IPPF responds to the new UK aid pledge made at the United Nations General Assembly, to expand access for over 20 million women and girls. Speaking at the high-level event at the United Nations General Assembly, International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said the world cannot achieve universal health coverage without prioritizing universal sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) access for women and girls. 

IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo said:

“We welcome the UK Government’s leadership at this critical time in significantly stepping up their efforts to expanding access to quality contraceptive supplies and sexual and reproductive healthcare services. This will be transformative for millions of women and girls in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalized communities, especially in humanitarian settings. 

 

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is working in close partnership with the UK government through the Women’s Integrated Health programme (WISH)  to scale up efforts at country level and expand reach to millions of new users of sexual and reproductive healthcare.  A second IPPF programme supported by DFID looks at the needs of people in complex and challenging settings (ACCESS) to design and test innovative sexual and reproductive health and rights solutions. This is the commitment and leadership that  puts women at the heart of healthcare. 

 

DFID’s continued strong commitment to the UNFPA Supplies programme affirms its role as a global champion of women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health. The UNFPA Supplies programme is an essential mechanism for supporting women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive services and a close partner of IPPF. We look forward to continuing to work with DFID and UNFPA Supplies to make sure every woman and girl can access the healthcare she needs and deserves.”