Tewodros Melesse, IPPF Director General, has responded to the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election. Mr Melesse said: “IPPF fights for the rights of women and girls, everywhere. As a Federation we will stand together and raise our voices even louder. We support our friends at Planned Parenthood in their determination to offer health care to millions of American women and ensure that access to abortion remains safe and legal. “The US is a global leader on family planning and the biggest donor in the world, through the work of USAID. That is a proud record, stretching back 55 years. Any dollar cut from US international family planning and reproductive health programs affects the lives of some of the poorest women and children around the world.”   “IPPF calls on President-elect Donald Trump to respect the fight for women’s rights and reproductive health and rights, nationally and globally.” “At one point in the campaign, President-elect Trump said that no-one had more respect for women than him. We very much hope that he will honor that by upholding a woman's right to safe and legal abortion and through his support for America’s international programs which aim to give millions of women around the world a better life.”

Another dangerous tropical cyclone has emerged in the Pacific Ocean. The Typhoon Haima hit the northern part of the Philippines and considering the strength of the storm this cyclone will have had a high humanitarian impact.   Please make a donation now. As of reporting time, a total of 18,157 families (90,589 individuals) were evacuated. Initial reports from the Cordillera Region show that 113 houses were damaged. With the strength and extent of the destruction, it is most likely that health and birthing facilities and schools were severely affected. In the rush to provide shelter and food in a crisis, the health and protection needs of pregnant women and young families are often overlooked. When the Typhoon struck approximately one in five women will have been pregnant.  Without access to the right health care, we expect 20 per cent of them will incur complications during the delivery. Your donation will help us save lives.  Having established partnerships in 170 countries, IPPF is one of the first responders when a crisis occurs. Helping the hardest-to-reach areas, particularly women and girls, we are often the only health providers there. The International Planned Parenthood Federation, working through the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP), is responding to this crisis. We have worked together since 1969 and in recent years we have saved countless lives following Typhoon Haikui, Bopha, Trami and Haiyan. FPOP is working closely with the local government and international relief agencies to ensure that no women or her family is left behind and put at risk during this crisis. Nandy Senoc, FPOP’s Executive Director said “While we don’t yet know the full extent to the devastation, we are mobilizing our health workers and volunteers, to provide lifesaving services. As a volunteer organization, we are there before, during and after the crisis strikes. We are ready to respond now. For many women and girls in these affected areas, access to our essential health and protection services could mean the difference between life and death. I would like to thank you for supporting IPPF’s work and for standing by women and girls during difficult times like this. Your generosity today will help us support more women and girls as this crisis unfolds." With your support we reach over 2.2 million clients in crisis settings annually in all corners of the world.

A petition has been launched calling for the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to tackle a looming global contraceptive crisis which threatens to put the health and well-being of thousands of women at risk. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), in collaboration with the Reproductive Health Services Coalition (RHSC), PAI and Marie Stopes International (MSI), has launched a digital advertising campaign in the online version of Guardian Newspaper today calling for urgent action to be taken. .@Bankimoon_amdg tell world leaders to keep their promises to women. https://t.co/nhY2Iu8pUs #FPCrisis #WCD2016 pic.twitter.com/BXQOK1PaAg — PAI (@pai_org) September 19, 2016 The availability of contraceptives relies largely on funding from donor countries. As donors are falling short on their promises, it is leading to a crisis in getting contraceptives into the countries that need them most. UNFPA is the only agency equipped to provide sexual and reproductive health care to women and girls in conflicts and emergencies and UNFPA Supplies provides approximately 40% of donated commodities to low and middle income countries. Indications show that there is a funding gap of around $273 billion between now and 2020. Projections show that by 2020, 397 million women will be using modern methods of contraception throughout more than 130 developing countries. If the funding gap is not closed, the needs of these women will not be met. At the same time, most developing country governments have not made sufficient investments in contraceptives to fill the gap and meet the needs of women. Access to contraception is transformative for women and communities. It is linked to greater gender equality, educational attainment and even economic development. Every $1 invested in sexual and reproductive health and unmet need for family planning has the potential to save $120 in other areas. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without sustained investment in reproductive health supplies, as a reduction in unintended pregnancy is critical to health, wealth and wellbeing. And, a failure to meet the contraceptive needs of women has the potential to derail progress already made. The petition calls for the Ban Ki-Moon to highlight the centrality of contraceptives to achieving the sustainable development goals. It calls for global leaders and donors must prioritise funding for contraceptives and the systems that deliver them on the global agenda. Please sign the petition. The home page for the campaign is here.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has joined forces with Keira Knightley, Annie Lennox and a string of other celebrities and humanitarian organisations to call on the new International Development Secretary to lead the global fight for gender equality. About 40 individuals and charities have written to Priti Patel urging her to show strong leadership, adding that progress towards achieving women’s rights is too slow and under-funded. . The letter says it’s now time ‘to tackle the unacceptable discrimination and injustices women and girls continue to face on a daily basis’. Today @marthalanefox, @lovegwendoline + 38 more ask @patel4witham to invest in #fearless grassroots women’s groups: https://t.co/yDMWmL4YDd — ActionAid UK (@ActionAidUK) 12 August 2016 The issues facing women and girls, it says, range from the gender pay gap to online abuse, sexual violence in conflict, and girls’ lack of access to education - gender inequality continues to be a major barrier and affects women and girls everywhere.   Statistics show that one in three women will face violence in their lifetime, nearly two thirds of the world’s illiterate adults are women, and that fewer than four per cent of the world’s leading corporations have female CEOs.  We stand with other #womensrights supporters in this letter to @patel4witham https://t.co/7h2RNNl793 #fearless pic.twitter.com/UHlXyih0Qm — Womankind Worldwide (@woman_kind) 12 August 2016 Despite the problems facing women and girls it is an area that misses out on investment. An independent report found recently that funding women's rights organisations is a "neglected" area in Dfid (the Department for International Development) spending.  The letter says: “While there is no quick fix for achieving gender equality, we know that challenging social norms and prioritising women’s voice and leadership are vital. There is also broad consensus that one of the linchpins of realising long-term, transformative change for women and girls is a strong, vibrant and sustainable women’s rights movement, which remains chronically under-funded.”  The letter calls for Ms Patel to invest further in grassroots organisations that support women around the world. It says: “Across the world, women’s rights organisations are at the forefront of providing services to survivors of gender-based violence; ensuring women and girls’ participation at every level; holding their national governments to account for their policies and practices. Without them it will not be possible to keep the promises of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).”  In July Ms Patel publicly committed to keeping the Government's promises to the world’s poor, which was included in the 2015 poverty reduction targets (the SDGs). The signatories of the letter include ActionAid UK, Annie Lennox, Anoushka Shankar,Barbara Broccoli, Care International UK, Caroline Criado-Perez, Christian Aid, Emma Thompson, Felicity Jones, FORWARD, Gwendoline Christie, Imelda Staunton, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Jane Wellesley, Jodie Whittaker, Keira Knightley, Laura Marling, Leith Clark, Livia Firth, Martha Lane Fox, Maryam D’Abo, Naomie Harris, National Alliance of Women’s Organisations (NAWO), Oxfam GB, Paloma Faith, Plan International UK, Progressio, Sarah Waters, Shami Chakrabarti, Stars Foundation, Sophie Walker, Thandie Newton, The Circle, Vanessa Redgrave, WEN Wales, White Ribbon Alliance, Widows for Peace through Democracy (WPD), Womankind Worldwide and Women’s Equality Party. A story about the letter was published in the Daily Telegraph which can be read here: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/12/keira-knightley-and-vanessa-redgrave-call-on-priti-patel-to-lead/                                               

Global #DontShareZika campaign launched to spread the message with an educational video and condom giveaway.  As the global focus shifts to Brazil, the world’s leading sexual wellbeing brand Durex and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) have joined forces to launch #DontShareZika, a global campaign to raise awareness of the Zika virus, educate about its status as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and provide direct support by handing out millions of free condoms. We're working with @ippf to help stop the spread of #Zika. Want to help? Share this, but #DontShareZika… pic.twitter.com/hdhx51sEi2 — Durex Global (@durex) August 5, 2016 The move follows the update by the World Health Organization (WHO), confirming that in addition to being spread by infected mosquitoes, Zika* can also be transmitted sexually. This means that everyone - including people in a monogamous relationship - may be at risk from the STI if they, or their partner, have visited an affected area and been bitten by an infected mosquito. As an STI, the Zika virus has the potential to travel and spread between people who may not even realise they are infected. In response, Durex have created the #DontShareZika video to educate that the Zika virus can be passed between couples during unprotected sex, and committed to a giveaway of three million free condoms in Brazil. WHO recommends that men and women returning from an area where Zika is circulating should practice safer sex, including through the correct and consistent use of condoms, for at least eight weeks after leaving an affected area, even if they don’t have symptoms. At a time when Brazil is expecting as many as a million extra visitors from across the globe, the #DontShareZika campaign aims to spread this important message as widely as possible to limit the risk of further infections. #DontShareZika follows recent work by Durex lobbying for the world’s first safe sex emoji** designed to help young people discuss safe sex. Both initiatives are part of Durex’s continuous efforts for better sexual health and education globally. “As the world’s number one sexual wellbeing brand we have a responsibility to make people aware of this STI, to help people to stay healthy and to prevent the sexual transmission of the virus.” commented the Global Director ofRB the brand, Volker Sydow. IPPF Director General Tewodros Melesse, added; “Our aim is to ensure all people have access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. At the moment, many people still don’t realise that Zika can be transmitted sexually. Communicating this and enabling people to protect themselves and their partners is critical, so we welcome #DontShareZika and Durex’s free condom giveaway in Brazil.” Durex are calling for people to support the campaign and help share a message of protection and prevention faster than this STI, Zika, can be spread, by sharing the informative video and using the hashtag #DontShareZika. Follow @Durex for more information. For more information on the Zika virus visit: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/. -ENDS- For further information please contact Amy Williams: [email protected]/ 0207 292 5084 or Toby Leston: [email protected]/ 0207 2929 6451 Notes to Editors * Zika virus is linked to microcephaly - a condition where babies are born with brain damage and undeveloped heads. ** www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7iKgKpkWfU About Durex Durex® is the #1 sexual wellbeing brand worldwide. The brand not only produces condoms that exceeds global testing standards, but also offers pleasure gels, lubricants and personal massagers. With over 80 years of experience in the bedroom, Durex is dedicated to inspiring lovers to love sex safely. That is why Durex will never stop innovating with new products that enhance the sexual experience, helping couples get closer and go further together. For more information, go to www.Durex.com. About RB* RB is the world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company. The company has operations in over 60 countries, with headquarters in London, Dubai and Amsterdam, and sales in most countries across the globe. The company employs approximately c. 37,000 people worldwide. Inspired by a purpose to deliver innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes, RB is in the top 20 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. We are the global No 1or No 2 in the majority of our fast-growing categories, driven by an exceptional focus on innovation. Our health, hygiene and home portfolio is led by our global Powerbrands including Nurofen, Strepsils Gaviscon, Mucinex, Durex, Scholl, Clearasil, Lysol, Dettol, Veet, Harpic, Cillit Bang, Mortein, Finish, Vanish, Calgon, Air Wick, Woolite and French’s. Our Powerbrands represent 80% of net revenue. RB is redefining the world of consumer health and hygiene. Our people and unique culture are at the heart of our success. We have a drive for achievement and a passion to outperform wherever we focus, including sustainability where we are targeting a 1/3 reduction in water impact, 1/3 reduction in carbon and 1/3 of net revenue from more sustainable products. We are proud to be Save the Children’s largest global partner, with a new vision to radically reduce one the world’s largest killer of under 5s, diarrhea. For more information visit www.rb.com. *RB is the trading name of Reckitt Benckiser group of companies About IPPF IPPF delivers sexual and reproductive health services that let people make their own choices. We fight for everyone to have the right to make those choices. We are local, through our members and volunteers, and global, through our network. We meet need, wherever it is, whoever requires it, for as long as they want it.

Aug 2, 2016: New Delhi: Manila: The International Planned Parenthood Federation through its humanitarian wing, the SPRINT Initiative, is providing humanitarian assistance in the conflict-affected areas of Cotabato in the Philippines. The armed conflict between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has lasted for more than five decades and has displaced around a million people in central Mindanao, Philippines. According to reports dated April 2016, the armed conflict has escalated, creating concerns over a protracted crisis and the vulnerability of women and girls. The conflict has internally displaced farmers who are living in the hinterland communities of the province of North Cotabato, namely in the municipalities of Makilala, Magpet, Kabacan and Tulunan. The SPRINT Initiative project will reach out to 25 affected villages or barangays located in geographically isolated and depressed areas, thereby making access to healthcare an extremely rare thing. As per the assessments done by IPPF’s East and South East Asia and Oceania Region office’s (ESEAOR) Member Association, the Family Planning Association of Philippines (FPOP), access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in these villages is very limited. “IPPF-SPRINT and FPOP will coordinate the implementation of this project with (the) UNFPA centre in Mindanao throughout the 4-month period from August to November, 2016. The Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) will be implemented on-the-ground. IPPF-SPRINT will reach out to around 15,000 beneficiaries in the area and will provide crucial and life-saving SRH services. An amount of AUD 50,000 has been mobilised for the response,” said Aditi Ghosh, Director, IPPF-SPRINT. This humanitarian response is being funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Australian government. “FPOP is a part of the UN cluster system, particularly Health and Protection clusters in the national level. FPOP will also coordinate the humanitarian response with UN regional centres covering affected areas. The North Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) will also play a key role in implementing the MISP,” said Nora Murat, Regional Director, IPPF-ESEAOR. IPPF-SPRINT will work on prevention and management of the consequences of sexual violence, reduction of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV transmission, prevention of excess maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, plan for the provision of comprehensive SRH services and integrate into primary health care as the situation permits.   Apart from the above, orientation on MISP and Risk Management for implementing partners and project staff/volunteers will be undertaken.     Contact info: Murali Kunduru: [email protected] Jayamalar Samuel: [email protected] Media Contact: Rhea Chawla: [email protected] www.ippf-sprint.org   The SPRINT Initiative is a Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Programme in Crisis and Post-Crisis Situations. SPRINT ensures access to essential lifesaving SRH services for women, men and children in times of crises, a time when services are most needed yet are not prioritised or recognised by key humanitarian responders.   The SPRINT Initiative saves lives and delivers on behalf of the Australian Government aid program (DFAT: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), which aims to provide more effective preparedness for and response to disasters and crises.   The Initiative is managed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and represents its commitment to increasing access to SRH services for crisis-affected populations. The International Planned Parenthood Federation is a global service provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. It is a worldwide movement of national organisations working with and for communities and individuals.