The new President of the United States is now unveiling his plan to dismantle progress and implement a violent and discriminatory society, all of which have been designed to reverse human rights wins. Between 20 and 29 January, 2025, Donald Trump announced a series of presidential actions, aimed at scaling up attacks toward every individual's right to decide over their own body, identity, and life. The plan of the Trump administration was detailed in the "Project 2025": A society where women lose their rights and freedoms and are reduced to reproductive and domestic labour; A society where the existence of trans and intersex individuals is denied, and their rights are trampled upon; A society where lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals are forbidden from the choice to have a family - or not - and live freely in their emotional, sexual and relational lives. We have learnt from years of denouncing and refusing the conditions of the Global Gag Rule, that executive orders expand over political cycles, and we can’t rely on a change in government to wind back the clock. The introduction of the Foreign Aid Executive Order, the Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government, and the Reevaluating And Realigning United States Foreign Aid reveal a new level of complexity designed to chill the funding landscape and promote violence against those most discriminated and marginalized. This vision, driven by far-right ideologies, will accelerate gender-based, sexual, and LGBTQI+phobic violence, result in more deaths and restrict long taken for granted human rights. This deadly project is not unique to the American far-right. We see it spreading across the world. We have seen both right-wing and left-wing governments gradually incorporating far-right narratives by denying the rights of trans individuals, migrants, and women. A culture of fear and silence has translated into collusion and complicity. We will stand up and speak out for sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice for ALL.  Trans people, women, refugees, and migrants are not the threat. Two consecutive administrations who militarised aid and development followed by the Trump Administrations attacks on identity make the US political establishment the real threat to global peace and progress.  Let’s cut through the rhetoric and name the Trump Administration's actions for what they are: Attacking the rights of trans and intersex individuals is attacking women’s rights. Deporting migrants leads to misery and death for at risk or targeted populations. Forcibly transferring incarcerated trans women to men’s prisons amounts to risking their lives Cutting funding to the World Health Organization, UNFPA and others makes us vulnerable to pandemics, and cuts off healthcare to everyone, including Americans. Blocking funding for sexual and reproductive health organizations increases the amount of abortions, but makes them less safe, resulting in pregnant people dying. Denying trans adolescents access to healthcare leaves children to suffer, more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds. Increasing militarization and occupation results in more attacks against health care workers and the destruction of service sites makes progress impossible. Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement contributes to an increase in natural disasters and humanitarian crises, where most unsafe abortions happen.  The far-right’s program leads to the death of women, LGBTQI+ individuals, migrants, the poor, and other oppressed groups. To combat this destructive societal vision, our organizations call for the unity of progressive movements: We urge governments to stop enabling anti-rights narratives: let women, trans, intersex and non-binary individuals, and migrants live with dignity. Respect our human rights. Defend our human rights. Condemn governments that attack us. We welcome political and climate refugees. We call on feminist organizations, defenders of sexual rights, LGBTQI+ advocates, environmentalists, and ALL human rights defenders: build bridges between our struggles. Keep showing up as part of the wider liberation struggle. To organizations with privileged access to places of power like us: use this privilege to amplify the struggles of those absent from the negotiation table. Elevate the voice of the people who are directly targeted. To keep fighting for the end of colonisation and occupation. We speak out against the militarization of our health service scopes, and the killing of health care workers and patients.  Finally, to individuals and activists who follow us, who defend our causes, who demonstrate, share our messages on social media, and support us financially: thank you. You are not alone. Join us. Let’s come together and fight back and win.

Since his inauguration, Donald Trump has conducted a vicious and calculated assault on trans and nonbinary people. Whilst not yet concluded, his attacks include a suite of executive actions designed to humiliate, demonise and erase trans and non-binary people from public life, and include the targeting of children and young people. Some of the actions include the denial of gender-affirming care for minors and the denial of comprehensive sex and relationships education for students. This will increase the rate of violence against, and suicide in young people, and is nothing short of an act of state violence. “Trans children and young people deserve safety, access to the same standard of care afforded to their peers, and adults around them who have their best interest at heart listening to their needs," said Micah Grzywnowicz, Regional Director, IPPF European Network. "No young person, regardless of who they are, should be used as a pawn in a political game. The consequences of this Executive Order will be devastating and long-lasting. For many, access to gender affirming care is a lifeline - we will soon see increasing risks of mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and in the worst-case scenario, suicidal tendencies. This must be taken off the books - immediately,” The attacks against children and young people are linked to a full-scale ideological war against all LGBTQI people denying them access to health care and meaningful employment. The anti-gender executive action positions women as needing protection - not from the Trump Administration - but from trans people; and the dog whistling against sexually and gender diverse military personnel is not only bizarre, but signals a new era of toxic masculinity in an increasingly militarised world. Shifting the narrative from marginalization to outright criminalization is dangerous. It is extremist. It is inhumane. The Trump administration’s rollback of HIV/AIDS funding and potential cuts to PEPFAR will have devastating consequences — especially for transgender people, some of whom are engaged in sex work due to systemic discrimination. These cuts will directly impact access to life-saving medication, prevention programs, and healthcare. LGBTQI+ people rely on access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, the reinstatement of the global gag rule and the new foreign aid executive action further denies health care to LGBTQI+ people. By stripping away these vital services, Trump is jeopardising years of global health progress. And it is not just happening in the United States. Across the world, IPPF and its Member Associations are mobilized to expose these strategies used by political parties and governments spreading trans and homophobic ideologies. Many far-right governments use the same playbook—using transphobia as a political weapon to divide the women’s movement, and putting at risk years of child protection efforts designed to safeguard children from harm: in the house, by the church and from the state. As part of the women’s movement we resist the patriarchy, we stand with lesbian, gay, queer, trans and non-binary people who are part of our movement.  We are family. We will fight for the rights of our children and young people in all their beautiful diversity. We stand with trans and non-binary people everywhere.   For more information on gender-affirming care, read our IMAP Statement here: IMAP Statement on Hormone Therapy for Transgender and Gender Diverse Persons | IPPF  You can also read our blog on Self-care tips for when you are receiving gender-affirming healthcare here: Self-care tips for when you are receiving gender-affirming healthcare | IPPF 

Fighting for sexual rights is, at its core, a fight to uphold and protect democracy. Attacks on sexual rights are a clear indication that democracy is fragile and under threat.  The year 2024 highlighted the entwined relationship between democracy and the fight for human rights. Over those twelve months, an exceptional number of citizens around the world have gone to the polls to elect their leaders. At first glance, one might be tempted to view this as a victory for democracy—a sign that many countries have granted their people the right to vote.   However, according to CNN, over 30% of elections have been held by undemocratic regimes.   Unequal access to this fundamental civic right across nations highlights the deliberate manipulation of votes to silence certain populations. The results of these numerous elections highlight a troubling trend: the steady rise of far-right movements advancing anti-democratic and criminal agendas.  Reclaiming the word "criminal"  to refer to the far-right  The opposition criminalises our rights, our bodies, and our lives. They define us as criminals, while the only criminals are those who prevent individuals from having control over their bodies and their lives. Those who promote violence and discrimination to establish a social norm that deliberately excludes groups of people.   Let us weigh up our words carefully, and as we close the year 2024, collectively remind ourselves that the only criminals are the actors of the far-right.  The word "criminal" epitomizes the far-right governments’ systematic attacks on women's rights, particularly through restricting access to safe and legal abortion. They have been condemning women to clandestinity and the risks of hemorrhage and death. Women's lives are of far less value to them than those of men and their authoritarian ideas.   In Poland, where the far-right's move to restrict access to abortion in 2021, serves as a grim example. Every time a woman dies as a result of a clandestine abortion caused by this oppressive legislation, our Member Association in Poland, Women's Strike, and the entire feminist movement are both deeply moved and outraged. Meanwhile, those responsible for these anti-choice laws turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the consequences.  Using the legal system to silence activists is nothing new—yet it is another stark reminder that attacks on women's rights often herald a broader assault on democratic principles: justice, freedom of the press, and the fundamental rights of all.  But their cowardice does not end there. They also seek to suppress the wave of revolt sparked by our movement. In 2024, three prominent leaders of Women's Strike faced court trials for organizing protests in support of abortion rights back in 2020, when the abortion ban was first announced.     The agenda of the rise of the far-right across the world is also criminal in its systematic attack on communities In 2024, these governments continued to use their legal frameworks to criminalise sex work and arrest and to terrorize sex workers around the world. Georgina Orellano, sex worker and activist, was arrested in Argentina as part of a repressive operation and faced police violence while media stayed silence.   Faced with this situation, feminist movements must be more brave and even more vocal in supporting and defending the rights of sex workers. Decriminalization must be our first step by 2025.   The same goes for associations of women drug users, who are often marginalized and excluded. In our intersectional movement, we must remember that our struggles will not be waged without women drug users. Their voices must be heard. And their criminalization and incarceration are not, and never will be, a solution to building a healthy society.  When the far right relies on exclusion to build its project for society, our duty is to build solidarity and inclusion in our struggles. The battle will not be won alone.   A criminal agenda manifested in the far right's systematic efforts to harm, criminalize, and stigmatize LGBTQI+ people worldwide, particularly targeting trans individuals. In 2024, the violence persisted, with continued murders of LGBTQI+ people. Uganda passed its anti-homosexuality law while simultaneously restricting associative freedoms— another clear demonstration that attacks on LGBTQI+ rights are closely linked to broader assaults on democracy. Collaboration among feminist, SRHR, and LGBTQI+ organizations is crucial in combating the systemic oppression faced by LGBTQI+ communities.  The far-right, if alone and isolated, would not be able to carry out so many criminal acts It is acting with the support of wealthy individuals, notably in Russia and the USA, who are funding this project to destroy democracy and the rights of all, in service of the power gain of a few.  The far-right operates with the unconditional backing of religious groups that fundraise, finance, craft hate messages and spreads them using neo-colonial and racist methods.  The far-right is able to act with impunity thanks to the silent complicity of certain governments, media, and influential figures. By de-demonizing the far-right, allowing parts of the press to be bought and run by far-right figures, by prioritizing the voices of certain nations, and by turning a blind eye, they enable the far right to advance its agenda.  The horror that Palestinians have been enduring since October 2023 is the result of the actions of the far-right Israeli government and the complicity of international powers that have remained silently complicit, allowing the genocide of Palestinians to continue for over a year.  2024 also witnessed the spread of the conflict in Lebanon, where our Lebanese Member Association paid a heavy price. Our clinics in Beqaa were burnt and destroyed. The thousands of people we treated found themselves without access to healthcare. Our employees feared for their lives and those of their loved ones. We salute their courage in continuing to work under these conditions to deliver access to sexual and reproductive health services for the inhabitants. The ceasefire we called for is a relief, but it will not erase the ravages of the Israeli bombardment on our clinics and the trauma of our staff and volunteers.  These humanitarian crises are not inevitable. They are human made. And it is up to world leaders to put an end to them.  Our humanitarian work in Sudan continues as we enter the second year of civil war. The international community and mainstream media are not listening to the voices of Sudanese women. Our Sudanese Member Association, with unmatched courage and determination, continues to raise awareness about the ongoing use of rape as a weapon of war by militias. Yet, there remains silence and inaction on the international stage. In countries under terrorist and authoritarian regimes, women are silenced by violent men in power. Since November 2024, Afghan women have been prohibited from speaking in public. Despite this hostile environment, our Afghan Member Association remains committed to providing care and creating spaces for those denied a voice.  In the face of the far-right, authoritarian regimes and conservative organizations, our feminist movement defending sexual rights for all stands strong through its actions and solidarity.  In 2024, even in hostile contexts, we achieved victories across continents    In Europe, progress has been made on abortion rights: France enshrined it in its constitution on March 8, and Denmark and Norway expanded access. These victories were made possible through the tireless work of our member organizations alongside their allies. Belgium made history by changing labor laws to recognize sex workers' rights and provide them with social protections.  In Africa, Tanzania authorized mifepristone, thus enabling access to medical abortion. Namibia’s High Court declared the apartheid-era sodomy law unconstitutional. Eswatini became the first country in the world to provide access to the dapivirine vaginal ring, the first women-controlled HIV prevention product.  In Asia, Thailand became the first country in South Asia to legalize marriage for all. Japan changed the course of its history by declaring practices under the now-defunct eugenics law unconstitutional and ordering the government to pay damages to survivors of forced sterilizations.  In the Americas and the Caribbean, the Green Wave continues to win. In Mexico, Jalisco became the 13th state to decriminalize abortion. In the United States, seven states voted to protect the right to abortion.  The year 2024 has taught us that in the face of hostility, our movement can and did win battles. Our strength lies in the solidarity we build with neighboring movements of our struggles. It is together, with civil society, allies, and donors, that we have achieved each of these victories. Let’s come together to win. 

NEWS ALERT: In an emergency meeting held this weekend, the ILGA World Board unanimously decided to remove a bid from The Aguda, a member organisation based in Israel who proposed to host their next World Conference in Tel Aviv. This means the bid will not go forward, nor put to a vote at the upcoming World Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. At its meeting, the ILGA World Board also decided to suspend the organisation from their membership, as their current actions could violate the ILGA World Constitution.  In recognition of the historical experience with apartheid and colonialism in South Africa and their unequivocal solidarity for the Palestinian people, ILGA World apologised for the anger and harm this bid caused at a time whilst a plausible genocide is taking place. Through Kalavai, a truly intersectional, cross movement partnership, ILGA World is a critical partner of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. We recognise that our future requires solidarity and moral courage. With the defunding of grass roots organisations, and mounting pressure on organisations to turn the other way, to collude in silence; IPPF acknowledges the leadership of ILGA World – and many others, including most recently members of the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy. We stand in solidarity. We stand against reproductive and sexual violence. We stand against genocide and the deliberate destruction of international humanitarian law. We call on sister organisations to keep speaking, to tell the truth, to ensure our movement stands the test of time. We stand in solidarity with girls and women in all their diversity, with LGBTQ people, with our sisters in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, the DRC, Sudan, Myanmar and elsewhere. We demand sexual and reproductive rights for ALL.

This is the story of a young teenage boy who would walk the streets of Nairobi on a Sunday afternoon, hoping to find someone with whom he could connect. Someone who would understand the kind of touch he needed and who would allow him to be seen as a lover and not as an abomination, curse, or illness.   It's also a story of discovering a home, a home that embodies wholeness, love, compassion, dreams, authenticity, vulnerability, fun, creativity, and bravery. My name is Kevin Mwachiro. I am a Kenyan writer, podcaster, journalist and LGBTQI activist. I am that teenage boy, and I'm a proudly African. My Africa is a place of immense beauty, but it can also be dangerous for those who dare to be themselves. I chose to live my truth after being almost forced out of the closet in 2001 after I got caught kissing a guy. I had always known that I was attracted to other guys and acted on that feeling the first time when I was 16. That moment of freedom and pleasure was immediately followed by shame and guilt and hiding for over a decade. It was a struggle with self-hate, masturbation and low self-esteem. Post 2001, I was forced to look at myself in the mirror and finally admit that I was gay and for the next few years, I straddled the fence torn between desire and dogma. That period was confusing, exciting, lonely, and precarious. I say precarious because it involved having sex in risky places and with total strangers and, at times, the oddest time of the day. However, it has been here within the bosom of Mama Africa that I have fully come out into my queerness. It has been a journey with numerous therapy sessions, self-acceptance and forgiveness, and finally, finding a community of Kenya and African LGBTQI folk that I started fully embracing myself.

As we observe World Contraception Day, it’s essential to recognize that contraception is not just a concern for cisgender people. For many trans men, trans women, and non-binary individuals, access to contraception is a critical aspect of sexual and reproductive health. However, the healthcare system often overlooks or inadequately serves trans people when it comes to contraception. This blog highlights the reasons why trans people need access to contraception and the importance of developing trans-friendly healthcare services. Why Trans People Use Contraception Contraception is relevant to many trans people, regardless of their transition status or identity. For trans men who have sex with cis men, contraception may be necessary to prevent pregnancy, even if they are on testosterone. While testosterone can reduce the likelihood of ovulation, it does not entirely eliminate the possibility of pregnancy. Additionally, some trans men use hormonal contraception to stop menstruation, which can help align their physical experience with their gender identity. For trans women, while pregnancy prevention may not be a direct concern, contraception can still play a significant role. Some trans women in sexual relationships with cis women may use contraceptive pills or other methods to help prevent unintended pregnancies for their female partners. Additionally, trans women may use contraception to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or to manage hormone levels in ways that complement their gender-affirming treatments. In short, contraception plays a role beyond pregnancy prevention—it is an important part of broader sexual and reproductive health for all trans people.

Gender-affirming care for transgender people Transgender people are diverse in their need for gender transition‑related services; not all transgender people want to affirm their bodies through gender-affirming medical procedures. Procedures include gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT); gender-affirming surgery (GAS) – procedures of the face, breast, chest, body, or genitals; and facial hair removal and voice and communication therapy. WPATH recommends that healthcare systems should provide medically necessary gender-affirming health care for transgender people. According to the medical necessity statement issued by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH): “Sex reassignment plays an undisputed role in contributing toward favourable outcomes, and comprises real life experience, legal name and sex change on identity documents, as well as medically necessary hormone treatment, counselling, psychotherapy, and other medical procedures.” For many transgender people, hormone therapy is part of the affirmation of their gender identity, so providing this service may assist them to realize their sexual and gender rights.

What does it mean to be a transgender person? Transgender people are individuals of any age whose gender identity and expression does not conform to norms and expectations traditionally associated with their sex assigned at birth. In contemporary usage, ‘transgender’ or ‘trans’ has become an umbrella term that is used to describe a wide range of identities and experiences. Other words include gender diverse, sometimes used for people who do not identify as transgender or trans but have a gender identity different from that assigned at birth. Not all transgender people want to undergo gender-affirming medical interventions such as GAHT and gender-affirming surgery (GAS).   What are the current medical views on transgender identities? Gender identity is usually considered to be established in the early preschool years. For some people, their recognition as being different from their assigned gender can happen during childhood itself. For others, this recognition may arise during adolescence or adulthood. The understanding of gender identity development is evolving and has been complicated by the politicalization of transgender healthcare and transgender lives (e.g., sports, bathrooms). The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) specifically notes that “the expression of gender characteristics, including identities, which are not stereotypically associated with one’s assigned sex at birth, is a common and culturally diverse human phenomenon [that] should not be judged as inherently pathological or negative.” This changing understanding of gender identity is reflected in the changing nomenclature of diagnosis systems. In the fifth edition of the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‑V-TR), ‘gender identity disorder’ is replaced by the term ‘gender dysphoria.’ ‘Gender dysphoria’ refers to the discomfort or distress caused by a discrepancy between someone’s gender identity and that person’s sex assigned at birth (and their associated gender role and/or primary and secondary sex characteristics). WPATH stresses that only some transgender people experience gender dysphoria at some point. In the 10th edition (1994) of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‑10) of the World Health Organization (WHO), the category ‘gender identity disorder’ still exists. However, the WHO removed many terms related to gender identity, including ‘gender identity disorder’ in ICD 11 (2022). In addition, ‘gender incongruence,’ was added under Conditions Related to Sexual Health. Gender incongruence is a marked and persistent incongruence between the gender felt or experienced and the gender assigned at birth.   Trans & Proud: Being Transgender in the Cook Islands: “I want to be a girl,” Talia once said to her mom. She also decided to write a letter to her dad.  Although Talia was initially worried about her father’s response about her desire to transition, Talia’s father assured her of his unconditional love. Read the story of Talia here!

Love wins! The fight for marriage equality has seen incredible progress worldwide, with a recent surge in legalizations. Across the world, 36 out of 195 countries have legalized equal marriage: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay. In 2023, three new countries legalized same-sex marriage (Andorra, Estonia and Slovenia), and three more solidified legislative progress towards decriminalizing same-sex unions: a Japanese court ruled it is unconstitutional for the nation not to legally recognize same-sex unions. And the Supreme Courts of Nepal and Namibia recognized marriages of same-sex couples registered abroad. So marriage equality marches on! Already in 2024, two more countries have said "I do" to equal rights.   According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, even more countries could legalize equal marriage in 2024. In particular, the Czech Republic, India, Japan, Nepal and Philippines show signs of growing support for marriage equality. The fight for marriage equality isn't over, but the momentum is undeniable. IPPF stands with those working to make love win everywhere.