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Gender equality

Gender equality is a human right. It is also essential for eradicating poverty and improving the lives of future generations. Gender equality is at the heart of all our programming and advocacy work. IPPF pushes for legal and policy reforms which combat female genital mutilation (FGM), early forced marriage and other forms of gender discrimination.

Articles by Gender equality

A group of teenage girls in Palestine

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.

One hand passes a sanitary pad to another
25 May 2021

Period stigma: how it holds back girls and women

We’re sure you know this already, but just in case… sharks won’t attack you if you go swimming on your period, food you touch while menstruating won’t go bad faster, and having sex during your period won’t kill your partner. (These are all actual myths.) While these might seem amusing, myths, misconceptions, and misinformation about periods feed into stigma which can be hugely damaging for many girls, women, and people who menstruate around the world. In part, stigma exacerbates certain cultural beliefs about menstruation. Rather than simply being acknowledged as a natural bodily function, it is considered rude or embarrassing to discuss periods in some communities around the world. While using euphemisms such as "strawberry week" in Austria, "I'm with Chico" in Brazil, and "Granny's stuck in traffic" in South Africa may seem harmless, they reinforce the idea that periods are shameful and something to talk about in code. Holding back women and girls Due to the conversation around menstruation being suppressed, beliefs about people on their periods being unclean are widespread. This often leads to women and girls feeling confined to their homes, being excluded from public spaces, or considered to be bad luck or harmful to others for about a week every month. Devastatingly, this period stigma (along with poverty) has a huge impact on girls' education. For example, across Africa it is estimated that one in 10 girls will miss school when they have their periods, and can miss approximately 10-20% of school days – factors which can lead to them dropping out altogether. This puts them at greater risk of child marriage, and getting pregnant at a younger age, which comes with heightened health risks.  Not receiving a full education and being forced into an early marriage also inevitably usually leads to a reduced capacity to access employment and income generation, a terrible consequence which only serves to hold back women’s life chances. Inadequate bathroom access, both home and away At any given time, approximately 300 million people globally are menstruating. Given that 1 in 4 people do not have an adequate toilet of their own and 11% do not have clean water close to their home, this leaves a significant number of women and girls unable to manage their periods in a hygienic, safe way at home.  The problem is no better outside of the home, as public bathroom facilities (often designed by men) can be unfit for purpose when it comes to women and girls on their periods. Many of us might take for granted the role which public facilities play in going about our day-to-day lives, but not everyone is fortunate enough to experience this ‘luxury’. Without adequately gender-sensitive bathrooms, many people fear being caught out and not able to change their period products (if they even have access to them), meaning they might feel embarrassed about leakages and smells. With this in mind, community planning must recognize the needs of all people in society to be able to access clean, safe facilities.   Period education for all genders  A core challenge in tackling period stigma is that menstrual health education is lacking in many regions of the world. Where it does exist, it often begins later in a young person’s life – sometimes even after girls have begun their first period. The result of not educating girls about menstruation before it starts means that their initial reaction is likely to involve fear, shame and embarrassment. Additionally, poor period education means a lack of knowledge around what menstrual hygiene products are out there. As a result, many women, girls, and people do not have real control over the products they use, and do not have the ability to dispose of or clean these products in an appropriate manner, in line with personal, environmental, cultural, and other considerations.  Some sexual education programmes do not even cover menstrual health, or exclude boys from taking part – losing a key opportunity to tackle period stigma at an early age. For too long, the onus has been placed on women and girls to lead changes on this issue, but men and boys can and should play a role in shifting negative attitudes and secrecy surrounding menstruation.  The consequences of not doing so can be deeply harmful. A troubling misconception, particularly among men, is that the onset of periods signals the start of ‘sexual maturity’, and early marriage can become a consideration. For example in Papua New Guinea, during interviews carried out by IPPF with men about periods, one responded: “When I hear the word menstruation, I know that a girl or woman is bleeding and I know that she is now ready for marriage.” Another said that a girl getting her first period means that “she is grown up and she is able to have sex.” Menstruation without shame, discrimination, or fear So the next time a period myth brings a smile to your face, take a moment to consider the harmful socio-cultural beliefs that go along with it, and the fact that millions of women and girls experience inadequate access to water, sanitation and private hygiene facilities, as well as access to appropriate and affordable period products. Our Member Associations around the world are involved in tackling period stigma every day. From youth groups running open discussions about periods in Mali, to thousands of sanitary pads being distributed across Sri Lanka during the pandemic to those from low income backgrounds, single mothers, and people living with disabilities – our Member Associations are working hard to ensure that all people can experience periods without shame, discrimination, or fear. Which is exactly how it should be. Photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash

A silhouette of a woman and young child in Fiji
15 March 2021

Gender-based violence is shockingly prevalent – but it is also preventable

By Seri Wendoh, IPPF's Global Lead for Gender and Inclusion One in three women globally experience violence across the course of their lives – that’s around 736 million women who suffer physical, mental and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner or non-partner. This figure has remained steady for the past decade, and it’s a frightening insight into how prevalent and embedded violence against women and girls is in our society. Also, intimate partner violence against women starts alarmingly early: almost a quarter of adolescent girls aged 15-19 (24%) has experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner. These figures are all from a recent WHO report, which is the largest ever study on the prevalence of violence against women, covering the period 2000 to 2008. The report’s findings are unacceptable, and they should be concerning for all of us.  Violence against women harms individual human rights, and it is a global health emergency – one that is embedded in so-called ‘societal and cultural norms’. Violence takes many forms including physical, sexual and psychological violence; to list but a few examples, this can be sexual harassment in the workplace or in public, female genital mutilation (FGM), or early forced marriage and the resulting stigma.  The impact of COVID-19 on GBV Women in low and low-middle income countries are disproportionately affected by violence, and this was before the pandemic began. Globally, it’s been reported that there has been a significant increase in violence against women – who, in many cases, were forced to stay at home with their abuser or lacked access to vital healthcare.  A number of surveys undertaken by our COVID-19 Taskforce team amongst our Member Associations (MAs) reveals the heightened levels of intimate partner and domestic violence for those in lockdown with abusers. The surveys further reveal that the inequality in access to information and education has been exacerbated, and how it has disproportionately affected young people.  Gains on the elimination of practices that harm girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) have regressed – including those on sexual violence, forced marriages, and rates of girls dropping out of school. Young people’s access to contraception and safe abortion care, along with antiretroviral and STI treatments, have been hugely affected. There is also increased concern that FGM is being practiced behind the veil of lockdowns, curfews and quarantine. Further, whilst many of our MAs turned to the digitalization of service provision – from online CSE to counselling – digital inequality (i.e. lack of access to phones, computers or the internet) means that adolescent girls in low and low-middle income countries miss out on these health initiatives. We can almost certainly say that women and girls will be most impacted by COVID-19 – undoing years of progress made to advance their rights. They will be left behind if we don’t urgently respond to their needs. We know that women who are subjected to violence are more likely to use health services than those who are not, even if they do not explicitly disclose it to their healthcare provider. Healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to provide first-line support to women affected by violence. This is why it is critical to invest in training frontline staff to provide effective, women-centered services, including referral to specialized services. Women affected by violence have a right to the best possible healthcare.  Violence against women is preventable As the Global Lead for Gender and Inclusion at IPPF, I know violence against women is preventable. The work our incredible MAs do on the ground gives me hope that we can one day see the end of violence against women and girls. In Malawi, our the Family Planning Association of Malawi is doing incredible work on preventing child marriage through community watch groups, made up of community leaders and social workers. Malawi has some of the highest rates of early forced marriage – where it’s estimated that 47% of girls are married by the age of 18. In Palestine, the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association runs sexual violence awareness workshops and is committed to working with local religious leaders and other partners to inform the public on their sexual health and rights.  In India, our MA works to empower women in prisons in preparation for life on the outside. Research undertaken in Mexico by MEXFAM has shown that when teachers are trained in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), there is an increased understanding among students of the need to reduce violence. And in Pakistan, our MA continues to work on prevention of violence in the Swat Valley and many other areas. These are just some examples of the incredible, life-changing work our MAs deliver.  For this work to continue and for gender equality to be finally realized, we call upon policy makers, donors and other key decision-makers to remain committed to funding sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights, to support specialized training for health providers, and to take a multi-sectoral approach in dealing with violence against women and girls, and to invest in comprehensive sexuality education.  Now more than ever, the commitment to women and girls needs to be unwavering – their lives depend on it. 

Fatoumata Yehiya Maiga

"The movement helps girls to know their rights and their bodies"

My name is Fatoumata Yehiya Maiga. I’m 23-years-old, and I’m an IT specialist. I joined the Youth Action Movement at the end of 2018. The head of the movement in Mali is a friend of mine, and I met her before I knew she was the president. She invited me to their events and over time persuaded me to join. I watched them raising awareness about sexual and reproductive health, using sketches and speeches. I learnt a lot. Overcoming taboos I went home and talked about what I had seen and learnt with my family. In Africa, and even more so in the village where I come from in Gao, northern Mali, people don’t talk about these things. I wanted to take my sisters to the events, but every time I spoke about them my relatives would just say it was to teach girls to have sex, and that it’s taboo. That’s not what I believe. I think the movement helps girls, most of all, to know their sexual rights, their bodies, what to do and what not to do to stay healthy and safe. They don’t understand this concept. My family would say it was just a smokescreen to convince girls to get involved in something dirty.  I have had to tell my younger cousins about their periods, for example, when they came from the village to live in the city. One of my cousins was so scared, and told me she was bleeding from her vagina and didn’t know why. We talk about managing periods in the Youth Action Movement, as well as how to manage cramps and feel better. The devastating impact of FGM But there was a much more important reason for me to join the movement. My parents are educated, so me and my sisters were never cut. I learned about female genital mutilation at a conference I attended in 2016. I didn’t know that there were different types of severity and ways that girls could be cut. I hadn’t understood quite how dangerous this practice is. Then, two years ago, I lost my friend Aïssata. She got married young, at 17. She struggled to conceive until she was 23. The day she gave birth, there were complications and she died. The doctors said that the excision was botched and that’s what killed her. From that day on, I decided I needed to teach all the girls in my community about how harmful this practice is for their health. I was so horrified by the way she died. Normally, girls in Mali are cut when they are three or four years old, though for some it’s done at birth. When they are older and get pregnant, I know they face the same challenges as every woman does giving birth, but they also live with the dangerous consequences of this unhealthy practice.  The importance of talking openly  The problem lies with the families. I want us, as a movement, to talk with the parents and explain to them how they can contribute to their children’s sexual health. I wish it were no longer a taboo between parents and their girls. But if we talk in such direct terms, they only see disobedience, and say that we are encouraging promiscuity. We need to talk to teenagers because they are already parents in many cases. They are the ones who decide to go through with cutting their daughters, or not. A lot of Mali is hard to reach though. We need travelling groups to go to those isolated rural areas and talk to people about sexual health. Pregnancy is the girl’s decision, and girls have a right to be healthy, and to choose their future.

An illustration of a woman being harassed at work
24 November 2020

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2020

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign which runs annually from 25 November (International Day Against Violence Against Women), to December 10 (International Human Rights Day). This campaign matters because one woman in three around the world has experienced physical or sexual violence, and one in two women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or families. More than 700 million women alive today were married as children, significantly increasing their risk of exposure to sexual and gender-based violence. If we don’t collectively take action, we will never break this unconscionable cycle of violence.  This year, we are putting the spotlight on the links between gender-based violence and the world of work. This could mean the violence and harassment women face while working, or on their way to/from work, or the harm they face at home which has an impact on their working lives. It is vital that we focus on this because: between 40-50% of women experience unwanted sexual advances, physical contact or other forms of sexual harassment at work  nearly a third of economies had no specific legal provisions covering sexual harassment at work, according to a 2018 study many women are forced to take time off work because of domestic abuse, and some lose their jobs as a direct result of it women who are exposed to intimate partner violence are employed in higher numbers in informal sectors, meaning lower earnings and less stability unemployment and economic insecurity are key risk factors for gender-based violence, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19. In 2019, the International Labour Organization (ILO) established new global standards aimed at tackling gender-based violence in the workplace. Violence and harassment in the world of work deprives people of their dignity, is incompatible with decent work, and a threat to equal opportunities and to safe, healthy, and productive working environments.  IPPF encourages the ratification and implementation of the ILO’s Convention No. 190 and Recommendation No. 206, which recognizes the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. You can play a part by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for engaging daily updates marking 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence throughout the campaign period, and sharing our information with your friends and family.

LGBTI flag

IPPF's new project sets to change discriminatory laws related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in 12 countries

IPPF arranged the first meeting of the project group that is tasked to develop IPPF policy and advocacy work on SOGIE issues in Nairobi in November 2019. IPPF has chosen 12 member associations (MAs), two from each IPPF region, for this important work.  Participants shared their countries’ political situation and discussed possibilities and strategies for changing restrictive laws and regulations.  The participants feedback expressed that they were inspired by the range of advocacy experiences and ideas, the creative solutions to reformulate challenges to opportunities and the wins already achieved.  The world has recently seen improvements in SOGIE rights but still around 70 out of 190 countries have criminalizing legislations. Processes of decriminalization using the judicial system was a main discussion. Participants from MAs in India, Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago described how this had been a successful strategy in their countries and what the role of a non LGBTI health and human rights organisation could be. Examples were shared on how to cooperate with LGBTI organisations, including hosting and help initiate them in their formative stages. Some of our member organisations described the success of building and strengthening partner networks over time to enable the building of skills and confidence.  The participants also spent time discussing how to ensure institutional strengthening of their organisations ensuring the SOGIE knowledge and competence when carrying out advocacy. Making use of interns and ensuring this competence in the governing boards were among examples given. International human rights mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review are advocacy opportunities where the organisations are participating through writing shadow reports and reporting the situation on the ground. In addition, there were presentations of how to address public opinion (this film from Romania can be used as an example) and raise awareness of changes that are needed, as well as how to build movements and the importance for collecting evidence and data.  All these efforts require funding, thus the participants made advocacy plans that can be used when applying for support. The advocacy plans were made according to the IPPF strategies and the participants discussed how to make use of the IPPF tools.  At the end the participants watched the upcoming documentary The Art of Sin about the first gay man from Sudan to come out, by Ibrahim Mursal (co-produced by Sex og Politikk, IPPF’s MA in Norway). The film follows the artist Ahmed Umar as he comes out and explores his identity both in Sudan (where death penalty can be imposed on men who have sex with men) and Norway.    List of participants:   The participants came from 12 IPPF member associations (MAs), two from each of the 6 IPPF regions in the world: Tunisia (ATSR), Morocco (AMPF), Botswana (BFWA), Kenya (FHOK), India (FPAI), Sri Lanka (FPASL), Nord-Macedonia (HERA), Romania (SECS), Cambodia (RHAC), Indonesia (PKBI), Guyana (GRPA) and Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) as well as the steering group and the secretariat. The IPPF Steering Committee has one representative from each of IPPF 6 regions: Africa, Arab World, Europe, South East Asia and Oceania, South Asia and Western Hemisphere.  The secretariat of the project is based at IPPF Norway (Sex og Politikk).  

Bulbul from India
22 November 2019

16 Days of Activism: What are we doing to help end gender-based violence?

Once again, we are proud to stand with organizations around the world to mark the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs annually from 25 November to 10 December. Yet, we are obviously disappointed that we need to.  Although anyone can be on the receiving end of gender-based violence (GBV), it disproportionately affects women and girls; one in three women and girls will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and one in two women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or families. Just weeks ago, we were horrified to learn that our FP2020 colleague Jennifer Schlecht had been brutally murdered by her own partner, along with their young daughter.  Violence towards women and girls remains shockingly common, but IPPF and our Member Associations will not be deterred from taking every possible action to tackle it. As such, in 2018 we delivered 3.9 million sexual and GBV services – an increase of 15% from the previous year. These services focus on building resilience and empowering people, through access to appropriate and sensitive health services, education and counselling to support them through their experiences. Below are a few examples of how we have sought to achieve that since last year’s 16 Days of Activism: Caring for survivors of sexual violence during conflict and crisis Earlier this year, we highlighted the need to ensure care for women and girls who survive violence during conflict or humanitarian crises. Lacking the usual protective measures such as the family unit or home, they become more vulnerable to sexual violence, and in fact it can be more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in armed conflict. Learn more about what we had to say about supporting women and girls with their SRHR needs throughout a crisis.  Empowering women and girls in India The Family Planning Association of India empowers women and girls like Bulbul – who had been abused by her father-in-law – to become financially independent and aware of their rights. Watch her story:  Palestine: From experiencing violence to tackling it Fatima, a midwife for the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Agency (PFPPA), had been enduring a violent marriage, but through her work with the PFPPA she soon realized she didn’t have to put up with it – and she now helps others in similar situations. Fatima says one of her proudest moments has been working with a young man who had been violent towards his sister as he thought it was acceptable to treat women in this way, but was now being trained as a peer educator to help others understand gender equality better. Read Fatima’s story in full.  Breaking the cycle of GBV in South Asia #StartsWithYou IPPF’s colleagues in South Asia have launched #StartsWithYou, a unique campaign to encourage everyone to take an active role in taking a stand against GBV, using a variety of methods. From challenging sexist jokes and teaching children about inappropriate behaviour, to supporting a GBV survivor through legal processes, there are many ways to get involved. What role could you play?  Through this vital work and much more, we hope that one day we never have to mark 16 Days of Activism ever again. Until then, we will do everything we can to eliminate gender-based violence. Are you with us?

Bebia from Mozambique (Photo by: IPPF/Isabel Corthier)

IPPF unveils commitments at Nairobi Summit to transform lives of women, girls & marginalized groups

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has marked the start of the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 by unveiling ambitious new commitments to drive forward gains in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). On the first day of the Summit, IPPF Director General Dr Alvaro Bermejo revealed four new key pledges covering comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), abortion care, the fight against discriminatory laws covering sexual identity and gender expression, and South to South cooperation between IPPF national Member Associations. Dr Bermejo told global and national leaders gathered to mark 25 years since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) that all participants at the Summit needed to recommit to transforming the lives of women and girls. He said: “179 national governments signed up to the ICPD Programme of Action in Cairo 25 years ago. But signing is one thing, implementing another. It’s still about translating commitments on paper into action; action to transform the lives of women and girls and marginalised groups. This has to be a priority.     This Summit is needed because although Cairo was a monumental achievement, the years since have not fulfilled its promise.   Twenty-five years ago, it felt like the tide of progress was flowing only one way. Authoritarianism was in retreat, or maybe even defeated. It doesn’t feel like that now. This conference is hugely important for SRHR. IPPF will be influencing governments to announce national commitments to re-endorse ICPD and make sure it become a reality, and changes women’s and girls’ lives for the better.   And we are proud to make our own renewed commitments today. The ICPD Programme of Action continues to guide the work of IPPF Member Associations in every part of the world where we serve a woman, a girl or a young person and support their sexual and reproductive freedom.” Dr Bermejo unveiled four new commitments: (i)    By 2025 IPPF, together with Rutgers, its national Member Association in the Netherlands, will:  Provide 12 million young people in 30 focus countries with a specific focus on Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America/the Caribbean with comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), in and out of schools, through evidence-based approaches including innovative and digital ones. Influence governments of 42 countries to establish new or revised policy initiatives and/or legislative changes to include CSE into curricula of formal education programs or programs for out-of-school adolescents. Jointly establish at least three Centers of Excellence in priority regions to work in youth-centered programming and CSE and to build local capacity to deliver high-quality integrated gender and rights-based CSE. (ii)    By 2022, IPPF will:   Accelerate universal access to safe abortion by expanding the provision of quality and women-centered comprehensive abortion care, with a focus on implementing innovative strategies to reach underserved populations; providing support to women to self-manage medical abortion and improving access to and availability of medical abortion commodities. Champion reproductive freedom and stand firm against reproductive coercion by advocating for safe and legal abortion, and by defeating obstacles that undermine women’s reproductive autonomy. We will influence 20 governments to establish new or revised policy initiatives or to pass legislative changes in support of improved access to abortion. (iii)    IPPF commits to increase South-to-South triangular cooperation by establishing at least seven Centers of Excellence to accelerate cross-Federation learning and fostering a Member Association centric approach, in areas such as comprehensive sexuality education, sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian settings, supporting social movements, and enhancing female leadership by 2022. (iv)    IPPF and many of its Member Associations are fighting discriminatory laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We commit to supporting each other and engaging with partners to ensure at least six countries change these laws by 2025.

Indian woman standing with arms crossed
07 November 2019

ICPD 25 years later: How did the historic conference impact sexual and reproductive health & rights?

This year marks the 25th anniversary of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) – a defining moment for sexual and reproductive health and rights. What is ICPD? 25 years ago in Cairo, Egypt, 179 governments came together and adopted a radical and revolutionary Programme of Action (PoA) on women’s reproductive health and rights.  The PoA realized and affirmed that women’s reproductive health and rights was intertwined with the advancement of women’s rights as a whole and would be a tool to help achieve gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. What has happened since ICPD? Though significant global investment has been made in sexual and reproductive health and some outcomes on women’s health have been improved, this is not enough. We are still falling dangerously short of achieving the promises laid out 25 years ago in Cairo.  Today, on average:  830 women die giving birth 33,000 girls will be forced into child marriage 11,000 girls will forcibly undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) 25 million women are forced to turn to unsafe abortion methods every year  Globally, 232 million women who want to prevent pregnancy do not have access to modern contraception.  What next for ICPD and gender equality? Next week, governments, civil society, the private sector, community leaders and other stakeholders will meet to accelerate the promises made in Cairo. New national commitments will be announced by governments to translate international and regional ones into urgent action in line with the Agenda 2030. The renewed energy and commitment to the PoA will bring to reality the human rights for all to access quality, affordable and inclusive sexual and reproductive healthcare – which in turn will contribute to the advancement of a fairer and just society for women and girls especially.  IPPF commitments at ICPD+25 By 2025 IPPF, together with Rutgers, its national Member Association in the Netherlands, will:  Provide 12 million young people in 30 focus countries with a specific focus on Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America/the Caribbean with comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), in and out of schools, through evidence-based approaches including innovative and digital ones. Influence governments of 42 countries to establish new or revised policy initiatives and/or legislative changes to include CSE into curricula of formal education programs or programs for out-of-school adolescents. Jointly establish at least three Centers of Excellence in priority regions to work in youth-centered programming and CSE and to build local capacity to deliver high-quality integrated gender and rights-based CSE.  By 2022, IPPF will:   Accelerate universal access to safe abortion by expanding the provision of quality and women-centered comprehensive abortion care, with a focus on implementing innovative strategies to reach underserved populations; providing support to women to self-manage medical abortion and improving access to and availability of medical abortion commodities. Champion reproductive freedom and stand firm against reproductive coercion by advocating for safe and legal abortion, and by defeating obstacles that undermine women’s reproductive autonomy. We will influence 20 governments to establish new or revised policy initiatives or to pass legislative changes in support of improved access to abortion. IPPF commits to increase South-to-South triangular cooperation by establishing at least seven Centers of Excellence to accelerate cross-Federation learning and fostering a Member Association centric approach, in areas such as comprehensive sexuality education, sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian settings, supporting social movements, and enhancing female leadership by 2022. IPPF and many of its Member Associations are fighting discriminatory laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We commit to supporting each other and engaging with partners to ensure at least six countries change these laws by 2025. IPPF and civil society all over the world will hold governments to account to make sure promises are fulfilled.

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IPPF responds to latest UK aid pledge made at UNGA

IPPF responds to the new UK aid pledge made at the United Nations General Assembly, to expand access for over 20 million women and girls. Speaking at the high-level event at the United Nations General Assembly, International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said the world cannot achieve universal health coverage without prioritizing universal sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) access for women and girls.  IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “We welcome the UK Government’s leadership at this critical time in significantly stepping up their efforts to expanding access to quality contraceptive supplies and sexual and reproductive healthcare services. This will be transformative for millions of women and girls in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalized communities, especially in humanitarian settings.    The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is working in close partnership with the UK government through the Women’s Integrated Health programme (WISH)  to scale up efforts at country level and expand reach to millions of new users of sexual and reproductive healthcare.  A second IPPF programme supported by DFID looks at the needs of people in complex and challenging settings (ACCESS) to design and test innovative sexual and reproductive health and rights solutions. This is the commitment and leadership that  puts women at the heart of healthcare.    DFID’s continued strong commitment to the UNFPA Supplies programme affirms its role as a global champion of women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health. The UNFPA Supplies programme is an essential mechanism for supporting women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive services and a close partner of IPPF. We look forward to continuing to work with DFID and UNFPA Supplies to make sure every woman and girl can access the healthcare she needs and deserves.”

A group of teenage girls in Palestine

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.

One hand passes a sanitary pad to another
25 May 2021

Period stigma: how it holds back girls and women

We’re sure you know this already, but just in case… sharks won’t attack you if you go swimming on your period, food you touch while menstruating won’t go bad faster, and having sex during your period won’t kill your partner. (These are all actual myths.) While these might seem amusing, myths, misconceptions, and misinformation about periods feed into stigma which can be hugely damaging for many girls, women, and people who menstruate around the world. In part, stigma exacerbates certain cultural beliefs about menstruation. Rather than simply being acknowledged as a natural bodily function, it is considered rude or embarrassing to discuss periods in some communities around the world. While using euphemisms such as "strawberry week" in Austria, "I'm with Chico" in Brazil, and "Granny's stuck in traffic" in South Africa may seem harmless, they reinforce the idea that periods are shameful and something to talk about in code. Holding back women and girls Due to the conversation around menstruation being suppressed, beliefs about people on their periods being unclean are widespread. This often leads to women and girls feeling confined to their homes, being excluded from public spaces, or considered to be bad luck or harmful to others for about a week every month. Devastatingly, this period stigma (along with poverty) has a huge impact on girls' education. For example, across Africa it is estimated that one in 10 girls will miss school when they have their periods, and can miss approximately 10-20% of school days – factors which can lead to them dropping out altogether. This puts them at greater risk of child marriage, and getting pregnant at a younger age, which comes with heightened health risks.  Not receiving a full education and being forced into an early marriage also inevitably usually leads to a reduced capacity to access employment and income generation, a terrible consequence which only serves to hold back women’s life chances. Inadequate bathroom access, both home and away At any given time, approximately 300 million people globally are menstruating. Given that 1 in 4 people do not have an adequate toilet of their own and 11% do not have clean water close to their home, this leaves a significant number of women and girls unable to manage their periods in a hygienic, safe way at home.  The problem is no better outside of the home, as public bathroom facilities (often designed by men) can be unfit for purpose when it comes to women and girls on their periods. Many of us might take for granted the role which public facilities play in going about our day-to-day lives, but not everyone is fortunate enough to experience this ‘luxury’. Without adequately gender-sensitive bathrooms, many people fear being caught out and not able to change their period products (if they even have access to them), meaning they might feel embarrassed about leakages and smells. With this in mind, community planning must recognize the needs of all people in society to be able to access clean, safe facilities.   Period education for all genders  A core challenge in tackling period stigma is that menstrual health education is lacking in many regions of the world. Where it does exist, it often begins later in a young person’s life – sometimes even after girls have begun their first period. The result of not educating girls about menstruation before it starts means that their initial reaction is likely to involve fear, shame and embarrassment. Additionally, poor period education means a lack of knowledge around what menstrual hygiene products are out there. As a result, many women, girls, and people do not have real control over the products they use, and do not have the ability to dispose of or clean these products in an appropriate manner, in line with personal, environmental, cultural, and other considerations.  Some sexual education programmes do not even cover menstrual health, or exclude boys from taking part – losing a key opportunity to tackle period stigma at an early age. For too long, the onus has been placed on women and girls to lead changes on this issue, but men and boys can and should play a role in shifting negative attitudes and secrecy surrounding menstruation.  The consequences of not doing so can be deeply harmful. A troubling misconception, particularly among men, is that the onset of periods signals the start of ‘sexual maturity’, and early marriage can become a consideration. For example in Papua New Guinea, during interviews carried out by IPPF with men about periods, one responded: “When I hear the word menstruation, I know that a girl or woman is bleeding and I know that she is now ready for marriage.” Another said that a girl getting her first period means that “she is grown up and she is able to have sex.” Menstruation without shame, discrimination, or fear So the next time a period myth brings a smile to your face, take a moment to consider the harmful socio-cultural beliefs that go along with it, and the fact that millions of women and girls experience inadequate access to water, sanitation and private hygiene facilities, as well as access to appropriate and affordable period products. Our Member Associations around the world are involved in tackling period stigma every day. From youth groups running open discussions about periods in Mali, to thousands of sanitary pads being distributed across Sri Lanka during the pandemic to those from low income backgrounds, single mothers, and people living with disabilities – our Member Associations are working hard to ensure that all people can experience periods without shame, discrimination, or fear. Which is exactly how it should be. Photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash

A silhouette of a woman and young child in Fiji
15 March 2021

Gender-based violence is shockingly prevalent – but it is also preventable

By Seri Wendoh, IPPF's Global Lead for Gender and Inclusion One in three women globally experience violence across the course of their lives – that’s around 736 million women who suffer physical, mental and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner or non-partner. This figure has remained steady for the past decade, and it’s a frightening insight into how prevalent and embedded violence against women and girls is in our society. Also, intimate partner violence against women starts alarmingly early: almost a quarter of adolescent girls aged 15-19 (24%) has experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner. These figures are all from a recent WHO report, which is the largest ever study on the prevalence of violence against women, covering the period 2000 to 2008. The report’s findings are unacceptable, and they should be concerning for all of us.  Violence against women harms individual human rights, and it is a global health emergency – one that is embedded in so-called ‘societal and cultural norms’. Violence takes many forms including physical, sexual and psychological violence; to list but a few examples, this can be sexual harassment in the workplace or in public, female genital mutilation (FGM), or early forced marriage and the resulting stigma.  The impact of COVID-19 on GBV Women in low and low-middle income countries are disproportionately affected by violence, and this was before the pandemic began. Globally, it’s been reported that there has been a significant increase in violence against women – who, in many cases, were forced to stay at home with their abuser or lacked access to vital healthcare.  A number of surveys undertaken by our COVID-19 Taskforce team amongst our Member Associations (MAs) reveals the heightened levels of intimate partner and domestic violence for those in lockdown with abusers. The surveys further reveal that the inequality in access to information and education has been exacerbated, and how it has disproportionately affected young people.  Gains on the elimination of practices that harm girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) have regressed – including those on sexual violence, forced marriages, and rates of girls dropping out of school. Young people’s access to contraception and safe abortion care, along with antiretroviral and STI treatments, have been hugely affected. There is also increased concern that FGM is being practiced behind the veil of lockdowns, curfews and quarantine. Further, whilst many of our MAs turned to the digitalization of service provision – from online CSE to counselling – digital inequality (i.e. lack of access to phones, computers or the internet) means that adolescent girls in low and low-middle income countries miss out on these health initiatives. We can almost certainly say that women and girls will be most impacted by COVID-19 – undoing years of progress made to advance their rights. They will be left behind if we don’t urgently respond to their needs. We know that women who are subjected to violence are more likely to use health services than those who are not, even if they do not explicitly disclose it to their healthcare provider. Healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to provide first-line support to women affected by violence. This is why it is critical to invest in training frontline staff to provide effective, women-centered services, including referral to specialized services. Women affected by violence have a right to the best possible healthcare.  Violence against women is preventable As the Global Lead for Gender and Inclusion at IPPF, I know violence against women is preventable. The work our incredible MAs do on the ground gives me hope that we can one day see the end of violence against women and girls. In Malawi, our the Family Planning Association of Malawi is doing incredible work on preventing child marriage through community watch groups, made up of community leaders and social workers. Malawi has some of the highest rates of early forced marriage – where it’s estimated that 47% of girls are married by the age of 18. In Palestine, the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association runs sexual violence awareness workshops and is committed to working with local religious leaders and other partners to inform the public on their sexual health and rights.  In India, our MA works to empower women in prisons in preparation for life on the outside. Research undertaken in Mexico by MEXFAM has shown that when teachers are trained in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), there is an increased understanding among students of the need to reduce violence. And in Pakistan, our MA continues to work on prevention of violence in the Swat Valley and many other areas. These are just some examples of the incredible, life-changing work our MAs deliver.  For this work to continue and for gender equality to be finally realized, we call upon policy makers, donors and other key decision-makers to remain committed to funding sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights, to support specialized training for health providers, and to take a multi-sectoral approach in dealing with violence against women and girls, and to invest in comprehensive sexuality education.  Now more than ever, the commitment to women and girls needs to be unwavering – their lives depend on it. 

Fatoumata Yehiya Maiga

"The movement helps girls to know their rights and their bodies"

My name is Fatoumata Yehiya Maiga. I’m 23-years-old, and I’m an IT specialist. I joined the Youth Action Movement at the end of 2018. The head of the movement in Mali is a friend of mine, and I met her before I knew she was the president. She invited me to their events and over time persuaded me to join. I watched them raising awareness about sexual and reproductive health, using sketches and speeches. I learnt a lot. Overcoming taboos I went home and talked about what I had seen and learnt with my family. In Africa, and even more so in the village where I come from in Gao, northern Mali, people don’t talk about these things. I wanted to take my sisters to the events, but every time I spoke about them my relatives would just say it was to teach girls to have sex, and that it’s taboo. That’s not what I believe. I think the movement helps girls, most of all, to know their sexual rights, their bodies, what to do and what not to do to stay healthy and safe. They don’t understand this concept. My family would say it was just a smokescreen to convince girls to get involved in something dirty.  I have had to tell my younger cousins about their periods, for example, when they came from the village to live in the city. One of my cousins was so scared, and told me she was bleeding from her vagina and didn’t know why. We talk about managing periods in the Youth Action Movement, as well as how to manage cramps and feel better. The devastating impact of FGM But there was a much more important reason for me to join the movement. My parents are educated, so me and my sisters were never cut. I learned about female genital mutilation at a conference I attended in 2016. I didn’t know that there were different types of severity and ways that girls could be cut. I hadn’t understood quite how dangerous this practice is. Then, two years ago, I lost my friend Aïssata. She got married young, at 17. She struggled to conceive until she was 23. The day she gave birth, there were complications and she died. The doctors said that the excision was botched and that’s what killed her. From that day on, I decided I needed to teach all the girls in my community about how harmful this practice is for their health. I was so horrified by the way she died. Normally, girls in Mali are cut when they are three or four years old, though for some it’s done at birth. When they are older and get pregnant, I know they face the same challenges as every woman does giving birth, but they also live with the dangerous consequences of this unhealthy practice.  The importance of talking openly  The problem lies with the families. I want us, as a movement, to talk with the parents and explain to them how they can contribute to their children’s sexual health. I wish it were no longer a taboo between parents and their girls. But if we talk in such direct terms, they only see disobedience, and say that we are encouraging promiscuity. We need to talk to teenagers because they are already parents in many cases. They are the ones who decide to go through with cutting their daughters, or not. A lot of Mali is hard to reach though. We need travelling groups to go to those isolated rural areas and talk to people about sexual health. Pregnancy is the girl’s decision, and girls have a right to be healthy, and to choose their future.

An illustration of a woman being harassed at work
24 November 2020

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2020

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign which runs annually from 25 November (International Day Against Violence Against Women), to December 10 (International Human Rights Day). This campaign matters because one woman in three around the world has experienced physical or sexual violence, and one in two women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or families. More than 700 million women alive today were married as children, significantly increasing their risk of exposure to sexual and gender-based violence. If we don’t collectively take action, we will never break this unconscionable cycle of violence.  This year, we are putting the spotlight on the links between gender-based violence and the world of work. This could mean the violence and harassment women face while working, or on their way to/from work, or the harm they face at home which has an impact on their working lives. It is vital that we focus on this because: between 40-50% of women experience unwanted sexual advances, physical contact or other forms of sexual harassment at work  nearly a third of economies had no specific legal provisions covering sexual harassment at work, according to a 2018 study many women are forced to take time off work because of domestic abuse, and some lose their jobs as a direct result of it women who are exposed to intimate partner violence are employed in higher numbers in informal sectors, meaning lower earnings and less stability unemployment and economic insecurity are key risk factors for gender-based violence, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19. In 2019, the International Labour Organization (ILO) established new global standards aimed at tackling gender-based violence in the workplace. Violence and harassment in the world of work deprives people of their dignity, is incompatible with decent work, and a threat to equal opportunities and to safe, healthy, and productive working environments.  IPPF encourages the ratification and implementation of the ILO’s Convention No. 190 and Recommendation No. 206, which recognizes the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. You can play a part by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for engaging daily updates marking 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence throughout the campaign period, and sharing our information with your friends and family.

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IPPF's new project sets to change discriminatory laws related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in 12 countries

IPPF arranged the first meeting of the project group that is tasked to develop IPPF policy and advocacy work on SOGIE issues in Nairobi in November 2019. IPPF has chosen 12 member associations (MAs), two from each IPPF region, for this important work.  Participants shared their countries’ political situation and discussed possibilities and strategies for changing restrictive laws and regulations.  The participants feedback expressed that they were inspired by the range of advocacy experiences and ideas, the creative solutions to reformulate challenges to opportunities and the wins already achieved.  The world has recently seen improvements in SOGIE rights but still around 70 out of 190 countries have criminalizing legislations. Processes of decriminalization using the judicial system was a main discussion. Participants from MAs in India, Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago described how this had been a successful strategy in their countries and what the role of a non LGBTI health and human rights organisation could be. Examples were shared on how to cooperate with LGBTI organisations, including hosting and help initiate them in their formative stages. Some of our member organisations described the success of building and strengthening partner networks over time to enable the building of skills and confidence.  The participants also spent time discussing how to ensure institutional strengthening of their organisations ensuring the SOGIE knowledge and competence when carrying out advocacy. Making use of interns and ensuring this competence in the governing boards were among examples given. International human rights mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review are advocacy opportunities where the organisations are participating through writing shadow reports and reporting the situation on the ground. In addition, there were presentations of how to address public opinion (this film from Romania can be used as an example) and raise awareness of changes that are needed, as well as how to build movements and the importance for collecting evidence and data.  All these efforts require funding, thus the participants made advocacy plans that can be used when applying for support. The advocacy plans were made according to the IPPF strategies and the participants discussed how to make use of the IPPF tools.  At the end the participants watched the upcoming documentary The Art of Sin about the first gay man from Sudan to come out, by Ibrahim Mursal (co-produced by Sex og Politikk, IPPF’s MA in Norway). The film follows the artist Ahmed Umar as he comes out and explores his identity both in Sudan (where death penalty can be imposed on men who have sex with men) and Norway.    List of participants:   The participants came from 12 IPPF member associations (MAs), two from each of the 6 IPPF regions in the world: Tunisia (ATSR), Morocco (AMPF), Botswana (BFWA), Kenya (FHOK), India (FPAI), Sri Lanka (FPASL), Nord-Macedonia (HERA), Romania (SECS), Cambodia (RHAC), Indonesia (PKBI), Guyana (GRPA) and Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) as well as the steering group and the secretariat. The IPPF Steering Committee has one representative from each of IPPF 6 regions: Africa, Arab World, Europe, South East Asia and Oceania, South Asia and Western Hemisphere.  The secretariat of the project is based at IPPF Norway (Sex og Politikk).  

Bulbul from India
22 November 2019

16 Days of Activism: What are we doing to help end gender-based violence?

Once again, we are proud to stand with organizations around the world to mark the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs annually from 25 November to 10 December. Yet, we are obviously disappointed that we need to.  Although anyone can be on the receiving end of gender-based violence (GBV), it disproportionately affects women and girls; one in three women and girls will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and one in two women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or families. Just weeks ago, we were horrified to learn that our FP2020 colleague Jennifer Schlecht had been brutally murdered by her own partner, along with their young daughter.  Violence towards women and girls remains shockingly common, but IPPF and our Member Associations will not be deterred from taking every possible action to tackle it. As such, in 2018 we delivered 3.9 million sexual and GBV services – an increase of 15% from the previous year. These services focus on building resilience and empowering people, through access to appropriate and sensitive health services, education and counselling to support them through their experiences. Below are a few examples of how we have sought to achieve that since last year’s 16 Days of Activism: Caring for survivors of sexual violence during conflict and crisis Earlier this year, we highlighted the need to ensure care for women and girls who survive violence during conflict or humanitarian crises. Lacking the usual protective measures such as the family unit or home, they become more vulnerable to sexual violence, and in fact it can be more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in armed conflict. Learn more about what we had to say about supporting women and girls with their SRHR needs throughout a crisis.  Empowering women and girls in India The Family Planning Association of India empowers women and girls like Bulbul – who had been abused by her father-in-law – to become financially independent and aware of their rights. Watch her story:  Palestine: From experiencing violence to tackling it Fatima, a midwife for the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Agency (PFPPA), had been enduring a violent marriage, but through her work with the PFPPA she soon realized she didn’t have to put up with it – and she now helps others in similar situations. Fatima says one of her proudest moments has been working with a young man who had been violent towards his sister as he thought it was acceptable to treat women in this way, but was now being trained as a peer educator to help others understand gender equality better. Read Fatima’s story in full.  Breaking the cycle of GBV in South Asia #StartsWithYou IPPF’s colleagues in South Asia have launched #StartsWithYou, a unique campaign to encourage everyone to take an active role in taking a stand against GBV, using a variety of methods. From challenging sexist jokes and teaching children about inappropriate behaviour, to supporting a GBV survivor through legal processes, there are many ways to get involved. What role could you play?  Through this vital work and much more, we hope that one day we never have to mark 16 Days of Activism ever again. Until then, we will do everything we can to eliminate gender-based violence. Are you with us?

Bebia from Mozambique (Photo by: IPPF/Isabel Corthier)

IPPF unveils commitments at Nairobi Summit to transform lives of women, girls & marginalized groups

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has marked the start of the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 by unveiling ambitious new commitments to drive forward gains in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). On the first day of the Summit, IPPF Director General Dr Alvaro Bermejo revealed four new key pledges covering comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), abortion care, the fight against discriminatory laws covering sexual identity and gender expression, and South to South cooperation between IPPF national Member Associations. Dr Bermejo told global and national leaders gathered to mark 25 years since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) that all participants at the Summit needed to recommit to transforming the lives of women and girls. He said: “179 national governments signed up to the ICPD Programme of Action in Cairo 25 years ago. But signing is one thing, implementing another. It’s still about translating commitments on paper into action; action to transform the lives of women and girls and marginalised groups. This has to be a priority.     This Summit is needed because although Cairo was a monumental achievement, the years since have not fulfilled its promise.   Twenty-five years ago, it felt like the tide of progress was flowing only one way. Authoritarianism was in retreat, or maybe even defeated. It doesn’t feel like that now. This conference is hugely important for SRHR. IPPF will be influencing governments to announce national commitments to re-endorse ICPD and make sure it become a reality, and changes women’s and girls’ lives for the better.   And we are proud to make our own renewed commitments today. The ICPD Programme of Action continues to guide the work of IPPF Member Associations in every part of the world where we serve a woman, a girl or a young person and support their sexual and reproductive freedom.” Dr Bermejo unveiled four new commitments: (i)    By 2025 IPPF, together with Rutgers, its national Member Association in the Netherlands, will:  Provide 12 million young people in 30 focus countries with a specific focus on Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America/the Caribbean with comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), in and out of schools, through evidence-based approaches including innovative and digital ones. Influence governments of 42 countries to establish new or revised policy initiatives and/or legislative changes to include CSE into curricula of formal education programs or programs for out-of-school adolescents. Jointly establish at least three Centers of Excellence in priority regions to work in youth-centered programming and CSE and to build local capacity to deliver high-quality integrated gender and rights-based CSE. (ii)    By 2022, IPPF will:   Accelerate universal access to safe abortion by expanding the provision of quality and women-centered comprehensive abortion care, with a focus on implementing innovative strategies to reach underserved populations; providing support to women to self-manage medical abortion and improving access to and availability of medical abortion commodities. Champion reproductive freedom and stand firm against reproductive coercion by advocating for safe and legal abortion, and by defeating obstacles that undermine women’s reproductive autonomy. We will influence 20 governments to establish new or revised policy initiatives or to pass legislative changes in support of improved access to abortion. (iii)    IPPF commits to increase South-to-South triangular cooperation by establishing at least seven Centers of Excellence to accelerate cross-Federation learning and fostering a Member Association centric approach, in areas such as comprehensive sexuality education, sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian settings, supporting social movements, and enhancing female leadership by 2022. (iv)    IPPF and many of its Member Associations are fighting discriminatory laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We commit to supporting each other and engaging with partners to ensure at least six countries change these laws by 2025.

Indian woman standing with arms crossed
07 November 2019

ICPD 25 years later: How did the historic conference impact sexual and reproductive health & rights?

This year marks the 25th anniversary of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) – a defining moment for sexual and reproductive health and rights. What is ICPD? 25 years ago in Cairo, Egypt, 179 governments came together and adopted a radical and revolutionary Programme of Action (PoA) on women’s reproductive health and rights.  The PoA realized and affirmed that women’s reproductive health and rights was intertwined with the advancement of women’s rights as a whole and would be a tool to help achieve gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. What has happened since ICPD? Though significant global investment has been made in sexual and reproductive health and some outcomes on women’s health have been improved, this is not enough. We are still falling dangerously short of achieving the promises laid out 25 years ago in Cairo.  Today, on average:  830 women die giving birth 33,000 girls will be forced into child marriage 11,000 girls will forcibly undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) 25 million women are forced to turn to unsafe abortion methods every year  Globally, 232 million women who want to prevent pregnancy do not have access to modern contraception.  What next for ICPD and gender equality? Next week, governments, civil society, the private sector, community leaders and other stakeholders will meet to accelerate the promises made in Cairo. New national commitments will be announced by governments to translate international and regional ones into urgent action in line with the Agenda 2030. The renewed energy and commitment to the PoA will bring to reality the human rights for all to access quality, affordable and inclusive sexual and reproductive healthcare – which in turn will contribute to the advancement of a fairer and just society for women and girls especially.  IPPF commitments at ICPD+25 By 2025 IPPF, together with Rutgers, its national Member Association in the Netherlands, will:  Provide 12 million young people in 30 focus countries with a specific focus on Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America/the Caribbean with comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), in and out of schools, through evidence-based approaches including innovative and digital ones. Influence governments of 42 countries to establish new or revised policy initiatives and/or legislative changes to include CSE into curricula of formal education programs or programs for out-of-school adolescents. Jointly establish at least three Centers of Excellence in priority regions to work in youth-centered programming and CSE and to build local capacity to deliver high-quality integrated gender and rights-based CSE.  By 2022, IPPF will:   Accelerate universal access to safe abortion by expanding the provision of quality and women-centered comprehensive abortion care, with a focus on implementing innovative strategies to reach underserved populations; providing support to women to self-manage medical abortion and improving access to and availability of medical abortion commodities. Champion reproductive freedom and stand firm against reproductive coercion by advocating for safe and legal abortion, and by defeating obstacles that undermine women’s reproductive autonomy. We will influence 20 governments to establish new or revised policy initiatives or to pass legislative changes in support of improved access to abortion. IPPF commits to increase South-to-South triangular cooperation by establishing at least seven Centers of Excellence to accelerate cross-Federation learning and fostering a Member Association centric approach, in areas such as comprehensive sexuality education, sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian settings, supporting social movements, and enhancing female leadership by 2022. IPPF and many of its Member Associations are fighting discriminatory laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We commit to supporting each other and engaging with partners to ensure at least six countries change these laws by 2025. IPPF and civil society all over the world will hold governments to account to make sure promises are fulfilled.

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IPPF responds to latest UK aid pledge made at UNGA

IPPF responds to the new UK aid pledge made at the United Nations General Assembly, to expand access for over 20 million women and girls. Speaking at the high-level event at the United Nations General Assembly, International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said the world cannot achieve universal health coverage without prioritizing universal sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) access for women and girls.  IPPF Director General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “We welcome the UK Government’s leadership at this critical time in significantly stepping up their efforts to expanding access to quality contraceptive supplies and sexual and reproductive healthcare services. This will be transformative for millions of women and girls in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalized communities, especially in humanitarian settings.    The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is working in close partnership with the UK government through the Women’s Integrated Health programme (WISH)  to scale up efforts at country level and expand reach to millions of new users of sexual and reproductive healthcare.  A second IPPF programme supported by DFID looks at the needs of people in complex and challenging settings (ACCESS) to design and test innovative sexual and reproductive health and rights solutions. This is the commitment and leadership that  puts women at the heart of healthcare.    DFID’s continued strong commitment to the UNFPA Supplies programme affirms its role as a global champion of women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health. The UNFPA Supplies programme is an essential mechanism for supporting women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive services and a close partner of IPPF. We look forward to continuing to work with DFID and UNFPA Supplies to make sure every woman and girl can access the healthcare she needs and deserves.”