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Latest news from IPPF

Spotlight

A selection of news from across the Federation

IPPF and MAs at CSW
News item

IPPF Statement on the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

IPPF welcomes the agreed conclusions of the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), on the theme of “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”. IPPF actively engaged in the process by providing technical inputs to Member States, raising awareness about the interlinkages between SRHR, poverty, gender equality and the empowerment and human rights of all women and girls.

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Graphic which reads "Generation Equality Forum, Paris, 30 June-2 July 2021"
news item

| 30 June 2021

IPPF at the Generation Equality Forum

What is the Generation Equality Forum? The Generation Equality Forum (GEF) is a civil society–centered, global gathering for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France. The Forum kicked off in Mexico City, Mexico, on 29–31 March 2021, and will culminate in Paris, France, on 30 June – 2 July 2021. This Forum aims to promote the full implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in the framework of the commemoration of its 25th anniversary, which was unanimously adopted by 189 countries around the world.  Why is it important? The GEF presents a great opportunity for different multi-stakeholders to reignite the Beijing agenda and to embrace this global movement, bring the change needed and make concrete and strategic commitments to build back better and to ensure that gender equality is an aspiration for the present generation and a reality for future generations to come. The Generation Equality Action Coalitions are innovative and multi-stakeholder partnerships focused on the most intractable barriers to equality. Their aim is to deliver concrete and transformative change for women and girls around the world in the coming five years that, if implemented and fully funded, can lead to lasting and transformative change and help to ensure that women, girls, and gender diverse people everywhere can fully enjoy their human rights. They will focus on six themes that are critical for achieving gender equality: gender-based violence, economic justice and rights, bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights, feminist action for climate justice, technology and innovation for gender equality, and feminist movements and leadership. What role does IPPF have at GEF? IPPF is co-leader in the Bodily Autonomy & Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights Action (SRHR) Coalition, where IPPF contributed to four fundamental actions:  1) Expand access to CSE in and out of school;  2) Increase qualitative access to contraception;  3) Empower all people, including adolescents and women, in all their diversity to make autonomous choices about their bodies, sexuality and reproduction; 4) Strengthen girls, women's and feminist organizations and networks to promote and protect bodily autonomy and SRHR.  IPPF's commitments Although important steps were taken, and some progress achieved, the Beijing Platform for Action is far from being implemented. Many obstacles like absence of political will, lack of financial commitment, rigid, restrictive and patriarchal gender social norms and backlash to women's and girls' rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular their participation in social, economic and political life, the right to their bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive rights, discrimination and sexual and gender-based violence have been the reality in every corner of the world. But the paradigm is changing, and different social movements have revitalized the discussions and women and girls are very much in the agenda of governments, civil society organizations, private sector and academia. In Paris, IPPF will commit to accelerate access to safe abortion care centered in three principles- right base, reproductive justice and gender transformative, and to influence change in laws and ensures that abortion is decriminalized and barriers, including to self-managed abortion, are removed. And to collaborate and build a strong, united voice to promote finance comprehensive sexuality education in and out of school, via evidence-based modalities. With our Member Associations at the center, IPPF will present a progressive and aspirational proposal aligned with its organizational vision and that will face great challenges; however, it is well worth it; advancing gender equality with full respect and recognition of all sexual and reproductive rights of girls, adolescents and women is IPPF's ultimate goal. 

Graphic which reads "Generation Equality Forum, Paris, 30 June-2 July 2021"
news_item

| 30 June 2021

IPPF at the Generation Equality Forum

What is the Generation Equality Forum? The Generation Equality Forum (GEF) is a civil society–centered, global gathering for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France. The Forum kicked off in Mexico City, Mexico, on 29–31 March 2021, and will culminate in Paris, France, on 30 June – 2 July 2021. This Forum aims to promote the full implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in the framework of the commemoration of its 25th anniversary, which was unanimously adopted by 189 countries around the world.  Why is it important? The GEF presents a great opportunity for different multi-stakeholders to reignite the Beijing agenda and to embrace this global movement, bring the change needed and make concrete and strategic commitments to build back better and to ensure that gender equality is an aspiration for the present generation and a reality for future generations to come. The Generation Equality Action Coalitions are innovative and multi-stakeholder partnerships focused on the most intractable barriers to equality. Their aim is to deliver concrete and transformative change for women and girls around the world in the coming five years that, if implemented and fully funded, can lead to lasting and transformative change and help to ensure that women, girls, and gender diverse people everywhere can fully enjoy their human rights. They will focus on six themes that are critical for achieving gender equality: gender-based violence, economic justice and rights, bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights, feminist action for climate justice, technology and innovation for gender equality, and feminist movements and leadership. What role does IPPF have at GEF? IPPF is co-leader in the Bodily Autonomy & Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights Action (SRHR) Coalition, where IPPF contributed to four fundamental actions:  1) Expand access to CSE in and out of school;  2) Increase qualitative access to contraception;  3) Empower all people, including adolescents and women, in all their diversity to make autonomous choices about their bodies, sexuality and reproduction; 4) Strengthen girls, women's and feminist organizations and networks to promote and protect bodily autonomy and SRHR.  IPPF's commitments Although important steps were taken, and some progress achieved, the Beijing Platform for Action is far from being implemented. Many obstacles like absence of political will, lack of financial commitment, rigid, restrictive and patriarchal gender social norms and backlash to women's and girls' rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular their participation in social, economic and political life, the right to their bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive rights, discrimination and sexual and gender-based violence have been the reality in every corner of the world. But the paradigm is changing, and different social movements have revitalized the discussions and women and girls are very much in the agenda of governments, civil society organizations, private sector and academia. In Paris, IPPF will commit to accelerate access to safe abortion care centered in three principles- right base, reproductive justice and gender transformative, and to influence change in laws and ensures that abortion is decriminalized and barriers, including to self-managed abortion, are removed. And to collaborate and build a strong, united voice to promote finance comprehensive sexuality education in and out of school, via evidence-based modalities. With our Member Associations at the center, IPPF will present a progressive and aspirational proposal aligned with its organizational vision and that will face great challenges; however, it is well worth it; advancing gender equality with full respect and recognition of all sexual and reproductive rights of girls, adolescents and women is IPPF's ultimate goal. 

Burundi midwife speaks to school students
news item

| 22 June 2021

Global Coalition of over 200 groups call for permanent end to Global Gag Rule

A coalition of over 200 international civil society organizations, organized by Planned Parenthood Global and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, released a joint statement today calling for a permanent end to the U.S. global gag rule. The statement — released as part of a week of action to end the global gag rule — was released in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, demonstrating the diversity of just some of the communities harmed by the rule over the past 37 years.  In addition to the over 200 organizations from 88 countries across six continents that signed the statement today — and countless other people around the world — 70% of Americans favor ending the global gag rule. Dawn Laguens, interim executive director, Planned Parenthood Global: “Study after study has demonstrated that the neocolonialist global gag rule devastates health care access for people around the world, especially those who already face systemic barriers to care. And yet, since 1984, the global gag rule has come and gone with each party shift in the White House. President Biden took an important step by ending this harmful rule for now, but real relief will not be felt until we can permanently end this devastating policy. The global community deserves true partnership from the U.S., but the threat that this destructive policy could reemerge undermines relationships and harms people around the globe. We come together today to tell the U.S. government: It’s time to end the global gag rule once and for all.” Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General, International Planned Parenthood Federation:  "Since its inception, the global gag rule has been a constant threat to the lives of women and girls and their right to decide what happens to their bodies. Designed to deny people safe and legal abortion care, it has also caused unfathomable damage across the health care spectrum — from HIV prevention and treatment to maternal health care. Our member associations on the front lines of care have witnessed this damage first hand. Whilst we applaud President Biden on rescinding the global gag rule, history has shown us that it is ready to be weaponized by coercive, anti-abortion administrations. We urge the U.S. government to break the violent cycle of the global gag rule permanently, so organizations like IPPF can provide life-saving health care without the fear of our ability to deliver being snatched away from us with the stroke of a pen. Together we can work toward a world where no one is left behind when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health and rights."  The global gag rule prohibits non-governmental organizations in other countries from receiving any U.S. global health assistance if they provide, refer, counsel or advocate for legal abortion in their country — even if these activities are supported solely with non-U.S. funds. This cruel policy was originally imposed by the Reagan administration, before being rescinded in 1993 by President Clinton, and then reinstated in 2001 by President Bush on his first business day in office. President Obama rescinded the global gag rule in January 2009, but less than a decade later, President Trump reimposed and radically expanded the policy, extending its harm and devastation to even more women and communities. President Biden then rescinded the gag rule in a presidential memorandum signed on January 28, 2021.   Marginalized communities — including women and girls, young people, and LGBTQ+ people — have experienced the most devastating constraints on services as a result of the global gag rule. Tragically, this harm does not fully stop even when the policy is not in effect. According to the joint statement: “The prospect of reinstatement under future administrations casts a long shadow and leaves the health and lives of millions of people vulnerable to the whims of future U.S. presidents… Even when presidents lift the global gag rule immediately upon taking office, high-quality health partners face long delays in resuming participation in U.S. global health programs. Permanent repeal of the policy is urgently needed to promote sustainable progress in global health and to build and maintain long-term partnerships between the U.S. government, local organizations, and the communities that they serve… Urgent action is needed to finally end the global gag rule once and for all and advance health, human rights, and gender equality across the globe.” The full joint statement can be found here and the full list of signatories is below: ABUBEF (Burundi)  ACABEF (Central African Republic) Accountability International (South Africa)  Action Against Hunger (United Kingdom) Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights (Canada) Advocates for Youth (United States) Afrihealth Optonet Association (CSOs Network) (Nigeria) AIDOS - Italian Association for Women in Development (Italy) Al Hameed educational society (India) Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC) (Uganda) Amnesty International (Global) AMPF - Mauritanie (Mauritania) AMPPF (Mali) AnA - Society for Feminist Analyses (Romania) APROSUVI (Guatemala) Asia Catalyst (Thailand) Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (Thailand/ Asia Pacific) Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) (Malaysia) ASSOCIAÇÃO GUINEENSE PARA O BEM ESTAR FAMILIAR (AGUIBEF) (Guinea-Bissau) Associação Para o Planeamento da Família (Portugal) Association Algérienne pour la Planification Familiale (Algeria) Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille ABPF (Benin) Association Burkinabe pour le Bien Etre Familial (ABBEF) (Burkina Faso) Association Centrafricaine pour le Bien Etre Familial ( ACABEF) Central African Republic) Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien Etre Familial (AIBEF) (Ivory Coast) Association Malienne pour la protection et la Promotion de la Famille (Mali) Association Marocaine de Planification Familiale (Morocco) Association Mauritanienne pour la Promotion de la Famille (Mauritania) Association Nigérienne Pour le Bien Etre Familial (ANBEF) (Niger) Association Tchadienne pour le Bien Etre Familiale (Chad) ASSOCIATION TOGOLAISE POUR LE BIEN ETRE FAMILIAL (ATBEF) (Togo) Association Tunisienne de la Santé de la Reproduction (ATSR) (Tunisia) ASTRA Network (CEE region/ Poland) ATHENA Network (Namibia) Aube Nouvelle pour l Femme et le Développement (Democratic Republic of Congo) Austrian Family Planning Association (Austria) Bahrain Reproductive Health Association (Bahrain) Bandhu Social Welfare Society (Bangladesh) Barnabas Charity Outreach (Nigeria) Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) (Botswana) Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) (Bulgaria) Burnet Institute (Australia) CARE USA (USA) Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (Antigua & Barbuda) Catalysts for Change (United States) Catholics for Choice (United States) Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir - Brasil (Brazil) Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir - Colombia (Colombia) CEDES - Centro de Estudio de Estado y Sociedad (Argentina) Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (Uganda) Center for Reproductive Rights (USA/ Switzerland/ Global) Centro de Derechos de Mujeres (Honduras) Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos - PROMSEX (Peru) CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality (Netherlands) CLADEM (Latin America) Corporación MILES (Chile) Danish Family Planning Association (Denmark) Dr Uzo Adirieje Foundation (DUZAFOUND) (Nigeria) DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung) (Germany) Economic and Social Rights Centre - Hakijamii (Kenya) Egyptian family planning Association (EFPA) (Egypt)  ELA - Equipo Latinoamericano de Justicia y Género (Argentina) Equidad de Género, Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia (Mexico) Famia Planea Aruba (Aruba) Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) (Ethiopia) Family Health Association of Iran (Iran) Family Medical Point (Uganda) Family Planning Alliance Australia (Australia) Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad & Tobago) FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI (Malawi) Family Planning Association of Nepal (Nepal) Family Planning Association Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) Family Planning New Zealand (New Zealand) Family Planning NSW (Australia) Federación Planificación Familiar Estatal (Spain) Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (Malaysia) Feminist League (Kazakhstan) Feminist Task Force (United States) Fiji Women's Rights Movement (Fiji) FILIA Center (Romania) FLAMA Uganda (Uganda) FPA Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka)  Friends Affected & Infected Together in Hand (FAITH) (Nepal) Front Association / Feminism-Romania (Romania) Fundacion Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual (Mexico) FUNDACION CEMOPLAF (Ecuador) Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar, A. C. MEXFAM (Mexico) Fundacion para estudio e investigacion de la Mujer (Argentina)  Fundación Pro Salud Sabana Yegua FUNPROSSY (Dominican Republic) Futures Without Violence (United States) Gestos _HIV, Communication and Gender (Brazil) Girl Up Initiative Uganda (Uganda) Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (United States) GreeneWorks (United States) Grupo Multidisciplinario para la Defensa de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos en Guatemala (Guatemala)  Guttmacher Institute (United States)  Hábitat Mujer Salud (Colombia) Haiti Adolescent Girls Network (Haiti)  Health, Ethics and Law Institute of Forum for Medical Ethics Society (India)  Heartland Alliance International (United States) Hesperian Health Guides (United States) HIV Legal Network (Canada)  Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) (Uganda) INPPARES (Peru) International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law (IANGEL) (United States)  International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion (United Kingdom/ Global) International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) (USA)  International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (United Kingdom) International Planned Parenthood Federation East and South East Asia and Oceania Region (ESEAOR) (Malaysia) Ipas (United States) International Planned Parenthood Federation (Global) Irish Family Planning Association (Ireland) Israel Family Planning Association (Open Door) (Israel) Jamaica Family Planning Association (Jamaica) John Snow, Inc. (JSI) (United States) JOICFP (Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning) (Japan) Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network On HIV & AIDS (Kenya) Kenya Medical Association (Kenya) Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) (Kenya) Kyetume Community Based Health Care Programme (Uganda) L’ASSOCIATION DJIBOUTIENNE POUR L’EQUILIBRE ET LA PROMOTION DE LA FAMILLE (Dijibouti)  Latin American and Caribbean Womens Health Network (Latin America and the Caribbean)  Le Planning familial (France) LI PRIDE (Liberia) Lobi Health Center Foundation (Suriname) LUNA vzw (Belgium) Marie Stopes International (Global) MSI Reproductive Choices (United Kingdom)  Mujer Y Salud en Uruguay - MYSU (Uruguay) Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa (Kenya) Observatorio de la Gobernanza para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo A.C. (Mexico) OutRight Action International (United States)  Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) (Palestine) Pathfinder International (United States) Plan International (United Kingdom) Plan International USA (United States) Plan International, Inc (Global) Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (Ghana)  Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (Thailand)  Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (Zambia) Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (Nigeria) Planned Parenthood Global (Global) Profamilia (Colombia)  Queensway Institute of Technology and Business Studies (Kenya) Raks Thai Foundation (Thailand)  RAWSA MENA NETWORK (Tunisia - for the MENA region)  Red de Salud de las Mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe (Latin America and the Caribbean)  Red Latinoamericana y Caribeña de jóvenes por los Derechos Sexuales y Derechos Reproductivos  REDLAC (Mexico)   REDAAS - Red de Acceso al Aborto Seguro Argentina (Argentina)  Regional Centre for International Development Cooperation (RCIDC) (Uganda)  Reproductive Health Network Kenya (Kenya)  Reproductive Health Training Center/Regional SRHR Coalition for EECA (Moldova/ Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regions)  RFSU (Sweden)  RHAC (Cambodia)  Rutgers (Netherlands)  SANTE SEXUELLE SUISSE (Switzerland)  SCI Foundation (United Kingdom)  Sendas (Ecuador)  Sensoa (Belgium)  SERAC-Bangladesh (Bangladesh)  Sex og Politikk (IPPF Norway) (Norway)  SEXUL vs BARZA / SEX vs The STORK Association (Romania) SFBSP-BURUNDI (Burundi)  Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN) (Nigeria)  Solidarity Sisters Network of Liberia (SoSNoL) (Liberia, West Africa)  Solomon Island Planned Parenthood Association (Solomon Islands)  Somaliland Family Health Association (Somaliland)  Soroptimist International (United Kingdom)  Space Allies (Japan)  Stichting EqualA Foundation (Netherlands/ Thailand)  Stichting Ultimate Purpose (Suriname)  Stop AIDS in Liberia (SAIL) (Liberia)  SUDAN Family Planning Association (SFPA) (Sudan)  Sukaar Welfare Organization (Pakistan)  Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN) (Uganda)  Syrian Family Planning Association (Syria)  TAN UX´IL (Guatemala)  TDJ-BURUNDI (Burundi)  Teens Link Uganda (Uganda)  The African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) (Kenya)  The Lebanese Association for Family Health- SALAMA (Lebanon)  The Lesbian and Gay Association of Liberia (LEGAL) (Liberia)  The Society for Education on Contraception and Sexuality from Romania (Romania)  Together for Girls (United States)  Trust for Indigenous Culture and health (TICAH) (Kenya) Universal Access Project (United States)  Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (United States) Vidhayak Trust (India) WGNRR AFRICA (Tanzania)  William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (USA)  Women Deliver (USA)  Women Enabled International (USA)  Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) (Philippines)  Women's Link Worldwide (Global)  Women's Major Group (Global)  Women's Refugee Commission (USA)  Women’S Way Foundation Suriname (Suriname)  Woodhull Freedom Foundation (United States)  Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (Yemen) YouAct - European Youth Network on Sexual and Reproductive Rights (United Kingdom)  Young Feminist Europe (Belgium)  Youth Association for Development (Pakistan)  Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (YCSRR) (Canada)  Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. For 50 years, Planned Parenthood Global has supported access to sexual and reproductive health care and advocated for reproductive rights around the world. In partnership with nearly 100 organizations across nine focus countries in Africa and Latin America, we advance the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved. Each year, our partners provide sexual and reproductive health information and services to nearly 2 million people. Our unique sustainability model sets us apart, as we empower partners to stand on their own. We help grassroots organizations develop solid reproductive health programs, identify other sources of funding, build their communications and advocacy skills, and develop strategic plans. Planned Parenthood Global is the international arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. For over 65 years, IPPF through its 118 Member Associations and 15 partners, has delivered high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare. and advocated for the advancement of sexual rights. Our Member Associations and partners are independent organizations that are locally owned, which means they can deliver care and advocate for sexual and reproductive rights, informed by local context and expertise, especially to the vulnerable and the under-served. We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information, they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity — no matter what.

Burundi midwife speaks to school students
news_item

| 22 June 2021

Global Coalition of over 200 groups call for permanent end to Global Gag Rule

A coalition of over 200 international civil society organizations, organized by Planned Parenthood Global and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, released a joint statement today calling for a permanent end to the U.S. global gag rule. The statement — released as part of a week of action to end the global gag rule — was released in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, demonstrating the diversity of just some of the communities harmed by the rule over the past 37 years.  In addition to the over 200 organizations from 88 countries across six continents that signed the statement today — and countless other people around the world — 70% of Americans favor ending the global gag rule. Dawn Laguens, interim executive director, Planned Parenthood Global: “Study after study has demonstrated that the neocolonialist global gag rule devastates health care access for people around the world, especially those who already face systemic barriers to care. And yet, since 1984, the global gag rule has come and gone with each party shift in the White House. President Biden took an important step by ending this harmful rule for now, but real relief will not be felt until we can permanently end this devastating policy. The global community deserves true partnership from the U.S., but the threat that this destructive policy could reemerge undermines relationships and harms people around the globe. We come together today to tell the U.S. government: It’s time to end the global gag rule once and for all.” Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General, International Planned Parenthood Federation:  "Since its inception, the global gag rule has been a constant threat to the lives of women and girls and their right to decide what happens to their bodies. Designed to deny people safe and legal abortion care, it has also caused unfathomable damage across the health care spectrum — from HIV prevention and treatment to maternal health care. Our member associations on the front lines of care have witnessed this damage first hand. Whilst we applaud President Biden on rescinding the global gag rule, history has shown us that it is ready to be weaponized by coercive, anti-abortion administrations. We urge the U.S. government to break the violent cycle of the global gag rule permanently, so organizations like IPPF can provide life-saving health care without the fear of our ability to deliver being snatched away from us with the stroke of a pen. Together we can work toward a world where no one is left behind when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health and rights."  The global gag rule prohibits non-governmental organizations in other countries from receiving any U.S. global health assistance if they provide, refer, counsel or advocate for legal abortion in their country — even if these activities are supported solely with non-U.S. funds. This cruel policy was originally imposed by the Reagan administration, before being rescinded in 1993 by President Clinton, and then reinstated in 2001 by President Bush on his first business day in office. President Obama rescinded the global gag rule in January 2009, but less than a decade later, President Trump reimposed and radically expanded the policy, extending its harm and devastation to even more women and communities. President Biden then rescinded the gag rule in a presidential memorandum signed on January 28, 2021.   Marginalized communities — including women and girls, young people, and LGBTQ+ people — have experienced the most devastating constraints on services as a result of the global gag rule. Tragically, this harm does not fully stop even when the policy is not in effect. According to the joint statement: “The prospect of reinstatement under future administrations casts a long shadow and leaves the health and lives of millions of people vulnerable to the whims of future U.S. presidents… Even when presidents lift the global gag rule immediately upon taking office, high-quality health partners face long delays in resuming participation in U.S. global health programs. Permanent repeal of the policy is urgently needed to promote sustainable progress in global health and to build and maintain long-term partnerships between the U.S. government, local organizations, and the communities that they serve… Urgent action is needed to finally end the global gag rule once and for all and advance health, human rights, and gender equality across the globe.” The full joint statement can be found here and the full list of signatories is below: ABUBEF (Burundi)  ACABEF (Central African Republic) Accountability International (South Africa)  Action Against Hunger (United Kingdom) Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights (Canada) Advocates for Youth (United States) Afrihealth Optonet Association (CSOs Network) (Nigeria) AIDOS - Italian Association for Women in Development (Italy) Al Hameed educational society (India) Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC) (Uganda) Amnesty International (Global) AMPF - Mauritanie (Mauritania) AMPPF (Mali) AnA - Society for Feminist Analyses (Romania) APROSUVI (Guatemala) Asia Catalyst (Thailand) Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (Thailand/ Asia Pacific) Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) (Malaysia) ASSOCIAÇÃO GUINEENSE PARA O BEM ESTAR FAMILIAR (AGUIBEF) (Guinea-Bissau) Associação Para o Planeamento da Família (Portugal) Association Algérienne pour la Planification Familiale (Algeria) Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille ABPF (Benin) Association Burkinabe pour le Bien Etre Familial (ABBEF) (Burkina Faso) Association Centrafricaine pour le Bien Etre Familial ( ACABEF) Central African Republic) Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien Etre Familial (AIBEF) (Ivory Coast) Association Malienne pour la protection et la Promotion de la Famille (Mali) Association Marocaine de Planification Familiale (Morocco) Association Mauritanienne pour la Promotion de la Famille (Mauritania) Association Nigérienne Pour le Bien Etre Familial (ANBEF) (Niger) Association Tchadienne pour le Bien Etre Familiale (Chad) ASSOCIATION TOGOLAISE POUR LE BIEN ETRE FAMILIAL (ATBEF) (Togo) Association Tunisienne de la Santé de la Reproduction (ATSR) (Tunisia) ASTRA Network (CEE region/ Poland) ATHENA Network (Namibia) Aube Nouvelle pour l Femme et le Développement (Democratic Republic of Congo) Austrian Family Planning Association (Austria) Bahrain Reproductive Health Association (Bahrain) Bandhu Social Welfare Society (Bangladesh) Barnabas Charity Outreach (Nigeria) Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) (Botswana) Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) (Bulgaria) Burnet Institute (Australia) CARE USA (USA) Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (Antigua & Barbuda) Catalysts for Change (United States) Catholics for Choice (United States) Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir - Brasil (Brazil) Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir - Colombia (Colombia) CEDES - Centro de Estudio de Estado y Sociedad (Argentina) Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (Uganda) Center for Reproductive Rights (USA/ Switzerland/ Global) Centro de Derechos de Mujeres (Honduras) Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos - PROMSEX (Peru) CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality (Netherlands) CLADEM (Latin America) Corporación MILES (Chile) Danish Family Planning Association (Denmark) Dr Uzo Adirieje Foundation (DUZAFOUND) (Nigeria) DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung) (Germany) Economic and Social Rights Centre - Hakijamii (Kenya) Egyptian family planning Association (EFPA) (Egypt)  ELA - Equipo Latinoamericano de Justicia y Género (Argentina) Equidad de Género, Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia (Mexico) Famia Planea Aruba (Aruba) Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) (Ethiopia) Family Health Association of Iran (Iran) Family Medical Point (Uganda) Family Planning Alliance Australia (Australia) Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad & Tobago) FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI (Malawi) Family Planning Association of Nepal (Nepal) Family Planning Association Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) Family Planning New Zealand (New Zealand) Family Planning NSW (Australia) Federación Planificación Familiar Estatal (Spain) Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (Malaysia) Feminist League (Kazakhstan) Feminist Task Force (United States) Fiji Women's Rights Movement (Fiji) FILIA Center (Romania) FLAMA Uganda (Uganda) FPA Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka)  Friends Affected & Infected Together in Hand (FAITH) (Nepal) Front Association / Feminism-Romania (Romania) Fundacion Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual (Mexico) FUNDACION CEMOPLAF (Ecuador) Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar, A. C. MEXFAM (Mexico) Fundacion para estudio e investigacion de la Mujer (Argentina)  Fundación Pro Salud Sabana Yegua FUNPROSSY (Dominican Republic) Futures Without Violence (United States) Gestos _HIV, Communication and Gender (Brazil) Girl Up Initiative Uganda (Uganda) Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (United States) GreeneWorks (United States) Grupo Multidisciplinario para la Defensa de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos en Guatemala (Guatemala)  Guttmacher Institute (United States)  Hábitat Mujer Salud (Colombia) Haiti Adolescent Girls Network (Haiti)  Health, Ethics and Law Institute of Forum for Medical Ethics Society (India)  Heartland Alliance International (United States) Hesperian Health Guides (United States) HIV Legal Network (Canada)  Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) (Uganda) INPPARES (Peru) International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law (IANGEL) (United States)  International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion (United Kingdom/ Global) International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) (USA)  International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (United Kingdom) International Planned Parenthood Federation East and South East Asia and Oceania Region (ESEAOR) (Malaysia) Ipas (United States) International Planned Parenthood Federation (Global) Irish Family Planning Association (Ireland) Israel Family Planning Association (Open Door) (Israel) Jamaica Family Planning Association (Jamaica) John Snow, Inc. (JSI) (United States) JOICFP (Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning) (Japan) Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network On HIV & AIDS (Kenya) Kenya Medical Association (Kenya) Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) (Kenya) Kyetume Community Based Health Care Programme (Uganda) L’ASSOCIATION DJIBOUTIENNE POUR L’EQUILIBRE ET LA PROMOTION DE LA FAMILLE (Dijibouti)  Latin American and Caribbean Womens Health Network (Latin America and the Caribbean)  Le Planning familial (France) LI PRIDE (Liberia) Lobi Health Center Foundation (Suriname) LUNA vzw (Belgium) Marie Stopes International (Global) MSI Reproductive Choices (United Kingdom)  Mujer Y Salud en Uruguay - MYSU (Uruguay) Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa (Kenya) Observatorio de la Gobernanza para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo A.C. (Mexico) OutRight Action International (United States)  Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) (Palestine) Pathfinder International (United States) Plan International (United Kingdom) Plan International USA (United States) Plan International, Inc (Global) Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (Ghana)  Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (Thailand)  Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (Zambia) Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (Nigeria) Planned Parenthood Global (Global) Profamilia (Colombia)  Queensway Institute of Technology and Business Studies (Kenya) Raks Thai Foundation (Thailand)  RAWSA MENA NETWORK (Tunisia - for the MENA region)  Red de Salud de las Mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe (Latin America and the Caribbean)  Red Latinoamericana y Caribeña de jóvenes por los Derechos Sexuales y Derechos Reproductivos  REDLAC (Mexico)   REDAAS - Red de Acceso al Aborto Seguro Argentina (Argentina)  Regional Centre for International Development Cooperation (RCIDC) (Uganda)  Reproductive Health Network Kenya (Kenya)  Reproductive Health Training Center/Regional SRHR Coalition for EECA (Moldova/ Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regions)  RFSU (Sweden)  RHAC (Cambodia)  Rutgers (Netherlands)  SANTE SEXUELLE SUISSE (Switzerland)  SCI Foundation (United Kingdom)  Sendas (Ecuador)  Sensoa (Belgium)  SERAC-Bangladesh (Bangladesh)  Sex og Politikk (IPPF Norway) (Norway)  SEXUL vs BARZA / SEX vs The STORK Association (Romania) SFBSP-BURUNDI (Burundi)  Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN) (Nigeria)  Solidarity Sisters Network of Liberia (SoSNoL) (Liberia, West Africa)  Solomon Island Planned Parenthood Association (Solomon Islands)  Somaliland Family Health Association (Somaliland)  Soroptimist International (United Kingdom)  Space Allies (Japan)  Stichting EqualA Foundation (Netherlands/ Thailand)  Stichting Ultimate Purpose (Suriname)  Stop AIDS in Liberia (SAIL) (Liberia)  SUDAN Family Planning Association (SFPA) (Sudan)  Sukaar Welfare Organization (Pakistan)  Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN) (Uganda)  Syrian Family Planning Association (Syria)  TAN UX´IL (Guatemala)  TDJ-BURUNDI (Burundi)  Teens Link Uganda (Uganda)  The African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) (Kenya)  The Lebanese Association for Family Health- SALAMA (Lebanon)  The Lesbian and Gay Association of Liberia (LEGAL) (Liberia)  The Society for Education on Contraception and Sexuality from Romania (Romania)  Together for Girls (United States)  Trust for Indigenous Culture and health (TICAH) (Kenya) Universal Access Project (United States)  Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (United States) Vidhayak Trust (India) WGNRR AFRICA (Tanzania)  William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (USA)  Women Deliver (USA)  Women Enabled International (USA)  Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) (Philippines)  Women's Link Worldwide (Global)  Women's Major Group (Global)  Women's Refugee Commission (USA)  Women’S Way Foundation Suriname (Suriname)  Woodhull Freedom Foundation (United States)  Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (Yemen) YouAct - European Youth Network on Sexual and Reproductive Rights (United Kingdom)  Young Feminist Europe (Belgium)  Youth Association for Development (Pakistan)  Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (YCSRR) (Canada)  Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. For 50 years, Planned Parenthood Global has supported access to sexual and reproductive health care and advocated for reproductive rights around the world. In partnership with nearly 100 organizations across nine focus countries in Africa and Latin America, we advance the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved. Each year, our partners provide sexual and reproductive health information and services to nearly 2 million people. Our unique sustainability model sets us apart, as we empower partners to stand on their own. We help grassroots organizations develop solid reproductive health programs, identify other sources of funding, build their communications and advocacy skills, and develop strategic plans. Planned Parenthood Global is the international arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. For over 65 years, IPPF through its 118 Member Associations and 15 partners, has delivered high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare. and advocated for the advancement of sexual rights. Our Member Associations and partners are independent organizations that are locally owned, which means they can deliver care and advocate for sexual and reproductive rights, informed by local context and expertise, especially to the vulnerable and the under-served. We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information, they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity — no matter what.

woman receiving an implant
news item

| 17 June 2021

IPPF welcomes funding support from Australia for Asia Pacific COVID-19 SRHR Initiative

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is delighted to announce a new collaboration with MSI Reproductive Choices for the Asia Pacific. Funded by the Australian Government, the two organizations will deliver a two-year program, Responding with Essential SRHR Provision and New Delivery Mechanisms (RESPOND). The AU $33.4 million initiative, commencing July 2021 and running to the middle of 2023, will support IPPF Member Associations and MSI Country Programs to respond to the additional sexual and reproductive health needs of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 22 countries. IPPF’s Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, welcomed the news: “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating in many countries across the Asia-Pacific, especially on the lives of women and girls, who have been disproportionately affected by the uneven burden of caring responsibilities, increases in gender-based violence, and reduced access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.   “If the world is to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic and achieve greater gender equality, high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare must form an essential part of any effort. It is fantastic to work with a long-standing partner like DFAT that recognises this.  “We are immensely grateful for the Australian government’s unwavering support so that IPPF, alongside our partners at MSI Reproductive Choices,  can continue providing life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare both during the pandemic and beyond.” Simon Cooke, CEO at MSI Reproductive Choices, said:  “Giving women and girls the power to make reproductive choices is one of the smartest global investments, costing less than 2 pence per day to protect a young woman from an unintended pregnancy, giving her the chance to stay in school, forge a career, or even save her life. “However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of women and girls around the world have had access to sexual and reproductive health and rights stripped as these essential services have been deprioritised. When women are faced with crises, the need for reproductive choice has been shown to rise, at the very time that access falls. “We are delighted to be working in partnership with DFAT and IPPF to protect access to life changing and life-saving services when they are needed most and are grateful to the Australian government for their leadership in prioritising this within their Covid-19 response.”  

woman receiving an implant
news_item

| 17 June 2021

IPPF welcomes funding support from Australia for Asia Pacific COVID-19 SRHR Initiative

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is delighted to announce a new collaboration with MSI Reproductive Choices for the Asia Pacific. Funded by the Australian Government, the two organizations will deliver a two-year program, Responding with Essential SRHR Provision and New Delivery Mechanisms (RESPOND). The AU $33.4 million initiative, commencing July 2021 and running to the middle of 2023, will support IPPF Member Associations and MSI Country Programs to respond to the additional sexual and reproductive health needs of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 22 countries. IPPF’s Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, welcomed the news: “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating in many countries across the Asia-Pacific, especially on the lives of women and girls, who have been disproportionately affected by the uneven burden of caring responsibilities, increases in gender-based violence, and reduced access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.   “If the world is to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic and achieve greater gender equality, high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare must form an essential part of any effort. It is fantastic to work with a long-standing partner like DFAT that recognises this.  “We are immensely grateful for the Australian government’s unwavering support so that IPPF, alongside our partners at MSI Reproductive Choices,  can continue providing life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare both during the pandemic and beyond.” Simon Cooke, CEO at MSI Reproductive Choices, said:  “Giving women and girls the power to make reproductive choices is one of the smartest global investments, costing less than 2 pence per day to protect a young woman from an unintended pregnancy, giving her the chance to stay in school, forge a career, or even save her life. “However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of women and girls around the world have had access to sexual and reproductive health and rights stripped as these essential services have been deprioritised. When women are faced with crises, the need for reproductive choice has been shown to rise, at the very time that access falls. “We are delighted to be working in partnership with DFAT and IPPF to protect access to life changing and life-saving services when they are needed most and are grateful to the Australian government for their leadership in prioritising this within their Covid-19 response.”  

A group of teenage girls in Palestine
news item

| 11 June 2021

IPPF hosts G7 SRHR Ministerial Roundtable

IPPF hosted a G7 Ministerial Roundtable entitled Empower Women and Girls, Empower Humanity: Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). The roundtable facilitated a meaningful dialogue on the importance of keeping SRHR commitments that G7 countries have made to the women and girls left behind, ensuring that SRHR and bodily autonomy are central to reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The roundtable was sponsored by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office United Kingdom (FCDO) and Global Affairs Canada, with participants from UK, Germany, USA, France, Japan, Canada, Australia, India, and South Africa. Karina Gould, Minister of International Development for the Government of Canada said: “It is more important than ever to ensure that women and girls have control over their bodies, and do not face additional vulnerabilities, discrimination and violation of their rights. We need to see an integrated effort to better enable our health systems to respond to the pandemic while continuing to address the needs of women and their families.”  Keiichi Ono, Assistant Minister and Director-General for Global Issues for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: “COVID-19 has exacerbated the plight of vulnerable people. Reaching the most vulnerable people first is key to realizing universal health coverage and to ensuring an effective gendered response to COVID-19 that includes Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.”    IPPF would like to thank those who contributed to the invigorating and inspirational event, and we look forward to continuing our collective push in ensuring bodily autonomy and SRHR remain central to UHC and the SDGs.

A group of teenage girls in Palestine
news_item

| 11 June 2021

IPPF hosts G7 SRHR Ministerial Roundtable

IPPF hosted a G7 Ministerial Roundtable entitled Empower Women and Girls, Empower Humanity: Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). The roundtable facilitated a meaningful dialogue on the importance of keeping SRHR commitments that G7 countries have made to the women and girls left behind, ensuring that SRHR and bodily autonomy are central to reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The roundtable was sponsored by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office United Kingdom (FCDO) and Global Affairs Canada, with participants from UK, Germany, USA, France, Japan, Canada, Australia, India, and South Africa. Karina Gould, Minister of International Development for the Government of Canada said: “It is more important than ever to ensure that women and girls have control over their bodies, and do not face additional vulnerabilities, discrimination and violation of their rights. We need to see an integrated effort to better enable our health systems to respond to the pandemic while continuing to address the needs of women and their families.”  Keiichi Ono, Assistant Minister and Director-General for Global Issues for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: “COVID-19 has exacerbated the plight of vulnerable people. Reaching the most vulnerable people first is key to realizing universal health coverage and to ensuring an effective gendered response to COVID-19 that includes Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.”    IPPF would like to thank those who contributed to the invigorating and inspirational event, and we look forward to continuing our collective push in ensuring bodily autonomy and SRHR remain central to UHC and the SDGs.

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| 04 June 2021

Clarification on ‘IPPFWHR’, IWHC & CHANGE merger

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) would like to clarify the confusion regarding the ‘IPPFWHR’, International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), and CHANGE merger. IPPF is not merging with the IWHC and CHANGE. The former regional office based in the Western Hemisphere Region withdrew from IPPF in August 2020 and is no longer associated with IPPF. You can read the full statement on their departure here. IPPF through its Americas and the Caribbean regional office will continue to support the members in the region to deliver quality sexual and reproductive healthcare to millions of women, girls, and gender diverse people from all walks of life, and to ensure sexual and reproductive rights for all - no matter what.   La Federación Internacional de Planificación Familiar (IPPF) quiere clarificar la confusión sobre la fusión entre “IPPFWRH”, la IWHC y CHANGE. IPPF no se está fusionando con la International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) y CHANGE. La anterior oficina de la Región del Hemisferio Occidental se separó de IPPF el mes de agosto de 2020 y no tiene ninguna asociación con IPPF. Se ouede consultar el comunicado sobre su separación aquí. IPPF a través de su actual oficina regional para Las Américas y El Caribe continuará apoyando a las asociadas miembro para garantizar que se proveen servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva de calidad a millones de mujeres, adolescentes y personas no binarias en todas sus diversidades y garantizar sus derechos sexuales y sus derechos reproductivos.    

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news_item

| 04 June 2021

Clarification on ‘IPPFWHR’, IWHC & CHANGE merger

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) would like to clarify the confusion regarding the ‘IPPFWHR’, International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), and CHANGE merger. IPPF is not merging with the IWHC and CHANGE. The former regional office based in the Western Hemisphere Region withdrew from IPPF in August 2020 and is no longer associated with IPPF. You can read the full statement on their departure here. IPPF through its Americas and the Caribbean regional office will continue to support the members in the region to deliver quality sexual and reproductive healthcare to millions of women, girls, and gender diverse people from all walks of life, and to ensure sexual and reproductive rights for all - no matter what.   La Federación Internacional de Planificación Familiar (IPPF) quiere clarificar la confusión sobre la fusión entre “IPPFWRH”, la IWHC y CHANGE. IPPF no se está fusionando con la International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) y CHANGE. La anterior oficina de la Región del Hemisferio Occidental se separó de IPPF el mes de agosto de 2020 y no tiene ninguna asociación con IPPF. Se ouede consultar el comunicado sobre su separación aquí. IPPF a través de su actual oficina regional para Las Américas y El Caribe continuará apoyando a las asociadas miembro para garantizar que se proveen servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva de calidad a millones de mujeres, adolescentes y personas no binarias en todas sus diversidades y garantizar sus derechos sexuales y sus derechos reproductivos.    

a group of women and girls in Nepal
news item

| 02 June 2021

Aid cuts could lead to more than two million unintended pregnancies before the end of the year in continued blow for women and girls

New data from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has revealed that unless alternative funding is sourced, the UK government's £131 million ($186 million) cut to UNFPA Supplies – the largest provider of donated contraception for some of the world's poorest communities - will lead to an estimated additional: 2.4 million unintended pregnancies  685,000 unsafe abortions and 7,447 maternal deaths across IPPF's services alone before the end of 2021.[i] IPPF uses donations of contraception from UNFPA Supplies, including the pill, injectables, implants, IUDs, and condoms, to deliver much-needed sexual and reproductive healthcare across 45[ii] countries via its Member Associations (M.A.s).  For 2021, IPPF has received just $1.5 million worth of contraception out of the $14 million requested for the year. It is growing increasingly concerned that the remaining $12.5 million worth of contraception will no longer be available, meaning Member Associations will be dangerously close to running out of stock by the end of 2021, with shortages becoming increasingly acute for 2022 unless replacement funding can be found. The $14 million equates to 40% of IPPF's overall budget of $35 million for contraceptive supplies across the entire Federation.  Some IPPF Member Associations have reported that they are 100% reliant[iii] on the millions of dollars worth of contraception they receive from UNFPA Supplies, including M.A.s in Nepal, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Yemen, and South Sudan. For others, donations from UNFPA form a significant part of their budgets, such as M.A.s in Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Malawi, Nigeria, and Sudan. Furthermore, with the gap between procurement of contraception and supply often taking six months or more, and with UNFPA Supplies also the primary provider for Ministries of Health in the countries that IPPF and UNFPA work with, other avenues for Member Associations to receive contraception and commodities are also severely restricted.  The crushing figures come on top of already devastating news for IPPF, the world's largest sexual and reproductive healthcare organization, which saw cuts of around £72 million, approximately $100 million at the end of April.  These cuts include the dismantling of the U.K.'s hugely successful WISH (Women's Integrated Sexual Health) programme just three years into its creation, as well as the closure of IPPF's ACCESS (Approaches in Complex and Challenging Environments For Sustainable Sexual and Reproductive Health) programme.   Both initiatives help deliver life-saving contraception and sexual and reproductive healthcare for some of the most marginalized women and girls, including those living in poverty, refugees, those living with HIV, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. In some of the 45 countries, IPPF works with UNFPA Supplies alongside the WISH and ACCESS programmes. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF’s Director-General, said: "Millions of women[iv] in the world's poorest countries want to access contraception but can't, and this number will only increase following the U.K government's decision to axe hundreds of millions of promised pounds from the expert organizations that provide sexual and reproductive healthcare worldwide.   "Not only are the government dismantling well-established healthcare clinics and teams, but they are also stripping the remaining ones of valuable resources with little to no notice. Soon, healthcare teams will be left with nothing to give the women and girls who come to clinics for contraception, inevitably leading to millions of unintended pregnancies, thousands of unsafe abortions, and thousands of maternal deaths.  "While the government has presented these cuts as inevitable, no other country has slashed international aid in this way, and it will take years to rebuild programmes and regain the trust of devastated communities.  "What the government fails to recognize is that cuts to a body like UNFPA Supplies have a devastating ripple effect through the entire global healthcare ecosystem, weakening it in the process.  This naive and short-sighted decision will have long-lasting consequences, with the lives of thousands of women and girls lost in the process." Manuelle Hurwitz, Director of Programmes, added: "Not only are these cuts a disgrace, but they completely contradict the U.K government's 'priorities' of gender equality and getting 40 million more girls into education by 2025. Because how can a girl stay in school if she is pregnant before she is 16? "It is especially galling that this comes at the time when the U.K government, as leaders of the G7 summit, will urge nations to "build back better" after the coronavirus pandemic while choosing to abandon the poorest women and girls in the world's darkest hour." In the wake of the continued blows for women and girls worldwide, IPPF is asking the government to urgently recommit to setting aside 0.7% of the U.K.'s national income for international aid, as per its legal commitments. Programme delivery on hold  Since its launch in 2008, UNFPA supplies, alongside IPPF and other partners, has helped prevent: 89 million unintended pregnancies 26.8 million unsafe abortions  227,000 maternal deaths[v]  But the unexpected level of cuts in the middle of the financial year now means services and deliveries are on hold while partners grapple with the overwhelming task of securing funds for contraception and medical supplies.  Dr Naresh Pratap is the Executive Director for the Family Planning Association Nepal (FPAN), one of IPPF's Member Associations. FPAN is heavily reliant on UNFPA Supplies, with 100% of its average annual commodities budget of $700,000[viii] supported by UNFPA donations. Nepal has also been affected by the ACCESS programme's immediate closure and is subject to ongoing humanitarian crises due to its geographic remoteness, natural hazards, limited healthcare capacity and one-quarter of the nation living in extreme poverty. He said: "At the time when Nepal has already been affected by Trump's Gag Rule and gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the funding cuts to UNFPA supplies will mean that millions of people on the ground will struggle to access contraception. As an organization that depends heavily on UNFPA supplies and has been hard-hit by the recent closure of the ACCESS programme, the U.K. government's funding cut has further exacerbated FPAN's capacity to serve underprivileged people in urgent need of sexual and reproductive healthcare services – it  is unacceptable and beyond humanity." Investing in women means investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare With 120 million people about to be pushed back into extreme poverty due to the global pandemic, and women and girls already suffering the pandemic's effects disproportionately compared to men, the cuts have come at one of the most challenging times for nations around the world.   If countries are to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic, investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare is one of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty. As the U.K. heads into the G7 summit, leadership, commitment and intelligent forward-thinking is needed now, more than ever.  "These cuts will be devastating for women and girls and their families across the world," said UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem in a statement about the cuts.  "UNFPA recognizes the challenging situation facing many donor governments, yet deeply regrets the decision of our longstanding partner and advocate to step away from its commitments at a time when inequalities are deepening, and international solidarity is needed more than ever. "The truth is that when funding stops, women and girls suffer, especially the poor, those living in remote, underserved communities and those living through humanitarian crises. The needs of women and girls and their right to modern contraceptives have not changed, and UNFPA remains resolute and dedicated to our mandate." -Ends-   [i] Internal data from IPPF calculated using the pending $12.5 million pending request from UNFPA supplies. [ii] The 45 countries include: Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina-Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cambodia, CAR, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan,  Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigera, Pacific Island Countries (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen,Zambia and Zimbabwe. [iii] MA’s 100% reliant on donations from UNFPA include Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Conakry, Nepal, Samoa, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Yemen. [iv] 217 million women who want to avoid pregnancy have an unmet need for contraception. [v] Internal data from IPPF calculated using 2020 actual donation and 2021 requested value

a group of women and girls in Nepal
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| 03 June 2021

Aid cuts could lead to more than two million unintended pregnancies before the end of the year in continued blow for women and girls

New data from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has revealed that unless alternative funding is sourced, the UK government's £131 million ($186 million) cut to UNFPA Supplies – the largest provider of donated contraception for some of the world's poorest communities - will lead to an estimated additional: 2.4 million unintended pregnancies  685,000 unsafe abortions and 7,447 maternal deaths across IPPF's services alone before the end of 2021.[i] IPPF uses donations of contraception from UNFPA Supplies, including the pill, injectables, implants, IUDs, and condoms, to deliver much-needed sexual and reproductive healthcare across 45[ii] countries via its Member Associations (M.A.s).  For 2021, IPPF has received just $1.5 million worth of contraception out of the $14 million requested for the year. It is growing increasingly concerned that the remaining $12.5 million worth of contraception will no longer be available, meaning Member Associations will be dangerously close to running out of stock by the end of 2021, with shortages becoming increasingly acute for 2022 unless replacement funding can be found. The $14 million equates to 40% of IPPF's overall budget of $35 million for contraceptive supplies across the entire Federation.  Some IPPF Member Associations have reported that they are 100% reliant[iii] on the millions of dollars worth of contraception they receive from UNFPA Supplies, including M.A.s in Nepal, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Yemen, and South Sudan. For others, donations from UNFPA form a significant part of their budgets, such as M.A.s in Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Malawi, Nigeria, and Sudan. Furthermore, with the gap between procurement of contraception and supply often taking six months or more, and with UNFPA Supplies also the primary provider for Ministries of Health in the countries that IPPF and UNFPA work with, other avenues for Member Associations to receive contraception and commodities are also severely restricted.  The crushing figures come on top of already devastating news for IPPF, the world's largest sexual and reproductive healthcare organization, which saw cuts of around £72 million, approximately $100 million at the end of April.  These cuts include the dismantling of the U.K.'s hugely successful WISH (Women's Integrated Sexual Health) programme just three years into its creation, as well as the closure of IPPF's ACCESS (Approaches in Complex and Challenging Environments For Sustainable Sexual and Reproductive Health) programme.   Both initiatives help deliver life-saving contraception and sexual and reproductive healthcare for some of the most marginalized women and girls, including those living in poverty, refugees, those living with HIV, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. In some of the 45 countries, IPPF works with UNFPA Supplies alongside the WISH and ACCESS programmes. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF’s Director-General, said: "Millions of women[iv] in the world's poorest countries want to access contraception but can't, and this number will only increase following the U.K government's decision to axe hundreds of millions of promised pounds from the expert organizations that provide sexual and reproductive healthcare worldwide.   "Not only are the government dismantling well-established healthcare clinics and teams, but they are also stripping the remaining ones of valuable resources with little to no notice. Soon, healthcare teams will be left with nothing to give the women and girls who come to clinics for contraception, inevitably leading to millions of unintended pregnancies, thousands of unsafe abortions, and thousands of maternal deaths.  "While the government has presented these cuts as inevitable, no other country has slashed international aid in this way, and it will take years to rebuild programmes and regain the trust of devastated communities.  "What the government fails to recognize is that cuts to a body like UNFPA Supplies have a devastating ripple effect through the entire global healthcare ecosystem, weakening it in the process.  This naive and short-sighted decision will have long-lasting consequences, with the lives of thousands of women and girls lost in the process." Manuelle Hurwitz, Director of Programmes, added: "Not only are these cuts a disgrace, but they completely contradict the U.K government's 'priorities' of gender equality and getting 40 million more girls into education by 2025. Because how can a girl stay in school if she is pregnant before she is 16? "It is especially galling that this comes at the time when the U.K government, as leaders of the G7 summit, will urge nations to "build back better" after the coronavirus pandemic while choosing to abandon the poorest women and girls in the world's darkest hour." In the wake of the continued blows for women and girls worldwide, IPPF is asking the government to urgently recommit to setting aside 0.7% of the U.K.'s national income for international aid, as per its legal commitments. Programme delivery on hold  Since its launch in 2008, UNFPA supplies, alongside IPPF and other partners, has helped prevent: 89 million unintended pregnancies 26.8 million unsafe abortions  227,000 maternal deaths[v]  But the unexpected level of cuts in the middle of the financial year now means services and deliveries are on hold while partners grapple with the overwhelming task of securing funds for contraception and medical supplies.  Dr Naresh Pratap is the Executive Director for the Family Planning Association Nepal (FPAN), one of IPPF's Member Associations. FPAN is heavily reliant on UNFPA Supplies, with 100% of its average annual commodities budget of $700,000[viii] supported by UNFPA donations. Nepal has also been affected by the ACCESS programme's immediate closure and is subject to ongoing humanitarian crises due to its geographic remoteness, natural hazards, limited healthcare capacity and one-quarter of the nation living in extreme poverty. He said: "At the time when Nepal has already been affected by Trump's Gag Rule and gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the funding cuts to UNFPA supplies will mean that millions of people on the ground will struggle to access contraception. As an organization that depends heavily on UNFPA supplies and has been hard-hit by the recent closure of the ACCESS programme, the U.K. government's funding cut has further exacerbated FPAN's capacity to serve underprivileged people in urgent need of sexual and reproductive healthcare services – it  is unacceptable and beyond humanity." Investing in women means investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare With 120 million people about to be pushed back into extreme poverty due to the global pandemic, and women and girls already suffering the pandemic's effects disproportionately compared to men, the cuts have come at one of the most challenging times for nations around the world.   If countries are to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic, investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare is one of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty. As the U.K. heads into the G7 summit, leadership, commitment and intelligent forward-thinking is needed now, more than ever.  "These cuts will be devastating for women and girls and their families across the world," said UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem in a statement about the cuts.  "UNFPA recognizes the challenging situation facing many donor governments, yet deeply regrets the decision of our longstanding partner and advocate to step away from its commitments at a time when inequalities are deepening, and international solidarity is needed more than ever. "The truth is that when funding stops, women and girls suffer, especially the poor, those living in remote, underserved communities and those living through humanitarian crises. The needs of women and girls and their right to modern contraceptives have not changed, and UNFPA remains resolute and dedicated to our mandate." -Ends-   [i] Internal data from IPPF calculated using the pending $12.5 million pending request from UNFPA supplies. [ii] The 45 countries include: Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina-Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cambodia, CAR, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan,  Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigera, Pacific Island Countries (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen,Zambia and Zimbabwe. [iii] MA’s 100% reliant on donations from UNFPA include Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Conakry, Nepal, Samoa, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Yemen. [iv] 217 million women who want to avoid pregnancy have an unmet need for contraception. [v] Internal data from IPPF calculated using 2020 actual donation and 2021 requested value

Graphic which reads "Generation Equality Forum, Paris, 30 June-2 July 2021"
news item

| 30 June 2021

IPPF at the Generation Equality Forum

What is the Generation Equality Forum? The Generation Equality Forum (GEF) is a civil society–centered, global gathering for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France. The Forum kicked off in Mexico City, Mexico, on 29–31 March 2021, and will culminate in Paris, France, on 30 June – 2 July 2021. This Forum aims to promote the full implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in the framework of the commemoration of its 25th anniversary, which was unanimously adopted by 189 countries around the world.  Why is it important? The GEF presents a great opportunity for different multi-stakeholders to reignite the Beijing agenda and to embrace this global movement, bring the change needed and make concrete and strategic commitments to build back better and to ensure that gender equality is an aspiration for the present generation and a reality for future generations to come. The Generation Equality Action Coalitions are innovative and multi-stakeholder partnerships focused on the most intractable barriers to equality. Their aim is to deliver concrete and transformative change for women and girls around the world in the coming five years that, if implemented and fully funded, can lead to lasting and transformative change and help to ensure that women, girls, and gender diverse people everywhere can fully enjoy their human rights. They will focus on six themes that are critical for achieving gender equality: gender-based violence, economic justice and rights, bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights, feminist action for climate justice, technology and innovation for gender equality, and feminist movements and leadership. What role does IPPF have at GEF? IPPF is co-leader in the Bodily Autonomy & Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights Action (SRHR) Coalition, where IPPF contributed to four fundamental actions:  1) Expand access to CSE in and out of school;  2) Increase qualitative access to contraception;  3) Empower all people, including adolescents and women, in all their diversity to make autonomous choices about their bodies, sexuality and reproduction; 4) Strengthen girls, women's and feminist organizations and networks to promote and protect bodily autonomy and SRHR.  IPPF's commitments Although important steps were taken, and some progress achieved, the Beijing Platform for Action is far from being implemented. Many obstacles like absence of political will, lack of financial commitment, rigid, restrictive and patriarchal gender social norms and backlash to women's and girls' rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular their participation in social, economic and political life, the right to their bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive rights, discrimination and sexual and gender-based violence have been the reality in every corner of the world. But the paradigm is changing, and different social movements have revitalized the discussions and women and girls are very much in the agenda of governments, civil society organizations, private sector and academia. In Paris, IPPF will commit to accelerate access to safe abortion care centered in three principles- right base, reproductive justice and gender transformative, and to influence change in laws and ensures that abortion is decriminalized and barriers, including to self-managed abortion, are removed. And to collaborate and build a strong, united voice to promote finance comprehensive sexuality education in and out of school, via evidence-based modalities. With our Member Associations at the center, IPPF will present a progressive and aspirational proposal aligned with its organizational vision and that will face great challenges; however, it is well worth it; advancing gender equality with full respect and recognition of all sexual and reproductive rights of girls, adolescents and women is IPPF's ultimate goal. 

Graphic which reads "Generation Equality Forum, Paris, 30 June-2 July 2021"
news_item

| 30 June 2021

IPPF at the Generation Equality Forum

What is the Generation Equality Forum? The Generation Equality Forum (GEF) is a civil society–centered, global gathering for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France. The Forum kicked off in Mexico City, Mexico, on 29–31 March 2021, and will culminate in Paris, France, on 30 June – 2 July 2021. This Forum aims to promote the full implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in the framework of the commemoration of its 25th anniversary, which was unanimously adopted by 189 countries around the world.  Why is it important? The GEF presents a great opportunity for different multi-stakeholders to reignite the Beijing agenda and to embrace this global movement, bring the change needed and make concrete and strategic commitments to build back better and to ensure that gender equality is an aspiration for the present generation and a reality for future generations to come. The Generation Equality Action Coalitions are innovative and multi-stakeholder partnerships focused on the most intractable barriers to equality. Their aim is to deliver concrete and transformative change for women and girls around the world in the coming five years that, if implemented and fully funded, can lead to lasting and transformative change and help to ensure that women, girls, and gender diverse people everywhere can fully enjoy their human rights. They will focus on six themes that are critical for achieving gender equality: gender-based violence, economic justice and rights, bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights, feminist action for climate justice, technology and innovation for gender equality, and feminist movements and leadership. What role does IPPF have at GEF? IPPF is co-leader in the Bodily Autonomy & Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights Action (SRHR) Coalition, where IPPF contributed to four fundamental actions:  1) Expand access to CSE in and out of school;  2) Increase qualitative access to contraception;  3) Empower all people, including adolescents and women, in all their diversity to make autonomous choices about their bodies, sexuality and reproduction; 4) Strengthen girls, women's and feminist organizations and networks to promote and protect bodily autonomy and SRHR.  IPPF's commitments Although important steps were taken, and some progress achieved, the Beijing Platform for Action is far from being implemented. Many obstacles like absence of political will, lack of financial commitment, rigid, restrictive and patriarchal gender social norms and backlash to women's and girls' rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular their participation in social, economic and political life, the right to their bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive rights, discrimination and sexual and gender-based violence have been the reality in every corner of the world. But the paradigm is changing, and different social movements have revitalized the discussions and women and girls are very much in the agenda of governments, civil society organizations, private sector and academia. In Paris, IPPF will commit to accelerate access to safe abortion care centered in three principles- right base, reproductive justice and gender transformative, and to influence change in laws and ensures that abortion is decriminalized and barriers, including to self-managed abortion, are removed. And to collaborate and build a strong, united voice to promote finance comprehensive sexuality education in and out of school, via evidence-based modalities. With our Member Associations at the center, IPPF will present a progressive and aspirational proposal aligned with its organizational vision and that will face great challenges; however, it is well worth it; advancing gender equality with full respect and recognition of all sexual and reproductive rights of girls, adolescents and women is IPPF's ultimate goal. 

Burundi midwife speaks to school students
news item

| 22 June 2021

Global Coalition of over 200 groups call for permanent end to Global Gag Rule

A coalition of over 200 international civil society organizations, organized by Planned Parenthood Global and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, released a joint statement today calling for a permanent end to the U.S. global gag rule. The statement — released as part of a week of action to end the global gag rule — was released in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, demonstrating the diversity of just some of the communities harmed by the rule over the past 37 years.  In addition to the over 200 organizations from 88 countries across six continents that signed the statement today — and countless other people around the world — 70% of Americans favor ending the global gag rule. Dawn Laguens, interim executive director, Planned Parenthood Global: “Study after study has demonstrated that the neocolonialist global gag rule devastates health care access for people around the world, especially those who already face systemic barriers to care. And yet, since 1984, the global gag rule has come and gone with each party shift in the White House. President Biden took an important step by ending this harmful rule for now, but real relief will not be felt until we can permanently end this devastating policy. The global community deserves true partnership from the U.S., but the threat that this destructive policy could reemerge undermines relationships and harms people around the globe. We come together today to tell the U.S. government: It’s time to end the global gag rule once and for all.” Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General, International Planned Parenthood Federation:  "Since its inception, the global gag rule has been a constant threat to the lives of women and girls and their right to decide what happens to their bodies. Designed to deny people safe and legal abortion care, it has also caused unfathomable damage across the health care spectrum — from HIV prevention and treatment to maternal health care. Our member associations on the front lines of care have witnessed this damage first hand. Whilst we applaud President Biden on rescinding the global gag rule, history has shown us that it is ready to be weaponized by coercive, anti-abortion administrations. We urge the U.S. government to break the violent cycle of the global gag rule permanently, so organizations like IPPF can provide life-saving health care without the fear of our ability to deliver being snatched away from us with the stroke of a pen. Together we can work toward a world where no one is left behind when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health and rights."  The global gag rule prohibits non-governmental organizations in other countries from receiving any U.S. global health assistance if they provide, refer, counsel or advocate for legal abortion in their country — even if these activities are supported solely with non-U.S. funds. This cruel policy was originally imposed by the Reagan administration, before being rescinded in 1993 by President Clinton, and then reinstated in 2001 by President Bush on his first business day in office. President Obama rescinded the global gag rule in January 2009, but less than a decade later, President Trump reimposed and radically expanded the policy, extending its harm and devastation to even more women and communities. President Biden then rescinded the gag rule in a presidential memorandum signed on January 28, 2021.   Marginalized communities — including women and girls, young people, and LGBTQ+ people — have experienced the most devastating constraints on services as a result of the global gag rule. Tragically, this harm does not fully stop even when the policy is not in effect. According to the joint statement: “The prospect of reinstatement under future administrations casts a long shadow and leaves the health and lives of millions of people vulnerable to the whims of future U.S. presidents… Even when presidents lift the global gag rule immediately upon taking office, high-quality health partners face long delays in resuming participation in U.S. global health programs. Permanent repeal of the policy is urgently needed to promote sustainable progress in global health and to build and maintain long-term partnerships between the U.S. government, local organizations, and the communities that they serve… Urgent action is needed to finally end the global gag rule once and for all and advance health, human rights, and gender equality across the globe.” The full joint statement can be found here and the full list of signatories is below: ABUBEF (Burundi)  ACABEF (Central African Republic) Accountability International (South Africa)  Action Against Hunger (United Kingdom) Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights (Canada) Advocates for Youth (United States) Afrihealth Optonet Association (CSOs Network) (Nigeria) AIDOS - Italian Association for Women in Development (Italy) Al Hameed educational society (India) Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC) (Uganda) Amnesty International (Global) AMPF - Mauritanie (Mauritania) AMPPF (Mali) AnA - Society for Feminist Analyses (Romania) APROSUVI (Guatemala) Asia Catalyst (Thailand) Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (Thailand/ Asia Pacific) Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) (Malaysia) ASSOCIAÇÃO GUINEENSE PARA O BEM ESTAR FAMILIAR (AGUIBEF) (Guinea-Bissau) Associação Para o Planeamento da Família (Portugal) Association Algérienne pour la Planification Familiale (Algeria) Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille ABPF (Benin) Association Burkinabe pour le Bien Etre Familial (ABBEF) (Burkina Faso) Association Centrafricaine pour le Bien Etre Familial ( ACABEF) Central African Republic) Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien Etre Familial (AIBEF) (Ivory Coast) Association Malienne pour la protection et la Promotion de la Famille (Mali) Association Marocaine de Planification Familiale (Morocco) Association Mauritanienne pour la Promotion de la Famille (Mauritania) Association Nigérienne Pour le Bien Etre Familial (ANBEF) (Niger) Association Tchadienne pour le Bien Etre Familiale (Chad) ASSOCIATION TOGOLAISE POUR LE BIEN ETRE FAMILIAL (ATBEF) (Togo) Association Tunisienne de la Santé de la Reproduction (ATSR) (Tunisia) ASTRA Network (CEE region/ Poland) ATHENA Network (Namibia) Aube Nouvelle pour l Femme et le Développement (Democratic Republic of Congo) Austrian Family Planning Association (Austria) Bahrain Reproductive Health Association (Bahrain) Bandhu Social Welfare Society (Bangladesh) Barnabas Charity Outreach (Nigeria) Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) (Botswana) Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) (Bulgaria) Burnet Institute (Australia) CARE USA (USA) Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (Antigua & Barbuda) Catalysts for Change (United States) Catholics for Choice (United States) Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir - Brasil (Brazil) Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir - Colombia (Colombia) CEDES - Centro de Estudio de Estado y Sociedad (Argentina) Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (Uganda) Center for Reproductive Rights (USA/ Switzerland/ Global) Centro de Derechos de Mujeres (Honduras) Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos - PROMSEX (Peru) CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality (Netherlands) CLADEM (Latin America) Corporación MILES (Chile) Danish Family Planning Association (Denmark) Dr Uzo Adirieje Foundation (DUZAFOUND) (Nigeria) DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung) (Germany) Economic and Social Rights Centre - Hakijamii (Kenya) Egyptian family planning Association (EFPA) (Egypt)  ELA - Equipo Latinoamericano de Justicia y Género (Argentina) Equidad de Género, Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia (Mexico) Famia Planea Aruba (Aruba) Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) (Ethiopia) Family Health Association of Iran (Iran) Family Medical Point (Uganda) Family Planning Alliance Australia (Australia) Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad & Tobago) FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI (Malawi) Family Planning Association of Nepal (Nepal) Family Planning Association Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) Family Planning New Zealand (New Zealand) Family Planning NSW (Australia) Federación Planificación Familiar Estatal (Spain) Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (Malaysia) Feminist League (Kazakhstan) Feminist Task Force (United States) Fiji Women's Rights Movement (Fiji) FILIA Center (Romania) FLAMA Uganda (Uganda) FPA Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka)  Friends Affected & Infected Together in Hand (FAITH) (Nepal) Front Association / Feminism-Romania (Romania) Fundacion Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual (Mexico) FUNDACION CEMOPLAF (Ecuador) Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar, A. C. MEXFAM (Mexico) Fundacion para estudio e investigacion de la Mujer (Argentina)  Fundación Pro Salud Sabana Yegua FUNPROSSY (Dominican Republic) Futures Without Violence (United States) Gestos _HIV, Communication and Gender (Brazil) Girl Up Initiative Uganda (Uganda) Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (United States) GreeneWorks (United States) Grupo Multidisciplinario para la Defensa de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos en Guatemala (Guatemala)  Guttmacher Institute (United States)  Hábitat Mujer Salud (Colombia) Haiti Adolescent Girls Network (Haiti)  Health, Ethics and Law Institute of Forum for Medical Ethics Society (India)  Heartland Alliance International (United States) Hesperian Health Guides (United States) HIV Legal Network (Canada)  Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) (Uganda) INPPARES (Peru) International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law (IANGEL) (United States)  International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion (United Kingdom/ Global) International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) (USA)  International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (United Kingdom) International Planned Parenthood Federation East and South East Asia and Oceania Region (ESEAOR) (Malaysia) Ipas (United States) International Planned Parenthood Federation (Global) Irish Family Planning Association (Ireland) Israel Family Planning Association (Open Door) (Israel) Jamaica Family Planning Association (Jamaica) John Snow, Inc. (JSI) (United States) JOICFP (Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning) (Japan) Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network On HIV & AIDS (Kenya) Kenya Medical Association (Kenya) Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) (Kenya) Kyetume Community Based Health Care Programme (Uganda) L’ASSOCIATION DJIBOUTIENNE POUR L’EQUILIBRE ET LA PROMOTION DE LA FAMILLE (Dijibouti)  Latin American and Caribbean Womens Health Network (Latin America and the Caribbean)  Le Planning familial (France) LI PRIDE (Liberia) Lobi Health Center Foundation (Suriname) LUNA vzw (Belgium) Marie Stopes International (Global) MSI Reproductive Choices (United Kingdom)  Mujer Y Salud en Uruguay - MYSU (Uruguay) Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa (Kenya) Observatorio de la Gobernanza para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo A.C. (Mexico) OutRight Action International (United States)  Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) (Palestine) Pathfinder International (United States) Plan International (United Kingdom) Plan International USA (United States) Plan International, Inc (Global) Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (Ghana)  Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (Thailand)  Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (Zambia) Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (Nigeria) Planned Parenthood Global (Global) Profamilia (Colombia)  Queensway Institute of Technology and Business Studies (Kenya) Raks Thai Foundation (Thailand)  RAWSA MENA NETWORK (Tunisia - for the MENA region)  Red de Salud de las Mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe (Latin America and the Caribbean)  Red Latinoamericana y Caribeña de jóvenes por los Derechos Sexuales y Derechos Reproductivos  REDLAC (Mexico)   REDAAS - Red de Acceso al Aborto Seguro Argentina (Argentina)  Regional Centre for International Development Cooperation (RCIDC) (Uganda)  Reproductive Health Network Kenya (Kenya)  Reproductive Health Training Center/Regional SRHR Coalition for EECA (Moldova/ Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regions)  RFSU (Sweden)  RHAC (Cambodia)  Rutgers (Netherlands)  SANTE SEXUELLE SUISSE (Switzerland)  SCI Foundation (United Kingdom)  Sendas (Ecuador)  Sensoa (Belgium)  SERAC-Bangladesh (Bangladesh)  Sex og Politikk (IPPF Norway) (Norway)  SEXUL vs BARZA / SEX vs The STORK Association (Romania) SFBSP-BURUNDI (Burundi)  Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN) (Nigeria)  Solidarity Sisters Network of Liberia (SoSNoL) (Liberia, West Africa)  Solomon Island Planned Parenthood Association (Solomon Islands)  Somaliland Family Health Association (Somaliland)  Soroptimist International (United Kingdom)  Space Allies (Japan)  Stichting EqualA Foundation (Netherlands/ Thailand)  Stichting Ultimate Purpose (Suriname)  Stop AIDS in Liberia (SAIL) (Liberia)  SUDAN Family Planning Association (SFPA) (Sudan)  Sukaar Welfare Organization (Pakistan)  Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN) (Uganda)  Syrian Family Planning Association (Syria)  TAN UX´IL (Guatemala)  TDJ-BURUNDI (Burundi)  Teens Link Uganda (Uganda)  The African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) (Kenya)  The Lebanese Association for Family Health- SALAMA (Lebanon)  The Lesbian and Gay Association of Liberia (LEGAL) (Liberia)  The Society for Education on Contraception and Sexuality from Romania (Romania)  Together for Girls (United States)  Trust for Indigenous Culture and health (TICAH) (Kenya) Universal Access Project (United States)  Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (United States) Vidhayak Trust (India) WGNRR AFRICA (Tanzania)  William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (USA)  Women Deliver (USA)  Women Enabled International (USA)  Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) (Philippines)  Women's Link Worldwide (Global)  Women's Major Group (Global)  Women's Refugee Commission (USA)  Women’S Way Foundation Suriname (Suriname)  Woodhull Freedom Foundation (United States)  Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (Yemen) YouAct - European Youth Network on Sexual and Reproductive Rights (United Kingdom)  Young Feminist Europe (Belgium)  Youth Association for Development (Pakistan)  Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (YCSRR) (Canada)  Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. For 50 years, Planned Parenthood Global has supported access to sexual and reproductive health care and advocated for reproductive rights around the world. In partnership with nearly 100 organizations across nine focus countries in Africa and Latin America, we advance the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved. Each year, our partners provide sexual and reproductive health information and services to nearly 2 million people. Our unique sustainability model sets us apart, as we empower partners to stand on their own. We help grassroots organizations develop solid reproductive health programs, identify other sources of funding, build their communications and advocacy skills, and develop strategic plans. Planned Parenthood Global is the international arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. For over 65 years, IPPF through its 118 Member Associations and 15 partners, has delivered high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare. and advocated for the advancement of sexual rights. Our Member Associations and partners are independent organizations that are locally owned, which means they can deliver care and advocate for sexual and reproductive rights, informed by local context and expertise, especially to the vulnerable and the under-served. We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information, they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity — no matter what.

Burundi midwife speaks to school students
news_item

| 22 June 2021

Global Coalition of over 200 groups call for permanent end to Global Gag Rule

A coalition of over 200 international civil society organizations, organized by Planned Parenthood Global and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, released a joint statement today calling for a permanent end to the U.S. global gag rule. The statement — released as part of a week of action to end the global gag rule — was released in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, demonstrating the diversity of just some of the communities harmed by the rule over the past 37 years.  In addition to the over 200 organizations from 88 countries across six continents that signed the statement today — and countless other people around the world — 70% of Americans favor ending the global gag rule. Dawn Laguens, interim executive director, Planned Parenthood Global: “Study after study has demonstrated that the neocolonialist global gag rule devastates health care access for people around the world, especially those who already face systemic barriers to care. And yet, since 1984, the global gag rule has come and gone with each party shift in the White House. President Biden took an important step by ending this harmful rule for now, but real relief will not be felt until we can permanently end this devastating policy. The global community deserves true partnership from the U.S., but the threat that this destructive policy could reemerge undermines relationships and harms people around the globe. We come together today to tell the U.S. government: It’s time to end the global gag rule once and for all.” Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General, International Planned Parenthood Federation:  "Since its inception, the global gag rule has been a constant threat to the lives of women and girls and their right to decide what happens to their bodies. Designed to deny people safe and legal abortion care, it has also caused unfathomable damage across the health care spectrum — from HIV prevention and treatment to maternal health care. Our member associations on the front lines of care have witnessed this damage first hand. Whilst we applaud President Biden on rescinding the global gag rule, history has shown us that it is ready to be weaponized by coercive, anti-abortion administrations. We urge the U.S. government to break the violent cycle of the global gag rule permanently, so organizations like IPPF can provide life-saving health care without the fear of our ability to deliver being snatched away from us with the stroke of a pen. Together we can work toward a world where no one is left behind when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health and rights."  The global gag rule prohibits non-governmental organizations in other countries from receiving any U.S. global health assistance if they provide, refer, counsel or advocate for legal abortion in their country — even if these activities are supported solely with non-U.S. funds. This cruel policy was originally imposed by the Reagan administration, before being rescinded in 1993 by President Clinton, and then reinstated in 2001 by President Bush on his first business day in office. President Obama rescinded the global gag rule in January 2009, but less than a decade later, President Trump reimposed and radically expanded the policy, extending its harm and devastation to even more women and communities. President Biden then rescinded the gag rule in a presidential memorandum signed on January 28, 2021.   Marginalized communities — including women and girls, young people, and LGBTQ+ people — have experienced the most devastating constraints on services as a result of the global gag rule. Tragically, this harm does not fully stop even when the policy is not in effect. According to the joint statement: “The prospect of reinstatement under future administrations casts a long shadow and leaves the health and lives of millions of people vulnerable to the whims of future U.S. presidents… Even when presidents lift the global gag rule immediately upon taking office, high-quality health partners face long delays in resuming participation in U.S. global health programs. Permanent repeal of the policy is urgently needed to promote sustainable progress in global health and to build and maintain long-term partnerships between the U.S. government, local organizations, and the communities that they serve… Urgent action is needed to finally end the global gag rule once and for all and advance health, human rights, and gender equality across the globe.” The full joint statement can be found here and the full list of signatories is below: ABUBEF (Burundi)  ACABEF (Central African Republic) Accountability International (South Africa)  Action Against Hunger (United Kingdom) Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights (Canada) Advocates for Youth (United States) Afrihealth Optonet Association (CSOs Network) (Nigeria) AIDOS - Italian Association for Women in Development (Italy) Al Hameed educational society (India) Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC) (Uganda) Amnesty International (Global) AMPF - Mauritanie (Mauritania) AMPPF (Mali) AnA - Society for Feminist Analyses (Romania) APROSUVI (Guatemala) Asia Catalyst (Thailand) Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (Thailand/ Asia Pacific) Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) (Malaysia) ASSOCIAÇÃO GUINEENSE PARA O BEM ESTAR FAMILIAR (AGUIBEF) (Guinea-Bissau) Associação Para o Planeamento da Família (Portugal) Association Algérienne pour la Planification Familiale (Algeria) Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille ABPF (Benin) Association Burkinabe pour le Bien Etre Familial (ABBEF) (Burkina Faso) Association Centrafricaine pour le Bien Etre Familial ( ACABEF) Central African Republic) Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien Etre Familial (AIBEF) (Ivory Coast) Association Malienne pour la protection et la Promotion de la Famille (Mali) Association Marocaine de Planification Familiale (Morocco) Association Mauritanienne pour la Promotion de la Famille (Mauritania) Association Nigérienne Pour le Bien Etre Familial (ANBEF) (Niger) Association Tchadienne pour le Bien Etre Familiale (Chad) ASSOCIATION TOGOLAISE POUR LE BIEN ETRE FAMILIAL (ATBEF) (Togo) Association Tunisienne de la Santé de la Reproduction (ATSR) (Tunisia) ASTRA Network (CEE region/ Poland) ATHENA Network (Namibia) Aube Nouvelle pour l Femme et le Développement (Democratic Republic of Congo) Austrian Family Planning Association (Austria) Bahrain Reproductive Health Association (Bahrain) Bandhu Social Welfare Society (Bangladesh) Barnabas Charity Outreach (Nigeria) Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) (Botswana) Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) (Bulgaria) Burnet Institute (Australia) CARE USA (USA) Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (Antigua & Barbuda) Catalysts for Change (United States) Catholics for Choice (United States) Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir - Brasil (Brazil) Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir - Colombia (Colombia) CEDES - Centro de Estudio de Estado y Sociedad (Argentina) Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (Uganda) Center for Reproductive Rights (USA/ Switzerland/ Global) Centro de Derechos de Mujeres (Honduras) Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos - PROMSEX (Peru) CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality (Netherlands) CLADEM (Latin America) Corporación MILES (Chile) Danish Family Planning Association (Denmark) Dr Uzo Adirieje Foundation (DUZAFOUND) (Nigeria) DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung) (Germany) Economic and Social Rights Centre - Hakijamii (Kenya) Egyptian family planning Association (EFPA) (Egypt)  ELA - Equipo Latinoamericano de Justicia y Género (Argentina) Equidad de Género, Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia (Mexico) Famia Planea Aruba (Aruba) Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) (Ethiopia) Family Health Association of Iran (Iran) Family Medical Point (Uganda) Family Planning Alliance Australia (Australia) Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad & Tobago) FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI (Malawi) Family Planning Association of Nepal (Nepal) Family Planning Association Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) Family Planning New Zealand (New Zealand) Family Planning NSW (Australia) Federación Planificación Familiar Estatal (Spain) Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (Malaysia) Feminist League (Kazakhstan) Feminist Task Force (United States) Fiji Women's Rights Movement (Fiji) FILIA Center (Romania) FLAMA Uganda (Uganda) FPA Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka)  Friends Affected & Infected Together in Hand (FAITH) (Nepal) Front Association / Feminism-Romania (Romania) Fundacion Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual (Mexico) FUNDACION CEMOPLAF (Ecuador) Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación Familiar, A. C. MEXFAM (Mexico) Fundacion para estudio e investigacion de la Mujer (Argentina)  Fundación Pro Salud Sabana Yegua FUNPROSSY (Dominican Republic) Futures Without Violence (United States) Gestos _HIV, Communication and Gender (Brazil) Girl Up Initiative Uganda (Uganda) Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (United States) GreeneWorks (United States) Grupo Multidisciplinario para la Defensa de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos en Guatemala (Guatemala)  Guttmacher Institute (United States)  Hábitat Mujer Salud (Colombia) Haiti Adolescent Girls Network (Haiti)  Health, Ethics and Law Institute of Forum for Medical Ethics Society (India)  Heartland Alliance International (United States) Hesperian Health Guides (United States) HIV Legal Network (Canada)  Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) (Uganda) INPPARES (Peru) International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law (IANGEL) (United States)  International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion (United Kingdom/ Global) International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) (USA)  International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (United Kingdom) International Planned Parenthood Federation East and South East Asia and Oceania Region (ESEAOR) (Malaysia) Ipas (United States) International Planned Parenthood Federation (Global) Irish Family Planning Association (Ireland) Israel Family Planning Association (Open Door) (Israel) Jamaica Family Planning Association (Jamaica) John Snow, Inc. (JSI) (United States) JOICFP (Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning) (Japan) Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network On HIV & AIDS (Kenya) Kenya Medical Association (Kenya) Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) (Kenya) Kyetume Community Based Health Care Programme (Uganda) L’ASSOCIATION DJIBOUTIENNE POUR L’EQUILIBRE ET LA PROMOTION DE LA FAMILLE (Dijibouti)  Latin American and Caribbean Womens Health Network (Latin America and the Caribbean)  Le Planning familial (France) LI PRIDE (Liberia) Lobi Health Center Foundation (Suriname) LUNA vzw (Belgium) Marie Stopes International (Global) MSI Reproductive Choices (United Kingdom)  Mujer Y Salud en Uruguay - MYSU (Uruguay) Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa (Kenya) Observatorio de la Gobernanza para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo A.C. (Mexico) OutRight Action International (United States)  Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) (Palestine) Pathfinder International (United States) Plan International (United Kingdom) Plan International USA (United States) Plan International, Inc (Global) Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (Ghana)  Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (Thailand)  Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (Zambia) Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (Nigeria) Planned Parenthood Global (Global) Profamilia (Colombia)  Queensway Institute of Technology and Business Studies (Kenya) Raks Thai Foundation (Thailand)  RAWSA MENA NETWORK (Tunisia - for the MENA region)  Red de Salud de las Mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe (Latin America and the Caribbean)  Red Latinoamericana y Caribeña de jóvenes por los Derechos Sexuales y Derechos Reproductivos  REDLAC (Mexico)   REDAAS - Red de Acceso al Aborto Seguro Argentina (Argentina)  Regional Centre for International Development Cooperation (RCIDC) (Uganda)  Reproductive Health Network Kenya (Kenya)  Reproductive Health Training Center/Regional SRHR Coalition for EECA (Moldova/ Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regions)  RFSU (Sweden)  RHAC (Cambodia)  Rutgers (Netherlands)  SANTE SEXUELLE SUISSE (Switzerland)  SCI Foundation (United Kingdom)  Sendas (Ecuador)  Sensoa (Belgium)  SERAC-Bangladesh (Bangladesh)  Sex og Politikk (IPPF Norway) (Norway)  SEXUL vs BARZA / SEX vs The STORK Association (Romania) SFBSP-BURUNDI (Burundi)  Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN) (Nigeria)  Solidarity Sisters Network of Liberia (SoSNoL) (Liberia, West Africa)  Solomon Island Planned Parenthood Association (Solomon Islands)  Somaliland Family Health Association (Somaliland)  Soroptimist International (United Kingdom)  Space Allies (Japan)  Stichting EqualA Foundation (Netherlands/ Thailand)  Stichting Ultimate Purpose (Suriname)  Stop AIDS in Liberia (SAIL) (Liberia)  SUDAN Family Planning Association (SFPA) (Sudan)  Sukaar Welfare Organization (Pakistan)  Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN) (Uganda)  Syrian Family Planning Association (Syria)  TAN UX´IL (Guatemala)  TDJ-BURUNDI (Burundi)  Teens Link Uganda (Uganda)  The African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) (Kenya)  The Lebanese Association for Family Health- SALAMA (Lebanon)  The Lesbian and Gay Association of Liberia (LEGAL) (Liberia)  The Society for Education on Contraception and Sexuality from Romania (Romania)  Together for Girls (United States)  Trust for Indigenous Culture and health (TICAH) (Kenya) Universal Access Project (United States)  Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (United States) Vidhayak Trust (India) WGNRR AFRICA (Tanzania)  William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (USA)  Women Deliver (USA)  Women Enabled International (USA)  Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) (Philippines)  Women's Link Worldwide (Global)  Women's Major Group (Global)  Women's Refugee Commission (USA)  Women’S Way Foundation Suriname (Suriname)  Woodhull Freedom Foundation (United States)  Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (Yemen) YouAct - European Youth Network on Sexual and Reproductive Rights (United Kingdom)  Young Feminist Europe (Belgium)  Youth Association for Development (Pakistan)  Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (YCSRR) (Canada)  Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. For 50 years, Planned Parenthood Global has supported access to sexual and reproductive health care and advocated for reproductive rights around the world. In partnership with nearly 100 organizations across nine focus countries in Africa and Latin America, we advance the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved. Each year, our partners provide sexual and reproductive health information and services to nearly 2 million people. Our unique sustainability model sets us apart, as we empower partners to stand on their own. We help grassroots organizations develop solid reproductive health programs, identify other sources of funding, build their communications and advocacy skills, and develop strategic plans. Planned Parenthood Global is the international arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. For over 65 years, IPPF through its 118 Member Associations and 15 partners, has delivered high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare. and advocated for the advancement of sexual rights. Our Member Associations and partners are independent organizations that are locally owned, which means they can deliver care and advocate for sexual and reproductive rights, informed by local context and expertise, especially to the vulnerable and the under-served. We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information, they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity — no matter what.

woman receiving an implant
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| 17 June 2021

IPPF welcomes funding support from Australia for Asia Pacific COVID-19 SRHR Initiative

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is delighted to announce a new collaboration with MSI Reproductive Choices for the Asia Pacific. Funded by the Australian Government, the two organizations will deliver a two-year program, Responding with Essential SRHR Provision and New Delivery Mechanisms (RESPOND). The AU $33.4 million initiative, commencing July 2021 and running to the middle of 2023, will support IPPF Member Associations and MSI Country Programs to respond to the additional sexual and reproductive health needs of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 22 countries. IPPF’s Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, welcomed the news: “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating in many countries across the Asia-Pacific, especially on the lives of women and girls, who have been disproportionately affected by the uneven burden of caring responsibilities, increases in gender-based violence, and reduced access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.   “If the world is to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic and achieve greater gender equality, high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare must form an essential part of any effort. It is fantastic to work with a long-standing partner like DFAT that recognises this.  “We are immensely grateful for the Australian government’s unwavering support so that IPPF, alongside our partners at MSI Reproductive Choices,  can continue providing life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare both during the pandemic and beyond.” Simon Cooke, CEO at MSI Reproductive Choices, said:  “Giving women and girls the power to make reproductive choices is one of the smartest global investments, costing less than 2 pence per day to protect a young woman from an unintended pregnancy, giving her the chance to stay in school, forge a career, or even save her life. “However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of women and girls around the world have had access to sexual and reproductive health and rights stripped as these essential services have been deprioritised. When women are faced with crises, the need for reproductive choice has been shown to rise, at the very time that access falls. “We are delighted to be working in partnership with DFAT and IPPF to protect access to life changing and life-saving services when they are needed most and are grateful to the Australian government for their leadership in prioritising this within their Covid-19 response.”  

woman receiving an implant
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| 17 June 2021

IPPF welcomes funding support from Australia for Asia Pacific COVID-19 SRHR Initiative

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is delighted to announce a new collaboration with MSI Reproductive Choices for the Asia Pacific. Funded by the Australian Government, the two organizations will deliver a two-year program, Responding with Essential SRHR Provision and New Delivery Mechanisms (RESPOND). The AU $33.4 million initiative, commencing July 2021 and running to the middle of 2023, will support IPPF Member Associations and MSI Country Programs to respond to the additional sexual and reproductive health needs of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 22 countries. IPPF’s Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, welcomed the news: “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating in many countries across the Asia-Pacific, especially on the lives of women and girls, who have been disproportionately affected by the uneven burden of caring responsibilities, increases in gender-based violence, and reduced access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.   “If the world is to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic and achieve greater gender equality, high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare must form an essential part of any effort. It is fantastic to work with a long-standing partner like DFAT that recognises this.  “We are immensely grateful for the Australian government’s unwavering support so that IPPF, alongside our partners at MSI Reproductive Choices,  can continue providing life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare both during the pandemic and beyond.” Simon Cooke, CEO at MSI Reproductive Choices, said:  “Giving women and girls the power to make reproductive choices is one of the smartest global investments, costing less than 2 pence per day to protect a young woman from an unintended pregnancy, giving her the chance to stay in school, forge a career, or even save her life. “However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of women and girls around the world have had access to sexual and reproductive health and rights stripped as these essential services have been deprioritised. When women are faced with crises, the need for reproductive choice has been shown to rise, at the very time that access falls. “We are delighted to be working in partnership with DFAT and IPPF to protect access to life changing and life-saving services when they are needed most and are grateful to the Australian government for their leadership in prioritising this within their Covid-19 response.”  

A group of teenage girls in Palestine
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| 11 June 2021

IPPF hosts G7 SRHR Ministerial Roundtable

IPPF hosted a G7 Ministerial Roundtable entitled Empower Women and Girls, Empower Humanity: Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). The roundtable facilitated a meaningful dialogue on the importance of keeping SRHR commitments that G7 countries have made to the women and girls left behind, ensuring that SRHR and bodily autonomy are central to reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The roundtable was sponsored by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office United Kingdom (FCDO) and Global Affairs Canada, with participants from UK, Germany, USA, France, Japan, Canada, Australia, India, and South Africa. Karina Gould, Minister of International Development for the Government of Canada said: “It is more important than ever to ensure that women and girls have control over their bodies, and do not face additional vulnerabilities, discrimination and violation of their rights. We need to see an integrated effort to better enable our health systems to respond to the pandemic while continuing to address the needs of women and their families.”  Keiichi Ono, Assistant Minister and Director-General for Global Issues for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: “COVID-19 has exacerbated the plight of vulnerable people. Reaching the most vulnerable people first is key to realizing universal health coverage and to ensuring an effective gendered response to COVID-19 that includes Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.”    IPPF would like to thank those who contributed to the invigorating and inspirational event, and we look forward to continuing our collective push in ensuring bodily autonomy and SRHR remain central to UHC and the SDGs.

A group of teenage girls in Palestine
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| 11 June 2021

IPPF hosts G7 SRHR Ministerial Roundtable

IPPF hosted a G7 Ministerial Roundtable entitled Empower Women and Girls, Empower Humanity: Bodily Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). The roundtable facilitated a meaningful dialogue on the importance of keeping SRHR commitments that G7 countries have made to the women and girls left behind, ensuring that SRHR and bodily autonomy are central to reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The roundtable was sponsored by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office United Kingdom (FCDO) and Global Affairs Canada, with participants from UK, Germany, USA, France, Japan, Canada, Australia, India, and South Africa. Karina Gould, Minister of International Development for the Government of Canada said: “It is more important than ever to ensure that women and girls have control over their bodies, and do not face additional vulnerabilities, discrimination and violation of their rights. We need to see an integrated effort to better enable our health systems to respond to the pandemic while continuing to address the needs of women and their families.”  Keiichi Ono, Assistant Minister and Director-General for Global Issues for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: “COVID-19 has exacerbated the plight of vulnerable people. Reaching the most vulnerable people first is key to realizing universal health coverage and to ensuring an effective gendered response to COVID-19 that includes Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.”    IPPF would like to thank those who contributed to the invigorating and inspirational event, and we look forward to continuing our collective push in ensuring bodily autonomy and SRHR remain central to UHC and the SDGs.

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| 04 June 2021

Clarification on ‘IPPFWHR’, IWHC & CHANGE merger

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) would like to clarify the confusion regarding the ‘IPPFWHR’, International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), and CHANGE merger. IPPF is not merging with the IWHC and CHANGE. The former regional office based in the Western Hemisphere Region withdrew from IPPF in August 2020 and is no longer associated with IPPF. You can read the full statement on their departure here. IPPF through its Americas and the Caribbean regional office will continue to support the members in the region to deliver quality sexual and reproductive healthcare to millions of women, girls, and gender diverse people from all walks of life, and to ensure sexual and reproductive rights for all - no matter what.   La Federación Internacional de Planificación Familiar (IPPF) quiere clarificar la confusión sobre la fusión entre “IPPFWRH”, la IWHC y CHANGE. IPPF no se está fusionando con la International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) y CHANGE. La anterior oficina de la Región del Hemisferio Occidental se separó de IPPF el mes de agosto de 2020 y no tiene ninguna asociación con IPPF. Se ouede consultar el comunicado sobre su separación aquí. IPPF a través de su actual oficina regional para Las Américas y El Caribe continuará apoyando a las asociadas miembro para garantizar que se proveen servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva de calidad a millones de mujeres, adolescentes y personas no binarias en todas sus diversidades y garantizar sus derechos sexuales y sus derechos reproductivos.    

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| 04 June 2021

Clarification on ‘IPPFWHR’, IWHC & CHANGE merger

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) would like to clarify the confusion regarding the ‘IPPFWHR’, International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), and CHANGE merger. IPPF is not merging with the IWHC and CHANGE. The former regional office based in the Western Hemisphere Region withdrew from IPPF in August 2020 and is no longer associated with IPPF. You can read the full statement on their departure here. IPPF through its Americas and the Caribbean regional office will continue to support the members in the region to deliver quality sexual and reproductive healthcare to millions of women, girls, and gender diverse people from all walks of life, and to ensure sexual and reproductive rights for all - no matter what.   La Federación Internacional de Planificación Familiar (IPPF) quiere clarificar la confusión sobre la fusión entre “IPPFWRH”, la IWHC y CHANGE. IPPF no se está fusionando con la International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) y CHANGE. La anterior oficina de la Región del Hemisferio Occidental se separó de IPPF el mes de agosto de 2020 y no tiene ninguna asociación con IPPF. Se ouede consultar el comunicado sobre su separación aquí. IPPF a través de su actual oficina regional para Las Américas y El Caribe continuará apoyando a las asociadas miembro para garantizar que se proveen servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva de calidad a millones de mujeres, adolescentes y personas no binarias en todas sus diversidades y garantizar sus derechos sexuales y sus derechos reproductivos.    

a group of women and girls in Nepal
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| 02 June 2021

Aid cuts could lead to more than two million unintended pregnancies before the end of the year in continued blow for women and girls

New data from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has revealed that unless alternative funding is sourced, the UK government's £131 million ($186 million) cut to UNFPA Supplies – the largest provider of donated contraception for some of the world's poorest communities - will lead to an estimated additional: 2.4 million unintended pregnancies  685,000 unsafe abortions and 7,447 maternal deaths across IPPF's services alone before the end of 2021.[i] IPPF uses donations of contraception from UNFPA Supplies, including the pill, injectables, implants, IUDs, and condoms, to deliver much-needed sexual and reproductive healthcare across 45[ii] countries via its Member Associations (M.A.s).  For 2021, IPPF has received just $1.5 million worth of contraception out of the $14 million requested for the year. It is growing increasingly concerned that the remaining $12.5 million worth of contraception will no longer be available, meaning Member Associations will be dangerously close to running out of stock by the end of 2021, with shortages becoming increasingly acute for 2022 unless replacement funding can be found. The $14 million equates to 40% of IPPF's overall budget of $35 million for contraceptive supplies across the entire Federation.  Some IPPF Member Associations have reported that they are 100% reliant[iii] on the millions of dollars worth of contraception they receive from UNFPA Supplies, including M.A.s in Nepal, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Yemen, and South Sudan. For others, donations from UNFPA form a significant part of their budgets, such as M.A.s in Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Malawi, Nigeria, and Sudan. Furthermore, with the gap between procurement of contraception and supply often taking six months or more, and with UNFPA Supplies also the primary provider for Ministries of Health in the countries that IPPF and UNFPA work with, other avenues for Member Associations to receive contraception and commodities are also severely restricted.  The crushing figures come on top of already devastating news for IPPF, the world's largest sexual and reproductive healthcare organization, which saw cuts of around £72 million, approximately $100 million at the end of April.  These cuts include the dismantling of the U.K.'s hugely successful WISH (Women's Integrated Sexual Health) programme just three years into its creation, as well as the closure of IPPF's ACCESS (Approaches in Complex and Challenging Environments For Sustainable Sexual and Reproductive Health) programme.   Both initiatives help deliver life-saving contraception and sexual and reproductive healthcare for some of the most marginalized women and girls, including those living in poverty, refugees, those living with HIV, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. In some of the 45 countries, IPPF works with UNFPA Supplies alongside the WISH and ACCESS programmes. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF’s Director-General, said: "Millions of women[iv] in the world's poorest countries want to access contraception but can't, and this number will only increase following the U.K government's decision to axe hundreds of millions of promised pounds from the expert organizations that provide sexual and reproductive healthcare worldwide.   "Not only are the government dismantling well-established healthcare clinics and teams, but they are also stripping the remaining ones of valuable resources with little to no notice. Soon, healthcare teams will be left with nothing to give the women and girls who come to clinics for contraception, inevitably leading to millions of unintended pregnancies, thousands of unsafe abortions, and thousands of maternal deaths.  "While the government has presented these cuts as inevitable, no other country has slashed international aid in this way, and it will take years to rebuild programmes and regain the trust of devastated communities.  "What the government fails to recognize is that cuts to a body like UNFPA Supplies have a devastating ripple effect through the entire global healthcare ecosystem, weakening it in the process.  This naive and short-sighted decision will have long-lasting consequences, with the lives of thousands of women and girls lost in the process." Manuelle Hurwitz, Director of Programmes, added: "Not only are these cuts a disgrace, but they completely contradict the U.K government's 'priorities' of gender equality and getting 40 million more girls into education by 2025. Because how can a girl stay in school if she is pregnant before she is 16? "It is especially galling that this comes at the time when the U.K government, as leaders of the G7 summit, will urge nations to "build back better" after the coronavirus pandemic while choosing to abandon the poorest women and girls in the world's darkest hour." In the wake of the continued blows for women and girls worldwide, IPPF is asking the government to urgently recommit to setting aside 0.7% of the U.K.'s national income for international aid, as per its legal commitments. Programme delivery on hold  Since its launch in 2008, UNFPA supplies, alongside IPPF and other partners, has helped prevent: 89 million unintended pregnancies 26.8 million unsafe abortions  227,000 maternal deaths[v]  But the unexpected level of cuts in the middle of the financial year now means services and deliveries are on hold while partners grapple with the overwhelming task of securing funds for contraception and medical supplies.  Dr Naresh Pratap is the Executive Director for the Family Planning Association Nepal (FPAN), one of IPPF's Member Associations. FPAN is heavily reliant on UNFPA Supplies, with 100% of its average annual commodities budget of $700,000[viii] supported by UNFPA donations. Nepal has also been affected by the ACCESS programme's immediate closure and is subject to ongoing humanitarian crises due to its geographic remoteness, natural hazards, limited healthcare capacity and one-quarter of the nation living in extreme poverty. He said: "At the time when Nepal has already been affected by Trump's Gag Rule and gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the funding cuts to UNFPA supplies will mean that millions of people on the ground will struggle to access contraception. As an organization that depends heavily on UNFPA supplies and has been hard-hit by the recent closure of the ACCESS programme, the U.K. government's funding cut has further exacerbated FPAN's capacity to serve underprivileged people in urgent need of sexual and reproductive healthcare services – it  is unacceptable and beyond humanity." Investing in women means investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare With 120 million people about to be pushed back into extreme poverty due to the global pandemic, and women and girls already suffering the pandemic's effects disproportionately compared to men, the cuts have come at one of the most challenging times for nations around the world.   If countries are to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic, investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare is one of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty. As the U.K. heads into the G7 summit, leadership, commitment and intelligent forward-thinking is needed now, more than ever.  "These cuts will be devastating for women and girls and their families across the world," said UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem in a statement about the cuts.  "UNFPA recognizes the challenging situation facing many donor governments, yet deeply regrets the decision of our longstanding partner and advocate to step away from its commitments at a time when inequalities are deepening, and international solidarity is needed more than ever. "The truth is that when funding stops, women and girls suffer, especially the poor, those living in remote, underserved communities and those living through humanitarian crises. The needs of women and girls and their right to modern contraceptives have not changed, and UNFPA remains resolute and dedicated to our mandate." -Ends-   [i] Internal data from IPPF calculated using the pending $12.5 million pending request from UNFPA supplies. [ii] The 45 countries include: Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina-Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cambodia, CAR, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan,  Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigera, Pacific Island Countries (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen,Zambia and Zimbabwe. [iii] MA’s 100% reliant on donations from UNFPA include Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Conakry, Nepal, Samoa, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Yemen. [iv] 217 million women who want to avoid pregnancy have an unmet need for contraception. [v] Internal data from IPPF calculated using 2020 actual donation and 2021 requested value

a group of women and girls in Nepal
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| 03 June 2021

Aid cuts could lead to more than two million unintended pregnancies before the end of the year in continued blow for women and girls

New data from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has revealed that unless alternative funding is sourced, the UK government's £131 million ($186 million) cut to UNFPA Supplies – the largest provider of donated contraception for some of the world's poorest communities - will lead to an estimated additional: 2.4 million unintended pregnancies  685,000 unsafe abortions and 7,447 maternal deaths across IPPF's services alone before the end of 2021.[i] IPPF uses donations of contraception from UNFPA Supplies, including the pill, injectables, implants, IUDs, and condoms, to deliver much-needed sexual and reproductive healthcare across 45[ii] countries via its Member Associations (M.A.s).  For 2021, IPPF has received just $1.5 million worth of contraception out of the $14 million requested for the year. It is growing increasingly concerned that the remaining $12.5 million worth of contraception will no longer be available, meaning Member Associations will be dangerously close to running out of stock by the end of 2021, with shortages becoming increasingly acute for 2022 unless replacement funding can be found. The $14 million equates to 40% of IPPF's overall budget of $35 million for contraceptive supplies across the entire Federation.  Some IPPF Member Associations have reported that they are 100% reliant[iii] on the millions of dollars worth of contraception they receive from UNFPA Supplies, including M.A.s in Nepal, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Yemen, and South Sudan. For others, donations from UNFPA form a significant part of their budgets, such as M.A.s in Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Malawi, Nigeria, and Sudan. Furthermore, with the gap between procurement of contraception and supply often taking six months or more, and with UNFPA Supplies also the primary provider for Ministries of Health in the countries that IPPF and UNFPA work with, other avenues for Member Associations to receive contraception and commodities are also severely restricted.  The crushing figures come on top of already devastating news for IPPF, the world's largest sexual and reproductive healthcare organization, which saw cuts of around £72 million, approximately $100 million at the end of April.  These cuts include the dismantling of the U.K.'s hugely successful WISH (Women's Integrated Sexual Health) programme just three years into its creation, as well as the closure of IPPF's ACCESS (Approaches in Complex and Challenging Environments For Sustainable Sexual and Reproductive Health) programme.   Both initiatives help deliver life-saving contraception and sexual and reproductive healthcare for some of the most marginalized women and girls, including those living in poverty, refugees, those living with HIV, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. In some of the 45 countries, IPPF works with UNFPA Supplies alongside the WISH and ACCESS programmes. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF’s Director-General, said: "Millions of women[iv] in the world's poorest countries want to access contraception but can't, and this number will only increase following the U.K government's decision to axe hundreds of millions of promised pounds from the expert organizations that provide sexual and reproductive healthcare worldwide.   "Not only are the government dismantling well-established healthcare clinics and teams, but they are also stripping the remaining ones of valuable resources with little to no notice. Soon, healthcare teams will be left with nothing to give the women and girls who come to clinics for contraception, inevitably leading to millions of unintended pregnancies, thousands of unsafe abortions, and thousands of maternal deaths.  "While the government has presented these cuts as inevitable, no other country has slashed international aid in this way, and it will take years to rebuild programmes and regain the trust of devastated communities.  "What the government fails to recognize is that cuts to a body like UNFPA Supplies have a devastating ripple effect through the entire global healthcare ecosystem, weakening it in the process.  This naive and short-sighted decision will have long-lasting consequences, with the lives of thousands of women and girls lost in the process." Manuelle Hurwitz, Director of Programmes, added: "Not only are these cuts a disgrace, but they completely contradict the U.K government's 'priorities' of gender equality and getting 40 million more girls into education by 2025. Because how can a girl stay in school if she is pregnant before she is 16? "It is especially galling that this comes at the time when the U.K government, as leaders of the G7 summit, will urge nations to "build back better" after the coronavirus pandemic while choosing to abandon the poorest women and girls in the world's darkest hour." In the wake of the continued blows for women and girls worldwide, IPPF is asking the government to urgently recommit to setting aside 0.7% of the U.K.'s national income for international aid, as per its legal commitments. Programme delivery on hold  Since its launch in 2008, UNFPA supplies, alongside IPPF and other partners, has helped prevent: 89 million unintended pregnancies 26.8 million unsafe abortions  227,000 maternal deaths[v]  But the unexpected level of cuts in the middle of the financial year now means services and deliveries are on hold while partners grapple with the overwhelming task of securing funds for contraception and medical supplies.  Dr Naresh Pratap is the Executive Director for the Family Planning Association Nepal (FPAN), one of IPPF's Member Associations. FPAN is heavily reliant on UNFPA Supplies, with 100% of its average annual commodities budget of $700,000[viii] supported by UNFPA donations. Nepal has also been affected by the ACCESS programme's immediate closure and is subject to ongoing humanitarian crises due to its geographic remoteness, natural hazards, limited healthcare capacity and one-quarter of the nation living in extreme poverty. He said: "At the time when Nepal has already been affected by Trump's Gag Rule and gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the funding cuts to UNFPA supplies will mean that millions of people on the ground will struggle to access contraception. As an organization that depends heavily on UNFPA supplies and has been hard-hit by the recent closure of the ACCESS programme, the U.K. government's funding cut has further exacerbated FPAN's capacity to serve underprivileged people in urgent need of sexual and reproductive healthcare services – it  is unacceptable and beyond humanity." Investing in women means investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare With 120 million people about to be pushed back into extreme poverty due to the global pandemic, and women and girls already suffering the pandemic's effects disproportionately compared to men, the cuts have come at one of the most challenging times for nations around the world.   If countries are to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic, investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare is one of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty. As the U.K. heads into the G7 summit, leadership, commitment and intelligent forward-thinking is needed now, more than ever.  "These cuts will be devastating for women and girls and their families across the world," said UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem in a statement about the cuts.  "UNFPA recognizes the challenging situation facing many donor governments, yet deeply regrets the decision of our longstanding partner and advocate to step away from its commitments at a time when inequalities are deepening, and international solidarity is needed more than ever. "The truth is that when funding stops, women and girls suffer, especially the poor, those living in remote, underserved communities and those living through humanitarian crises. The needs of women and girls and their right to modern contraceptives have not changed, and UNFPA remains resolute and dedicated to our mandate." -Ends-   [i] Internal data from IPPF calculated using the pending $12.5 million pending request from UNFPA supplies. [ii] The 45 countries include: Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina-Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cambodia, CAR, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan,  Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigera, Pacific Island Countries (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen,Zambia and Zimbabwe. [iii] MA’s 100% reliant on donations from UNFPA include Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Conakry, Nepal, Samoa, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Yemen. [iv] 217 million women who want to avoid pregnancy have an unmet need for contraception. [v] Internal data from IPPF calculated using 2020 actual donation and 2021 requested value