sex og Politikk Hosted an IPPF Conference On CSE Best Practises In Oslo
news item

| 21 February 2018

Sex og Politikk Hosted an IPPF Conference On CSE Best Practises In Oslo

UNESCO recently released revised technical guidelines for comprehensive sex education (CSE), The publication identifies an urgent need for quality comprehensive sexuality education to: provide information and guidance to young people about the transition from childhood to adulthood and the physical, social and emotional challenges they face. tackle the challenges posed by sexual and reproductive health issues, which are particularly difficult during puberty, including access to contraception, early pregnancy, gender-based violence, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV and AIDS raise awareness of HIV prevention and transmission, of which only 34 per cent of young people around the world can demonstrate accurate knowledge complement or counter the large body of material of variable quality that young people find on the internet, and help them face increasingly common instances of cyberbullying. When UNFPA invited partners to a global conference on CSE in Norway, IPPF and its Norwegian member association Sex og Politikk decided to host a conference on CSE to feed into the Norwegian governments conference. On December 12-13 2017, almost 60 participants from 31 countries were gathered in Oslo, Norway to discuss CSE. In collaboration with IPPF secretariat, its central office and the six regional offices, Sex og Politikk prepared and hosted the conference. All the regions were represented by both member organisation representatives and regional office staff. After the welcoming speech by NORAD director of health and education Paul Fife on behalf of the Government of Norway a panel of CSE best practices around the world set the scene, where we could hear from representatives of IPPFs member associations (MAs) in India, Denmark, Palestine, Togo, Thailand and Colombia. Laura Hurley, technical adviser on youth at IPPF , gave an overview of the upcoming ‘CSE Institute’, which will be launched as a pilot in 2018. The Institute is working with the Swedish, Dutch and Danish MAs to develop technical assistance for other MAs wishing to build their CSE work, as part of the wider ‘Technical Assistance Network’ initiative. Two successful collaborations between IPPF MAs were also presented to inspire participants. RFSU Sweden’s collaboration with RHAC Cambodia on CSE, as well as Sex og Politikk Norway’s collaboration with CFPA Cyprus. A lot of time was set aside for group discussions at the conference, to ensure that everyone had the chance to share their experiences. One of the conclusions was that there is a lot to learn from each other and that there is vital work being done by IPPF and its member associations on CSE around the world. More specifically, the participants agreed on the importance of a multi-pronged approach to CSE, and including the whole community as much as possible both to deliver and to advocate for CSE. Another takeaway was to ensure a holistic approach to CSE on all levels. In many contexts, CSE can be controversial, and it is essential to know your context well in order to navigate the climate wisely. UNESCO, Jenelle Babb, presented the revised technical guidelines on CSE for us. Attendees were glad to learn that the guidelines shift from CSE as ‘prevention’ to a positive framework and that links to the Sustainable Development Goals are included. The conference concluded by agreeing a joint statement. The executive director of Sex og Politikk, Tor-Hugne Olsen, presented this statement to the UNFPA/Norway conference on December 14. By: Marianne Støle-Nilsen, Senior Advisor, Sex og Politikk The full report and summary can be found here.

Sex og Politikk Hosted an IPPF Conference On CSE Best Practises In Oslo
news_item

| 21 February 2018

Sex og Politikk Hosted an IPPF Conference On CSE Best Practises In Oslo

UNESCO recently released revised technical guidelines for comprehensive sex education (CSE), The publication identifies an urgent need for quality comprehensive sexuality education to: provide information and guidance to young people about the transition from childhood to adulthood and the physical, social and emotional challenges they face. tackle the challenges posed by sexual and reproductive health issues, which are particularly difficult during puberty, including access to contraception, early pregnancy, gender-based violence, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV and AIDS raise awareness of HIV prevention and transmission, of which only 34 per cent of young people around the world can demonstrate accurate knowledge complement or counter the large body of material of variable quality that young people find on the internet, and help them face increasingly common instances of cyberbullying. When UNFPA invited partners to a global conference on CSE in Norway, IPPF and its Norwegian member association Sex og Politikk decided to host a conference on CSE to feed into the Norwegian governments conference. On December 12-13 2017, almost 60 participants from 31 countries were gathered in Oslo, Norway to discuss CSE. In collaboration with IPPF secretariat, its central office and the six regional offices, Sex og Politikk prepared and hosted the conference. All the regions were represented by both member organisation representatives and regional office staff. After the welcoming speech by NORAD director of health and education Paul Fife on behalf of the Government of Norway a panel of CSE best practices around the world set the scene, where we could hear from representatives of IPPFs member associations (MAs) in India, Denmark, Palestine, Togo, Thailand and Colombia. Laura Hurley, technical adviser on youth at IPPF , gave an overview of the upcoming ‘CSE Institute’, which will be launched as a pilot in 2018. The Institute is working with the Swedish, Dutch and Danish MAs to develop technical assistance for other MAs wishing to build their CSE work, as part of the wider ‘Technical Assistance Network’ initiative. Two successful collaborations between IPPF MAs were also presented to inspire participants. RFSU Sweden’s collaboration with RHAC Cambodia on CSE, as well as Sex og Politikk Norway’s collaboration with CFPA Cyprus. A lot of time was set aside for group discussions at the conference, to ensure that everyone had the chance to share their experiences. One of the conclusions was that there is a lot to learn from each other and that there is vital work being done by IPPF and its member associations on CSE around the world. More specifically, the participants agreed on the importance of a multi-pronged approach to CSE, and including the whole community as much as possible both to deliver and to advocate for CSE. Another takeaway was to ensure a holistic approach to CSE on all levels. In many contexts, CSE can be controversial, and it is essential to know your context well in order to navigate the climate wisely. UNESCO, Jenelle Babb, presented the revised technical guidelines on CSE for us. Attendees were glad to learn that the guidelines shift from CSE as ‘prevention’ to a positive framework and that links to the Sustainable Development Goals are included. The conference concluded by agreeing a joint statement. The executive director of Sex og Politikk, Tor-Hugne Olsen, presented this statement to the UNFPA/Norway conference on December 14. By: Marianne Støle-Nilsen, Senior Advisor, Sex og Politikk The full report and summary can be found here.

International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education
news item

| 17 January 2018

International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education

IPPF welcomes the new International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education, which was published last week by UNESCO in collaboration with UNAIDS, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Women, and the World Health Organization (WHO). This Guidance calls for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for young people to promote health and wellbeing, respect for human rights and gender equality, and empowers children and young people to lead healthy, safe and productive lives.  The Technical Guidance is designed to assist education policy makers in all countries to design accurate and age-appropriate curricula for children and young people aged five and up. Based on a review of the current evidence and best practice from around the world, the Guidance notably demonstrates that high-quality, comprehensive sexuality education: can contribute to delayed sexual debut, increased use of condoms and other contraception methods, and may help promote more positive and healthy attitudes and behaviours regarding sexual and reproductive health is essential to combat the school dropout of girls due to early or forced marriage, teenage pregnancy and sexual and reproductive health issues is necessary because in some parts of the world, two out of three girls reported having no idea of what was happening to them when they began menstruating and pregnancy and childbirth complications are the second cause of death among 15 to 19-year olds The publication identifies an urgent need for quality comprehensive sexuality education to: provide information and guidance to young people about the transition from childhood to adulthood and the physical, social and emotional challenges they face. tackle the challenges posed by sexual and reproductive health issues, which are particularly difficult during puberty, including access to contraception, early pregnancy, gender-based violence, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV and AIDS raise awareness of HIV prevention and transmission, of which only 34 per cent of young people around the world can demonstrate accurate knowledge complement or counter the large body of material of variable quality that young people find on the internet, and help them face increasingly common instances of cyberbullying. IPPF is committed to increasing access to rights-based, inclusive CSE, and in 2016 we provided over 28 million young people with a quality-assured CSE programme. Our Framework for Comprehensive Sexuality Education supports the provision of CSE that equips young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values they need to determine and enjoy their sexuality – physically and emotionally, individually and in relationships. IPPF has reaffirmed this commitment by including CSE as a key objective of our Strategic Framework and pledging to enable one billion people to act freely on their sexual and reproductive health and rights by 2022. We congratulate all stakeholders who rallied together to produce this Guidance in support of young people’s right to education and information about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.  

International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education
news_item

| 17 January 2018

International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education

IPPF welcomes the new International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education, which was published last week by UNESCO in collaboration with UNAIDS, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Women, and the World Health Organization (WHO). This Guidance calls for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for young people to promote health and wellbeing, respect for human rights and gender equality, and empowers children and young people to lead healthy, safe and productive lives.  The Technical Guidance is designed to assist education policy makers in all countries to design accurate and age-appropriate curricula for children and young people aged five and up. Based on a review of the current evidence and best practice from around the world, the Guidance notably demonstrates that high-quality, comprehensive sexuality education: can contribute to delayed sexual debut, increased use of condoms and other contraception methods, and may help promote more positive and healthy attitudes and behaviours regarding sexual and reproductive health is essential to combat the school dropout of girls due to early or forced marriage, teenage pregnancy and sexual and reproductive health issues is necessary because in some parts of the world, two out of three girls reported having no idea of what was happening to them when they began menstruating and pregnancy and childbirth complications are the second cause of death among 15 to 19-year olds The publication identifies an urgent need for quality comprehensive sexuality education to: provide information and guidance to young people about the transition from childhood to adulthood and the physical, social and emotional challenges they face. tackle the challenges posed by sexual and reproductive health issues, which are particularly difficult during puberty, including access to contraception, early pregnancy, gender-based violence, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV and AIDS raise awareness of HIV prevention and transmission, of which only 34 per cent of young people around the world can demonstrate accurate knowledge complement or counter the large body of material of variable quality that young people find on the internet, and help them face increasingly common instances of cyberbullying. IPPF is committed to increasing access to rights-based, inclusive CSE, and in 2016 we provided over 28 million young people with a quality-assured CSE programme. Our Framework for Comprehensive Sexuality Education supports the provision of CSE that equips young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values they need to determine and enjoy their sexuality – physically and emotionally, individually and in relationships. IPPF has reaffirmed this commitment by including CSE as a key objective of our Strategic Framework and pledging to enable one billion people to act freely on their sexual and reproductive health and rights by 2022. We congratulate all stakeholders who rallied together to produce this Guidance in support of young people’s right to education and information about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.  

Yemen mobile clinic IPPF
news item

| 30 March 2017

IPPF responds to the announcement of funding from the Government of Japan

IPPF’s Director General, Tewodros Melesse, has paid tribute to the Government and people of Japan, following the announcement that Japan will support the provision of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for 2017.  The Japanese Government has announced that it will contribute approximately 3.1 billion yen (roughly $28 million) to IPPF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in annual support.  Mr Melesse said: “IPPF is grateful for Japan’s continuing support to SRHR through funding IPPF and UNFPA. Particularly in the current negative climate around SRHR, Japan’s expression of its strong will to continue its support for SRHR is warmly welcome.”  “Japan’s long-lasting support for IPPF and for sexual and reproductive health care and rights has always been appreciated. These funds will help IPPF member associations around the world mitigate the cuts in funding we are seeing from some other sources. This will help protect health and save the lives of many people, especially women and girls.”  Mr Melesse added: “We agree completely with the Government of Japan when it says that the provision of services relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights is essential for realizing universal health coverage (UHC), that ensures affordable access to basic health services for all whenever they need them throughout their lives.  This is stated clearly in the Basic Design for Peace and Health, Japan’s global health policy and one of the outcome documents of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, as well as in an outcome document from the The World Assembly for Women in Tokyo 2016 (WAW), the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI).  IPPF would like to congratulate Japan’s leadership and commits to working closely with the Government of Japan to make a real difference to the lives of women, men and young people in around world and to achieve the Strategic Development Goals.”  IPPF received approximately $1.13m  from Japan in early 2017 for its activities targeted to Syrian refugees and internally displaced people, and will receive funding of $7.76m which was recently approved by the Japanese Parliaments.  

Yemen mobile clinic IPPF
news_item

| 30 March 2017

IPPF responds to the announcement of funding from the Government of Japan

IPPF’s Director General, Tewodros Melesse, has paid tribute to the Government and people of Japan, following the announcement that Japan will support the provision of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for 2017.  The Japanese Government has announced that it will contribute approximately 3.1 billion yen (roughly $28 million) to IPPF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in annual support.  Mr Melesse said: “IPPF is grateful for Japan’s continuing support to SRHR through funding IPPF and UNFPA. Particularly in the current negative climate around SRHR, Japan’s expression of its strong will to continue its support for SRHR is warmly welcome.”  “Japan’s long-lasting support for IPPF and for sexual and reproductive health care and rights has always been appreciated. These funds will help IPPF member associations around the world mitigate the cuts in funding we are seeing from some other sources. This will help protect health and save the lives of many people, especially women and girls.”  Mr Melesse added: “We agree completely with the Government of Japan when it says that the provision of services relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights is essential for realizing universal health coverage (UHC), that ensures affordable access to basic health services for all whenever they need them throughout their lives.  This is stated clearly in the Basic Design for Peace and Health, Japan’s global health policy and one of the outcome documents of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, as well as in an outcome document from the The World Assembly for Women in Tokyo 2016 (WAW), the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI).  IPPF would like to congratulate Japan’s leadership and commits to working closely with the Government of Japan to make a real difference to the lives of women, men and young people in around world and to achieve the Strategic Development Goals.”  IPPF received approximately $1.13m  from Japan in early 2017 for its activities targeted to Syrian refugees and internally displaced people, and will receive funding of $7.76m which was recently approved by the Japanese Parliaments.  

IPPF Humanitarian - Australian Aid logos
news item

| 17 February 2017

Supporting women during humanitarian crisis

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.

IPPF Humanitarian - Australian Aid logos
news_item

| 17 February 2017

Supporting women during humanitarian crisis

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.