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News

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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Global 50/50 report
news item

| 06 March 2019

IPPF honored to be commended as a "high achiever" in the Global Health 50/50 report

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has been commended as a high performer in the Global Health 50/50 2019 analysis of gender equality policies and practices among global organisations active in health.   Of 198 global organisations reviewed for the report, which is published today (7 March 2019), 31 were commended for their performance, including IPPF.  IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, said: “We are honored and delighted to be commended in the Global Heath 50/50 report.   As a Federation which focuses so much on providing essential care for, and fighting for the rights of, women and girls in countries around the world, IPPF is committed to reducing gender inequalities in the global health workplace, including our own.   It’s apt that this very important report is launched on the eve of International Women’s Day and that it is entitled “Equality Works”. It does, and inequality does not.   I echo the words of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in her foreword in the report; global health organisations can, indeed must, lead the way by building fairer, more equal workplaces.   Despite this commendation, IPPF still has more work to do. We intend to do everything we can to ensure that we are a very high performer in the practice of gender equality across our Federation. We and every organisation studied owes a debt of thanks to Global Health 50/50 for holding us all to account.” Note: Global Health 50/50, which was launched in 2018, seeks to advance action and accountability for gender equality in global health. This year’s report focuses on workplace policies to support gender equality and promote respectful, dignified and diverse workplaces. In addition to the variables we reviewed last year which assessed the extent to which organisations consider gender as relevant to their mandate both internally and operationally, this year we also reviewed policies for preventing sexual harassment, supporting parental leave and flexible working, and published gender pay gaps.  

Global 50/50 report
news_item

| 07 March 2019

IPPF honored to be commended as a "high achiever" in the Global Health 50/50 report

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has been commended as a high performer in the Global Health 50/50 2019 analysis of gender equality policies and practices among global organisations active in health.   Of 198 global organisations reviewed for the report, which is published today (7 March 2019), 31 were commended for their performance, including IPPF.  IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, said: “We are honored and delighted to be commended in the Global Heath 50/50 report.   As a Federation which focuses so much on providing essential care for, and fighting for the rights of, women and girls in countries around the world, IPPF is committed to reducing gender inequalities in the global health workplace, including our own.   It’s apt that this very important report is launched on the eve of International Women’s Day and that it is entitled “Equality Works”. It does, and inequality does not.   I echo the words of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in her foreword in the report; global health organisations can, indeed must, lead the way by building fairer, more equal workplaces.   Despite this commendation, IPPF still has more work to do. We intend to do everything we can to ensure that we are a very high performer in the practice of gender equality across our Federation. We and every organisation studied owes a debt of thanks to Global Health 50/50 for holding us all to account.” Note: Global Health 50/50, which was launched in 2018, seeks to advance action and accountability for gender equality in global health. This year’s report focuses on workplace policies to support gender equality and promote respectful, dignified and diverse workplaces. In addition to the variables we reviewed last year which assessed the extent to which organisations consider gender as relevant to their mandate both internally and operationally, this year we also reviewed policies for preventing sexual harassment, supporting parental leave and flexible working, and published gender pay gaps.  

news item

| 01 March 2019

IPPF celebrates SheDecides 2nd anniversary

I'm so excited that today marks the Second Global SheDecides Day. I am proud to be a SheDecides Champion, and IPPF is proud to host the Support Unit as well as today's Flagship Event with Arrow. SheDecides is a global political movement that was spurred into action in response to a global threat to women and girl's rights. Two years later, SheDecides has a huge global impact and continues to inspire and change the world - bringing together politicians and young people, as well as community actors from all parts of the world. This is a vibrant movement and together we are helping change harmful social norms to allow women and girls to prosper.  Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl everywhere can decide what to do with her body, with her life and with her future. Without question. We look forward to celebrating many more years of SheDecides. - Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General, IPPF   Learn more about SheDecides and sign their manifesto

news_item

| 02 March 2019

IPPF celebrates SheDecides 2nd anniversary

I'm so excited that today marks the Second Global SheDecides Day. I am proud to be a SheDecides Champion, and IPPF is proud to host the Support Unit as well as today's Flagship Event with Arrow. SheDecides is a global political movement that was spurred into action in response to a global threat to women and girl's rights. Two years later, SheDecides has a huge global impact and continues to inspire and change the world - bringing together politicians and young people, as well as community actors from all parts of the world. This is a vibrant movement and together we are helping change harmful social norms to allow women and girls to prosper.  Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl everywhere can decide what to do with her body, with her life and with her future. Without question. We look forward to celebrating many more years of SheDecides. - Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General, IPPF   Learn more about SheDecides and sign their manifesto

young people botswana
news item

| 14 November 2018

IPPF and Government of Canada new partnership for youth

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is delighted to welcome today’s announcement of a new partnership between Global Affairs Canada and IPPF to deliver Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programs through Centers of Excellence in Latin America, West Africa and East Africa. Under the two-year project, beginning in 2019, IPPF Member Associations in Bolivia, Togo and Kenya will build on their extensive experience in youth-centred programming. The partnership will improve the quality of and access to integrated gender and rights-based SRH services, increase access to quality Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and develop Centers of Excellence to support regionwide progress for adolescents and youth. The $8 million CAD project integrates key lessons learned and best practices from all three Member Associations - Centro de Investigación, Educación y Servicios (CIES) of Bolivia, Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK), and the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) – based on their extensive experience and expertise in gender transformative programming for adolescents in their communities. The project, entitled Enabling and Empowering Young People through Rights-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Delivery and Comprehensive Sexuality Education, will: Increase the uptake of quality integrated gender and rights-based youth-centred SRH services by young people in Bolivia, Kenya and Togo. Improve the quality of programming focussed on young people, supported by the Centers of Excellence, in selected East and West African and Latin American countries. Increases awareness of their sexual and reproductive health and rights among youth in Bolivia, Kenya and Togo. Increase community willingness to support young people's access to SRH services. IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo welcomed the partnership. He said: "This investment by the Government of Canada is our latest partnership in a joint determination to work together to bring sexual and reproductive health care to young people, who need it most and whose rights have been most commonly ignored and neglected. IPPF and the Government of Canada share a deep desire to focus on reaching the poorest and most marginalized youth, to improve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and promote gender equality and women’s rights. This wonderful partnership will help in achieving those goals." Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minster of International Development said: "Canada is proud to support organizations like IPPF that are working to challenge harmful social norms that limit women and girls' rights to sexual and reproductive health, and to ensure that all women and girls can access family planning, comprehensive sexuality education and safe legal abortion services."

young people botswana
news_item

| 14 November 2018

IPPF and Government of Canada new partnership for youth

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is delighted to welcome today’s announcement of a new partnership between Global Affairs Canada and IPPF to deliver Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programs through Centers of Excellence in Latin America, West Africa and East Africa. Under the two-year project, beginning in 2019, IPPF Member Associations in Bolivia, Togo and Kenya will build on their extensive experience in youth-centred programming. The partnership will improve the quality of and access to integrated gender and rights-based SRH services, increase access to quality Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and develop Centers of Excellence to support regionwide progress for adolescents and youth. The $8 million CAD project integrates key lessons learned and best practices from all three Member Associations - Centro de Investigación, Educación y Servicios (CIES) of Bolivia, Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK), and the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) – based on their extensive experience and expertise in gender transformative programming for adolescents in their communities. The project, entitled Enabling and Empowering Young People through Rights-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Delivery and Comprehensive Sexuality Education, will: Increase the uptake of quality integrated gender and rights-based youth-centred SRH services by young people in Bolivia, Kenya and Togo. Improve the quality of programming focussed on young people, supported by the Centers of Excellence, in selected East and West African and Latin American countries. Increases awareness of their sexual and reproductive health and rights among youth in Bolivia, Kenya and Togo. Increase community willingness to support young people's access to SRH services. IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo welcomed the partnership. He said: "This investment by the Government of Canada is our latest partnership in a joint determination to work together to bring sexual and reproductive health care to young people, who need it most and whose rights have been most commonly ignored and neglected. IPPF and the Government of Canada share a deep desire to focus on reaching the poorest and most marginalized youth, to improve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and promote gender equality and women’s rights. This wonderful partnership will help in achieving those goals." Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minster of International Development said: "Canada is proud to support organizations like IPPF that are working to challenge harmful social norms that limit women and girls' rights to sexual and reproductive health, and to ensure that all women and girls can access family planning, comprehensive sexuality education and safe legal abortion services."

WISH Family Planning
news item

| 13 November 2018

New flagship health programme to transform the lives of millions of women and girls

The lives of millions of women and girls will be transformed by new sexual and reproductive healthcare programmes led by International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Marie Stopes International (MSI) consortia across Africa and South Asia. The programmes will launch integrated healthcare expansion in 27 countries and were announced in Kigali at the International Conference on Family Planning today. The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), to deliver access to life-saving contraception for six million couples per year. The Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt said: "Investing in family planning gives women control over their own bodies and lives. It helps them complete their education, pursue job opportunities and challenge inequality around the world." The new programme will accelerate progress towards meeting global commitments on expanding access to contraception made by governments and civil society organisations through the Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) movement. The IPPF and MSI WISH consortia will ensure previously unreached people, especially young and poorer women, are able to access contraception and have the choice on whether, when and how often to have children. IPPF’s Director General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said the WISH programme would transform lives. He said: "This is a significant investment and a deep commitment to putting women at the heart of healthcare. Women and girls – of all ages, places, income and education – must have access to high quality, voluntary family planning care and information. We thank the UK Government for their commitment to this vital issue. Together, we can accelerate change by expanding integrated healthcare through our clinics and outreach services. More services, wider contraceptive options and better access to safe abortion, means the right care at the right time. More power for every girl and woman to decide what to do with her body, with her life, and with her future." The WISH programme will scale up efforts at country level, expanding reach to millions of new users of sexual and reproductive health services. Genet Mengistu, the Executive Director of the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE), an IPPF member, said: "This is an incredible opportunity to accelerate change for women and girls to decide their own futures. It will get family planning services to Ethiopian women, particularly to those underserved." Simon Cooke, CEO at MSI, said: "Through this funding, we and our partners will be able to bring quality sexual and reproductive health services to millions of women in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities. For many, it will be their first chance to access any kind of contraception, empowering them to stay in education, forge a career, stay healthy and pursue their hopes and dreams for the future.   With this landmark investment in women and girls, the UK Government is creating the right conditions to drive multiple other areas of development, from increasing the number of girls completing education to enabling couples and families in poverty to maximise their earning potential. We applaud DFID for its continued support for this vital and life-changing work." The £200 million investment to leading sexual and reproductive health service providers IPPF and MSI is made-up of two individual DFID WISH awards, through consortium arrangements. Lot 1 is a consortium managed by MSI with 7 of its country programmes and 6 IPPF Member Associations, with a focus on West and Central Africa. Lot 2 is a consortium managed by IPPF with 16 Member Associations and 8 MSI country programmes with a focus on East and Southern Africa and Asia.

WISH Family Planning
news_item

| 13 November 2018

New flagship health programme to transform the lives of millions of women and girls

The lives of millions of women and girls will be transformed by new sexual and reproductive healthcare programmes led by International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Marie Stopes International (MSI) consortia across Africa and South Asia. The programmes will launch integrated healthcare expansion in 27 countries and were announced in Kigali at the International Conference on Family Planning today. The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), to deliver access to life-saving contraception for six million couples per year. The Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt said: "Investing in family planning gives women control over their own bodies and lives. It helps them complete their education, pursue job opportunities and challenge inequality around the world." The new programme will accelerate progress towards meeting global commitments on expanding access to contraception made by governments and civil society organisations through the Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) movement. The IPPF and MSI WISH consortia will ensure previously unreached people, especially young and poorer women, are able to access contraception and have the choice on whether, when and how often to have children. IPPF’s Director General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said the WISH programme would transform lives. He said: "This is a significant investment and a deep commitment to putting women at the heart of healthcare. Women and girls – of all ages, places, income and education – must have access to high quality, voluntary family planning care and information. We thank the UK Government for their commitment to this vital issue. Together, we can accelerate change by expanding integrated healthcare through our clinics and outreach services. More services, wider contraceptive options and better access to safe abortion, means the right care at the right time. More power for every girl and woman to decide what to do with her body, with her life, and with her future." The WISH programme will scale up efforts at country level, expanding reach to millions of new users of sexual and reproductive health services. Genet Mengistu, the Executive Director of the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE), an IPPF member, said: "This is an incredible opportunity to accelerate change for women and girls to decide their own futures. It will get family planning services to Ethiopian women, particularly to those underserved." Simon Cooke, CEO at MSI, said: "Through this funding, we and our partners will be able to bring quality sexual and reproductive health services to millions of women in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities. For many, it will be their first chance to access any kind of contraception, empowering them to stay in education, forge a career, stay healthy and pursue their hopes and dreams for the future.   With this landmark investment in women and girls, the UK Government is creating the right conditions to drive multiple other areas of development, from increasing the number of girls completing education to enabling couples and families in poverty to maximise their earning potential. We applaud DFID for its continued support for this vital and life-changing work." The £200 million investment to leading sexual and reproductive health service providers IPPF and MSI is made-up of two individual DFID WISH awards, through consortium arrangements. Lot 1 is a consortium managed by MSI with 7 of its country programmes and 6 IPPF Member Associations, with a focus on West and Central Africa. Lot 2 is a consortium managed by IPPF with 16 Member Associations and 8 MSI country programmes with a focus on East and Southern Africa and Asia.

United Nations
news item

| 01 November 2018

IPPF welcomes UN Human Rights Committee assertion on access to safe abortion

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has welcomed the adoption by the UN Human Rights Committee of a General Comment on the “Right to Life” and the recognition of the unequivocal and inalienable right of a pregnant woman or girl to life. IPPF Director of Advocacy, Anamaria Bejar said:  “IPPF calls on States to revise their laws, removing barriers to ensure access to safe and legal abortion for all women and girls. Currently 25 million abortions a year are unsafe. The General Comment on the “Right to Life” is clear, States must comply with their duty to ensure that women and girls are not forced to undertake unsafe abortions.    We know it is wrong for any woman to be coerced through a full pregnancy against her wishes. The Committee’s assertion provides the legal framework to access to safe abortion care as a human right.” IPPF has also echoed the Committee’s urge for Governments to ensure access to comprehensive sexuality education and a wide range of affordable contraceptive methods for all, as well as to quality prenatal and post-abortion health care for women and girls in all circumstances and on a confidential basis.  And it has endorsed the Human Rights Committee’s call for States to guarantee that the right to life must be respected and ensured without distinction of any kind, with special measures to protect persons in situations of vulnerability, including the LGBTQI+.  The General Comment also reaffirms the fundamental principle that human rights apply only after birth. IPPF worked alongside UN member states and other non-government organizations from different backgrounds during a three-year process to uphold our international human rights standards to prevent maternal mortality, guarantee women and girls’ rights to bodily autonomy and privacy, and that access to abortion is protected under international human rights law. 

United Nations
news_item

| 01 November 2018

IPPF welcomes UN Human Rights Committee assertion on access to safe abortion

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has welcomed the adoption by the UN Human Rights Committee of a General Comment on the “Right to Life” and the recognition of the unequivocal and inalienable right of a pregnant woman or girl to life. IPPF Director of Advocacy, Anamaria Bejar said:  “IPPF calls on States to revise their laws, removing barriers to ensure access to safe and legal abortion for all women and girls. Currently 25 million abortions a year are unsafe. The General Comment on the “Right to Life” is clear, States must comply with their duty to ensure that women and girls are not forced to undertake unsafe abortions.    We know it is wrong for any woman to be coerced through a full pregnancy against her wishes. The Committee’s assertion provides the legal framework to access to safe abortion care as a human right.” IPPF has also echoed the Committee’s urge for Governments to ensure access to comprehensive sexuality education and a wide range of affordable contraceptive methods for all, as well as to quality prenatal and post-abortion health care for women and girls in all circumstances and on a confidential basis.  And it has endorsed the Human Rights Committee’s call for States to guarantee that the right to life must be respected and ensured without distinction of any kind, with special measures to protect persons in situations of vulnerability, including the LGBTQI+.  The General Comment also reaffirms the fundamental principle that human rights apply only after birth. IPPF worked alongside UN member states and other non-government organizations from different backgrounds during a three-year process to uphold our international human rights standards to prevent maternal mortality, guarantee women and girls’ rights to bodily autonomy and privacy, and that access to abortion is protected under international human rights law. 

SAAF volunteer - Uganda
news item

| 28 September 2018

Radical scale up of medical abortion needed globally urges new IPPF report

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) today launched a new report on global medical abortion access as an urgent call to action. The Her in Charge report presses governments, health, academic and NGO sectors to take immediate steps to stop women from dying and suffering disabilities due to an unsafe abortion by radically scaling up medical abortion efforts. Nearly one in every two abortions that occur is unsafe – 25 million women each year are forced to find their own, often dangerous, solutions to an unintended pregnancy. The knowledge, the technology, and the experience to make all abortions safe abortions exist. Yet tens of millions of women each year still lack access to completely safe abortions. Medical abortion – the use of the medicines misoprostol alone or in combination with mifepristone to opt out of a pregnancy – is safe, cheap and simple to administer. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF Director General said: “Medical abortion is not new, but its full potential has not been reached due to the lack of action and prioritisation by governments, donors, medical professionals and private and civil society health providers. The fact we’ve had this technology for so long but is still not as accessible, is a global tragedy.   The report shows that medical abortion has the potential to revolutionise the delivery of safe abortion globally. Without medical abortion, women are denied proper care.They should not be forced to take risks with their health. For all abortions to be a safe abortion, action is needed now”. IPPF’s Her In Charge report demonstrates how medical abortion access can exponentially increase access to safe abortion, enabling women to be in charge about the decisions about their bodies. An essential part of women’s rights.  Medical abortion facilitates task-sharing, which is transformational in low-resource settings where primary-care level and lay workers are trained and equipped to administer abortion.   Key recommendations: Governments should create a supportive environment to ensure women can access safe and legal abortion, including the political, social, economic, health and legal frameworks.   Medical abortion should be embedded in health systems. Governments can ensure the quality, availability and affordability of medical abortion drugs by registering misoprostol and mifepristone in the list of essential medicines of their countries.   Women must be supported by health systems in accessing the information they need to have a medical abortion safely and to access post-abortion care. This includes medical abortion without medical supervision. Health systems should include self-administered medical abortion. Women must have full information about medical abortion risks factors, dosage and have access to post-abortion care and contraception.   Women must have all options available to them: either medical or surgical abortion, in a health facility or at home – whatever they prefer. It is their right.   The full report can be found here. More information on the 'I decide' campaign can be found here.

SAAF volunteer - Uganda
news_item

| 28 September 2018

Radical scale up of medical abortion needed globally urges new IPPF report

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) today launched a new report on global medical abortion access as an urgent call to action. The Her in Charge report presses governments, health, academic and NGO sectors to take immediate steps to stop women from dying and suffering disabilities due to an unsafe abortion by radically scaling up medical abortion efforts. Nearly one in every two abortions that occur is unsafe – 25 million women each year are forced to find their own, often dangerous, solutions to an unintended pregnancy. The knowledge, the technology, and the experience to make all abortions safe abortions exist. Yet tens of millions of women each year still lack access to completely safe abortions. Medical abortion – the use of the medicines misoprostol alone or in combination with mifepristone to opt out of a pregnancy – is safe, cheap and simple to administer. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF Director General said: “Medical abortion is not new, but its full potential has not been reached due to the lack of action and prioritisation by governments, donors, medical professionals and private and civil society health providers. The fact we’ve had this technology for so long but is still not as accessible, is a global tragedy.   The report shows that medical abortion has the potential to revolutionise the delivery of safe abortion globally. Without medical abortion, women are denied proper care.They should not be forced to take risks with their health. For all abortions to be a safe abortion, action is needed now”. IPPF’s Her In Charge report demonstrates how medical abortion access can exponentially increase access to safe abortion, enabling women to be in charge about the decisions about their bodies. An essential part of women’s rights.  Medical abortion facilitates task-sharing, which is transformational in low-resource settings where primary-care level and lay workers are trained and equipped to administer abortion.   Key recommendations: Governments should create a supportive environment to ensure women can access safe and legal abortion, including the political, social, economic, health and legal frameworks.   Medical abortion should be embedded in health systems. Governments can ensure the quality, availability and affordability of medical abortion drugs by registering misoprostol and mifepristone in the list of essential medicines of their countries.   Women must be supported by health systems in accessing the information they need to have a medical abortion safely and to access post-abortion care. This includes medical abortion without medical supervision. Health systems should include self-administered medical abortion. Women must have full information about medical abortion risks factors, dosage and have access to post-abortion care and contraception.   Women must have all options available to them: either medical or surgical abortion, in a health facility or at home – whatever they prefer. It is their right.   The full report can be found here. More information on the 'I decide' campaign can be found here.

Global 50/50 report
news item

| 06 March 2019

IPPF honored to be commended as a "high achiever" in the Global Health 50/50 report

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has been commended as a high performer in the Global Health 50/50 2019 analysis of gender equality policies and practices among global organisations active in health.   Of 198 global organisations reviewed for the report, which is published today (7 March 2019), 31 were commended for their performance, including IPPF.  IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, said: “We are honored and delighted to be commended in the Global Heath 50/50 report.   As a Federation which focuses so much on providing essential care for, and fighting for the rights of, women and girls in countries around the world, IPPF is committed to reducing gender inequalities in the global health workplace, including our own.   It’s apt that this very important report is launched on the eve of International Women’s Day and that it is entitled “Equality Works”. It does, and inequality does not.   I echo the words of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in her foreword in the report; global health organisations can, indeed must, lead the way by building fairer, more equal workplaces.   Despite this commendation, IPPF still has more work to do. We intend to do everything we can to ensure that we are a very high performer in the practice of gender equality across our Federation. We and every organisation studied owes a debt of thanks to Global Health 50/50 for holding us all to account.” Note: Global Health 50/50, which was launched in 2018, seeks to advance action and accountability for gender equality in global health. This year’s report focuses on workplace policies to support gender equality and promote respectful, dignified and diverse workplaces. In addition to the variables we reviewed last year which assessed the extent to which organisations consider gender as relevant to their mandate both internally and operationally, this year we also reviewed policies for preventing sexual harassment, supporting parental leave and flexible working, and published gender pay gaps.  

Global 50/50 report
news_item

| 07 March 2019

IPPF honored to be commended as a "high achiever" in the Global Health 50/50 report

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has been commended as a high performer in the Global Health 50/50 2019 analysis of gender equality policies and practices among global organisations active in health.   Of 198 global organisations reviewed for the report, which is published today (7 March 2019), 31 were commended for their performance, including IPPF.  IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, said: “We are honored and delighted to be commended in the Global Heath 50/50 report.   As a Federation which focuses so much on providing essential care for, and fighting for the rights of, women and girls in countries around the world, IPPF is committed to reducing gender inequalities in the global health workplace, including our own.   It’s apt that this very important report is launched on the eve of International Women’s Day and that it is entitled “Equality Works”. It does, and inequality does not.   I echo the words of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in her foreword in the report; global health organisations can, indeed must, lead the way by building fairer, more equal workplaces.   Despite this commendation, IPPF still has more work to do. We intend to do everything we can to ensure that we are a very high performer in the practice of gender equality across our Federation. We and every organisation studied owes a debt of thanks to Global Health 50/50 for holding us all to account.” Note: Global Health 50/50, which was launched in 2018, seeks to advance action and accountability for gender equality in global health. This year’s report focuses on workplace policies to support gender equality and promote respectful, dignified and diverse workplaces. In addition to the variables we reviewed last year which assessed the extent to which organisations consider gender as relevant to their mandate both internally and operationally, this year we also reviewed policies for preventing sexual harassment, supporting parental leave and flexible working, and published gender pay gaps.  

news item

| 01 March 2019

IPPF celebrates SheDecides 2nd anniversary

I'm so excited that today marks the Second Global SheDecides Day. I am proud to be a SheDecides Champion, and IPPF is proud to host the Support Unit as well as today's Flagship Event with Arrow. SheDecides is a global political movement that was spurred into action in response to a global threat to women and girl's rights. Two years later, SheDecides has a huge global impact and continues to inspire and change the world - bringing together politicians and young people, as well as community actors from all parts of the world. This is a vibrant movement and together we are helping change harmful social norms to allow women and girls to prosper.  Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl everywhere can decide what to do with her body, with her life and with her future. Without question. We look forward to celebrating many more years of SheDecides. - Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General, IPPF   Learn more about SheDecides and sign their manifesto

news_item

| 02 March 2019

IPPF celebrates SheDecides 2nd anniversary

I'm so excited that today marks the Second Global SheDecides Day. I am proud to be a SheDecides Champion, and IPPF is proud to host the Support Unit as well as today's Flagship Event with Arrow. SheDecides is a global political movement that was spurred into action in response to a global threat to women and girl's rights. Two years later, SheDecides has a huge global impact and continues to inspire and change the world - bringing together politicians and young people, as well as community actors from all parts of the world. This is a vibrant movement and together we are helping change harmful social norms to allow women and girls to prosper.  Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl everywhere can decide what to do with her body, with her life and with her future. Without question. We look forward to celebrating many more years of SheDecides. - Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General, IPPF   Learn more about SheDecides and sign their manifesto

young people botswana
news item

| 14 November 2018

IPPF and Government of Canada new partnership for youth

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is delighted to welcome today’s announcement of a new partnership between Global Affairs Canada and IPPF to deliver Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programs through Centers of Excellence in Latin America, West Africa and East Africa. Under the two-year project, beginning in 2019, IPPF Member Associations in Bolivia, Togo and Kenya will build on their extensive experience in youth-centred programming. The partnership will improve the quality of and access to integrated gender and rights-based SRH services, increase access to quality Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and develop Centers of Excellence to support regionwide progress for adolescents and youth. The $8 million CAD project integrates key lessons learned and best practices from all three Member Associations - Centro de Investigación, Educación y Servicios (CIES) of Bolivia, Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK), and the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) – based on their extensive experience and expertise in gender transformative programming for adolescents in their communities. The project, entitled Enabling and Empowering Young People through Rights-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Delivery and Comprehensive Sexuality Education, will: Increase the uptake of quality integrated gender and rights-based youth-centred SRH services by young people in Bolivia, Kenya and Togo. Improve the quality of programming focussed on young people, supported by the Centers of Excellence, in selected East and West African and Latin American countries. Increases awareness of their sexual and reproductive health and rights among youth in Bolivia, Kenya and Togo. Increase community willingness to support young people's access to SRH services. IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo welcomed the partnership. He said: "This investment by the Government of Canada is our latest partnership in a joint determination to work together to bring sexual and reproductive health care to young people, who need it most and whose rights have been most commonly ignored and neglected. IPPF and the Government of Canada share a deep desire to focus on reaching the poorest and most marginalized youth, to improve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and promote gender equality and women’s rights. This wonderful partnership will help in achieving those goals." Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minster of International Development said: "Canada is proud to support organizations like IPPF that are working to challenge harmful social norms that limit women and girls' rights to sexual and reproductive health, and to ensure that all women and girls can access family planning, comprehensive sexuality education and safe legal abortion services."

young people botswana
news_item

| 14 November 2018

IPPF and Government of Canada new partnership for youth

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is delighted to welcome today’s announcement of a new partnership between Global Affairs Canada and IPPF to deliver Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programs through Centers of Excellence in Latin America, West Africa and East Africa. Under the two-year project, beginning in 2019, IPPF Member Associations in Bolivia, Togo and Kenya will build on their extensive experience in youth-centred programming. The partnership will improve the quality of and access to integrated gender and rights-based SRH services, increase access to quality Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and develop Centers of Excellence to support regionwide progress for adolescents and youth. The $8 million CAD project integrates key lessons learned and best practices from all three Member Associations - Centro de Investigación, Educación y Servicios (CIES) of Bolivia, Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK), and the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) – based on their extensive experience and expertise in gender transformative programming for adolescents in their communities. The project, entitled Enabling and Empowering Young People through Rights-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Delivery and Comprehensive Sexuality Education, will: Increase the uptake of quality integrated gender and rights-based youth-centred SRH services by young people in Bolivia, Kenya and Togo. Improve the quality of programming focussed on young people, supported by the Centers of Excellence, in selected East and West African and Latin American countries. Increases awareness of their sexual and reproductive health and rights among youth in Bolivia, Kenya and Togo. Increase community willingness to support young people's access to SRH services. IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo welcomed the partnership. He said: "This investment by the Government of Canada is our latest partnership in a joint determination to work together to bring sexual and reproductive health care to young people, who need it most and whose rights have been most commonly ignored and neglected. IPPF and the Government of Canada share a deep desire to focus on reaching the poorest and most marginalized youth, to improve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and promote gender equality and women’s rights. This wonderful partnership will help in achieving those goals." Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minster of International Development said: "Canada is proud to support organizations like IPPF that are working to challenge harmful social norms that limit women and girls' rights to sexual and reproductive health, and to ensure that all women and girls can access family planning, comprehensive sexuality education and safe legal abortion services."

WISH Family Planning
news item

| 13 November 2018

New flagship health programme to transform the lives of millions of women and girls

The lives of millions of women and girls will be transformed by new sexual and reproductive healthcare programmes led by International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Marie Stopes International (MSI) consortia across Africa and South Asia. The programmes will launch integrated healthcare expansion in 27 countries and were announced in Kigali at the International Conference on Family Planning today. The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), to deliver access to life-saving contraception for six million couples per year. The Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt said: "Investing in family planning gives women control over their own bodies and lives. It helps them complete their education, pursue job opportunities and challenge inequality around the world." The new programme will accelerate progress towards meeting global commitments on expanding access to contraception made by governments and civil society organisations through the Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) movement. The IPPF and MSI WISH consortia will ensure previously unreached people, especially young and poorer women, are able to access contraception and have the choice on whether, when and how often to have children. IPPF’s Director General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said the WISH programme would transform lives. He said: "This is a significant investment and a deep commitment to putting women at the heart of healthcare. Women and girls – of all ages, places, income and education – must have access to high quality, voluntary family planning care and information. We thank the UK Government for their commitment to this vital issue. Together, we can accelerate change by expanding integrated healthcare through our clinics and outreach services. More services, wider contraceptive options and better access to safe abortion, means the right care at the right time. More power for every girl and woman to decide what to do with her body, with her life, and with her future." The WISH programme will scale up efforts at country level, expanding reach to millions of new users of sexual and reproductive health services. Genet Mengistu, the Executive Director of the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE), an IPPF member, said: "This is an incredible opportunity to accelerate change for women and girls to decide their own futures. It will get family planning services to Ethiopian women, particularly to those underserved." Simon Cooke, CEO at MSI, said: "Through this funding, we and our partners will be able to bring quality sexual and reproductive health services to millions of women in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities. For many, it will be their first chance to access any kind of contraception, empowering them to stay in education, forge a career, stay healthy and pursue their hopes and dreams for the future.   With this landmark investment in women and girls, the UK Government is creating the right conditions to drive multiple other areas of development, from increasing the number of girls completing education to enabling couples and families in poverty to maximise their earning potential. We applaud DFID for its continued support for this vital and life-changing work." The £200 million investment to leading sexual and reproductive health service providers IPPF and MSI is made-up of two individual DFID WISH awards, through consortium arrangements. Lot 1 is a consortium managed by MSI with 7 of its country programmes and 6 IPPF Member Associations, with a focus on West and Central Africa. Lot 2 is a consortium managed by IPPF with 16 Member Associations and 8 MSI country programmes with a focus on East and Southern Africa and Asia.

WISH Family Planning
news_item

| 13 November 2018

New flagship health programme to transform the lives of millions of women and girls

The lives of millions of women and girls will be transformed by new sexual and reproductive healthcare programmes led by International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Marie Stopes International (MSI) consortia across Africa and South Asia. The programmes will launch integrated healthcare expansion in 27 countries and were announced in Kigali at the International Conference on Family Planning today. The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), to deliver access to life-saving contraception for six million couples per year. The Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt said: "Investing in family planning gives women control over their own bodies and lives. It helps them complete their education, pursue job opportunities and challenge inequality around the world." The new programme will accelerate progress towards meeting global commitments on expanding access to contraception made by governments and civil society organisations through the Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) movement. The IPPF and MSI WISH consortia will ensure previously unreached people, especially young and poorer women, are able to access contraception and have the choice on whether, when and how often to have children. IPPF’s Director General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said the WISH programme would transform lives. He said: "This is a significant investment and a deep commitment to putting women at the heart of healthcare. Women and girls – of all ages, places, income and education – must have access to high quality, voluntary family planning care and information. We thank the UK Government for their commitment to this vital issue. Together, we can accelerate change by expanding integrated healthcare through our clinics and outreach services. More services, wider contraceptive options and better access to safe abortion, means the right care at the right time. More power for every girl and woman to decide what to do with her body, with her life, and with her future." The WISH programme will scale up efforts at country level, expanding reach to millions of new users of sexual and reproductive health services. Genet Mengistu, the Executive Director of the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE), an IPPF member, said: "This is an incredible opportunity to accelerate change for women and girls to decide their own futures. It will get family planning services to Ethiopian women, particularly to those underserved." Simon Cooke, CEO at MSI, said: "Through this funding, we and our partners will be able to bring quality sexual and reproductive health services to millions of women in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities. For many, it will be their first chance to access any kind of contraception, empowering them to stay in education, forge a career, stay healthy and pursue their hopes and dreams for the future.   With this landmark investment in women and girls, the UK Government is creating the right conditions to drive multiple other areas of development, from increasing the number of girls completing education to enabling couples and families in poverty to maximise their earning potential. We applaud DFID for its continued support for this vital and life-changing work." The £200 million investment to leading sexual and reproductive health service providers IPPF and MSI is made-up of two individual DFID WISH awards, through consortium arrangements. Lot 1 is a consortium managed by MSI with 7 of its country programmes and 6 IPPF Member Associations, with a focus on West and Central Africa. Lot 2 is a consortium managed by IPPF with 16 Member Associations and 8 MSI country programmes with a focus on East and Southern Africa and Asia.

United Nations
news item

| 01 November 2018

IPPF welcomes UN Human Rights Committee assertion on access to safe abortion

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has welcomed the adoption by the UN Human Rights Committee of a General Comment on the “Right to Life” and the recognition of the unequivocal and inalienable right of a pregnant woman or girl to life. IPPF Director of Advocacy, Anamaria Bejar said:  “IPPF calls on States to revise their laws, removing barriers to ensure access to safe and legal abortion for all women and girls. Currently 25 million abortions a year are unsafe. The General Comment on the “Right to Life” is clear, States must comply with their duty to ensure that women and girls are not forced to undertake unsafe abortions.    We know it is wrong for any woman to be coerced through a full pregnancy against her wishes. The Committee’s assertion provides the legal framework to access to safe abortion care as a human right.” IPPF has also echoed the Committee’s urge for Governments to ensure access to comprehensive sexuality education and a wide range of affordable contraceptive methods for all, as well as to quality prenatal and post-abortion health care for women and girls in all circumstances and on a confidential basis.  And it has endorsed the Human Rights Committee’s call for States to guarantee that the right to life must be respected and ensured without distinction of any kind, with special measures to protect persons in situations of vulnerability, including the LGBTQI+.  The General Comment also reaffirms the fundamental principle that human rights apply only after birth. IPPF worked alongside UN member states and other non-government organizations from different backgrounds during a three-year process to uphold our international human rights standards to prevent maternal mortality, guarantee women and girls’ rights to bodily autonomy and privacy, and that access to abortion is protected under international human rights law. 

United Nations
news_item

| 01 November 2018

IPPF welcomes UN Human Rights Committee assertion on access to safe abortion

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has welcomed the adoption by the UN Human Rights Committee of a General Comment on the “Right to Life” and the recognition of the unequivocal and inalienable right of a pregnant woman or girl to life. IPPF Director of Advocacy, Anamaria Bejar said:  “IPPF calls on States to revise their laws, removing barriers to ensure access to safe and legal abortion for all women and girls. Currently 25 million abortions a year are unsafe. The General Comment on the “Right to Life” is clear, States must comply with their duty to ensure that women and girls are not forced to undertake unsafe abortions.    We know it is wrong for any woman to be coerced through a full pregnancy against her wishes. The Committee’s assertion provides the legal framework to access to safe abortion care as a human right.” IPPF has also echoed the Committee’s urge for Governments to ensure access to comprehensive sexuality education and a wide range of affordable contraceptive methods for all, as well as to quality prenatal and post-abortion health care for women and girls in all circumstances and on a confidential basis.  And it has endorsed the Human Rights Committee’s call for States to guarantee that the right to life must be respected and ensured without distinction of any kind, with special measures to protect persons in situations of vulnerability, including the LGBTQI+.  The General Comment also reaffirms the fundamental principle that human rights apply only after birth. IPPF worked alongside UN member states and other non-government organizations from different backgrounds during a three-year process to uphold our international human rights standards to prevent maternal mortality, guarantee women and girls’ rights to bodily autonomy and privacy, and that access to abortion is protected under international human rights law. 

SAAF volunteer - Uganda
news item

| 28 September 2018

Radical scale up of medical abortion needed globally urges new IPPF report

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) today launched a new report on global medical abortion access as an urgent call to action. The Her in Charge report presses governments, health, academic and NGO sectors to take immediate steps to stop women from dying and suffering disabilities due to an unsafe abortion by radically scaling up medical abortion efforts. Nearly one in every two abortions that occur is unsafe – 25 million women each year are forced to find their own, often dangerous, solutions to an unintended pregnancy. The knowledge, the technology, and the experience to make all abortions safe abortions exist. Yet tens of millions of women each year still lack access to completely safe abortions. Medical abortion – the use of the medicines misoprostol alone or in combination with mifepristone to opt out of a pregnancy – is safe, cheap and simple to administer. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF Director General said: “Medical abortion is not new, but its full potential has not been reached due to the lack of action and prioritisation by governments, donors, medical professionals and private and civil society health providers. The fact we’ve had this technology for so long but is still not as accessible, is a global tragedy.   The report shows that medical abortion has the potential to revolutionise the delivery of safe abortion globally. Without medical abortion, women are denied proper care.They should not be forced to take risks with their health. For all abortions to be a safe abortion, action is needed now”. IPPF’s Her In Charge report demonstrates how medical abortion access can exponentially increase access to safe abortion, enabling women to be in charge about the decisions about their bodies. An essential part of women’s rights.  Medical abortion facilitates task-sharing, which is transformational in low-resource settings where primary-care level and lay workers are trained and equipped to administer abortion.   Key recommendations: Governments should create a supportive environment to ensure women can access safe and legal abortion, including the political, social, economic, health and legal frameworks.   Medical abortion should be embedded in health systems. Governments can ensure the quality, availability and affordability of medical abortion drugs by registering misoprostol and mifepristone in the list of essential medicines of their countries.   Women must be supported by health systems in accessing the information they need to have a medical abortion safely and to access post-abortion care. This includes medical abortion without medical supervision. Health systems should include self-administered medical abortion. Women must have full information about medical abortion risks factors, dosage and have access to post-abortion care and contraception.   Women must have all options available to them: either medical or surgical abortion, in a health facility or at home – whatever they prefer. It is their right.   The full report can be found here. More information on the 'I decide' campaign can be found here.

SAAF volunteer - Uganda
news_item

| 28 September 2018

Radical scale up of medical abortion needed globally urges new IPPF report

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) today launched a new report on global medical abortion access as an urgent call to action. The Her in Charge report presses governments, health, academic and NGO sectors to take immediate steps to stop women from dying and suffering disabilities due to an unsafe abortion by radically scaling up medical abortion efforts. Nearly one in every two abortions that occur is unsafe – 25 million women each year are forced to find their own, often dangerous, solutions to an unintended pregnancy. The knowledge, the technology, and the experience to make all abortions safe abortions exist. Yet tens of millions of women each year still lack access to completely safe abortions. Medical abortion – the use of the medicines misoprostol alone or in combination with mifepristone to opt out of a pregnancy – is safe, cheap and simple to administer. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF Director General said: “Medical abortion is not new, but its full potential has not been reached due to the lack of action and prioritisation by governments, donors, medical professionals and private and civil society health providers. The fact we’ve had this technology for so long but is still not as accessible, is a global tragedy.   The report shows that medical abortion has the potential to revolutionise the delivery of safe abortion globally. Without medical abortion, women are denied proper care.They should not be forced to take risks with their health. For all abortions to be a safe abortion, action is needed now”. IPPF’s Her In Charge report demonstrates how medical abortion access can exponentially increase access to safe abortion, enabling women to be in charge about the decisions about their bodies. An essential part of women’s rights.  Medical abortion facilitates task-sharing, which is transformational in low-resource settings where primary-care level and lay workers are trained and equipped to administer abortion.   Key recommendations: Governments should create a supportive environment to ensure women can access safe and legal abortion, including the political, social, economic, health and legal frameworks.   Medical abortion should be embedded in health systems. Governments can ensure the quality, availability and affordability of medical abortion drugs by registering misoprostol and mifepristone in the list of essential medicines of their countries.   Women must be supported by health systems in accessing the information they need to have a medical abortion safely and to access post-abortion care. This includes medical abortion without medical supervision. Health systems should include self-administered medical abortion. Women must have full information about medical abortion risks factors, dosage and have access to post-abortion care and contraception.   Women must have all options available to them: either medical or surgical abortion, in a health facility or at home – whatever they prefer. It is their right.   The full report can be found here. More information on the 'I decide' campaign can be found here.