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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.  

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

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.  

women in Nepal, one of the country affected by the Global Gag Rule
news item

| 30 January 2017

Extended Mexico City Policy detrimental to health care of world's poorest

Mexico City Policy will have a devastating impact for International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) with its extension far beyond family planning.  Restrictions into support for HIV, maternal health and infectious diseases programmes will mean that millions will be denied lifesaving healthcare they need. The policy will hit hardest, the women living at the margins of society – the poorest, the most remote and those under 25.    The Global Gag Rule, also known as the Mexico City Policy, denies US funding to organizations who provide any abortion related services, including counselling, even when such services are legal in a national context.   IPPF has a special focus on working with the world’s most poor and vulnerable and tailoring services to meet their needs. At country levels, the US funding loss will reduce or halt IPPF’s services and arrest opportunities to scale up, build capacity and reach more people.   Tewodros Melesse, IPPF Director General, said in reaction, “For over 30 years, the Mexico City Policy has played politics with women’s lives. It is a cynical attempt to silence the choice and voice of the world’s poorest women.  As a champion for them and people everywhere, we will not be held back.   "This extended policy covers every aspect of IPPF’s work with the world's poorest people. It also fails in its stated intent to reduce the global incidence of abortion. With the expansion of its restrictions to work on broader health efforts it is short-sighted and dangerous, and threatens years of IPPF gains to advance the health and well-being of communities and undercuts health care access for millions worldwide.”   The extended policy will now affect IPPF’s long record of working on HIV prevention in more than 20 countries covering Africa and Latin America often providing clients integrated sexual and reproductive health care services. The Global Gag rule could also endanger emergency funding for Zika prevention, education and health services in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the epidemic continues to rage.   Examples of Country Impact: Barbados: IPPF partner Barbados Family Planning Association receives funding from the U.S. government to provide HIV prevention and education services to at-risk, hard-to-reach populations including men who have sex with men. The Caribbean has the second-highest HIV prevalence rate among adults after Sub-Saharan Africa.   Nepal: IPPF aims to increase voluntary use of family planning services by increasing accessibility and availability of quality comprehensive family planning services to the hard to reach, disadvantaged, poor and adolescent populations in 11 districts and increase access to voluntary family planning information, education, and services. Nepal has failing and patchy family planning coverage which is often only available at certain times of the year. IPPF are working closely with the government to expand and strengthen static clinics in selected district hospitals, health posts and health facilities with birthing centers to reach all year round, reaching eligible couples with high unmet need. Malawi: The Family Planning Association of Malawi are providing much needed integrated family planning and HIV prevention to young adolescent and women in Malawi via clinics and outreach teams travelling to communities to raise awareness and offer services for vulnerable young women to prevent and treat sexual  gender based violence, HIV infection and access to family planning. Without funding they will no longer be able to provide or expand this vital information, support community learning and offer both family planning services and treatment for sexual and gender based violence in one place.   The rule blocks critical funding for health services like contraception, maternal health, and HIV prevention and treatment for any organization that refuses to sign up to it.    For IPPF, it means foregoing US$100,000,000 that would be directed to proven programmes that provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services for millions of women and girls who would otherwise go without vital services that save lives.   IPPF is the world’s largest women’s health network with members in 170 countries with over 45,000 service delivery points delivering over 300 services a minute. Individuals can donate to IPPF’s online appeal www.ippf.org/donate     WANT TO GET INVOLVED? SUBSCRIBE NOW TO GET UPDATES FROM IPPF SUPPORT OUR WORK WITH A DONATION JOIN OUR THUNDERCLAP     View my Flipboard Magazine.

women in Nepal, one of the country affected by the Global Gag Rule
news_item

| 30 January 2017

Extended Mexico City Policy detrimental to health care of world's poorest

Mexico City Policy will have a devastating impact for International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) with its extension far beyond family planning.  Restrictions into support for HIV, maternal health and infectious diseases programmes will mean that millions will be denied lifesaving healthcare they need. The policy will hit hardest, the women living at the margins of society – the poorest, the most remote and those under 25.    The Global Gag Rule, also known as the Mexico City Policy, denies US funding to organizations who provide any abortion related services, including counselling, even when such services are legal in a national context.   IPPF has a special focus on working with the world’s most poor and vulnerable and tailoring services to meet their needs. At country levels, the US funding loss will reduce or halt IPPF’s services and arrest opportunities to scale up, build capacity and reach more people.   Tewodros Melesse, IPPF Director General, said in reaction, “For over 30 years, the Mexico City Policy has played politics with women’s lives. It is a cynical attempt to silence the choice and voice of the world’s poorest women.  As a champion for them and people everywhere, we will not be held back.   "This extended policy covers every aspect of IPPF’s work with the world's poorest people. It also fails in its stated intent to reduce the global incidence of abortion. With the expansion of its restrictions to work on broader health efforts it is short-sighted and dangerous, and threatens years of IPPF gains to advance the health and well-being of communities and undercuts health care access for millions worldwide.”   The extended policy will now affect IPPF’s long record of working on HIV prevention in more than 20 countries covering Africa and Latin America often providing clients integrated sexual and reproductive health care services. The Global Gag rule could also endanger emergency funding for Zika prevention, education and health services in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the epidemic continues to rage.   Examples of Country Impact: Barbados: IPPF partner Barbados Family Planning Association receives funding from the U.S. government to provide HIV prevention and education services to at-risk, hard-to-reach populations including men who have sex with men. The Caribbean has the second-highest HIV prevalence rate among adults after Sub-Saharan Africa.   Nepal: IPPF aims to increase voluntary use of family planning services by increasing accessibility and availability of quality comprehensive family planning services to the hard to reach, disadvantaged, poor and adolescent populations in 11 districts and increase access to voluntary family planning information, education, and services. Nepal has failing and patchy family planning coverage which is often only available at certain times of the year. IPPF are working closely with the government to expand and strengthen static clinics in selected district hospitals, health posts and health facilities with birthing centers to reach all year round, reaching eligible couples with high unmet need. Malawi: The Family Planning Association of Malawi are providing much needed integrated family planning and HIV prevention to young adolescent and women in Malawi via clinics and outreach teams travelling to communities to raise awareness and offer services for vulnerable young women to prevent and treat sexual  gender based violence, HIV infection and access to family planning. Without funding they will no longer be able to provide or expand this vital information, support community learning and offer both family planning services and treatment for sexual and gender based violence in one place.   The rule blocks critical funding for health services like contraception, maternal health, and HIV prevention and treatment for any organization that refuses to sign up to it.    For IPPF, it means foregoing US$100,000,000 that would be directed to proven programmes that provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services for millions of women and girls who would otherwise go without vital services that save lives.   IPPF is the world’s largest women’s health network with members in 170 countries with over 45,000 service delivery points delivering over 300 services a minute. Individuals can donate to IPPF’s online appeal www.ippf.org/donate     WANT TO GET INVOLVED? SUBSCRIBE NOW TO GET UPDATES FROM IPPF SUPPORT OUR WORK WITH A DONATION JOIN OUR THUNDERCLAP     View my Flipboard Magazine.