Resources

2016 saw the implementation of IPPFs new strategic plan and therefore was a year of transition for the Secretariat as operations were aligned to focus on the new outcomes. The strategy responds to social, political and demographic global trends. These include: the expectations and potential of the largest ever generation of young people; ongoing, significant social and economic inequalities, including discrimination against girls and women; and opposition that threatens gains in human rights. We continue to receive funding from and are grateful for the continued support of our key funders. With their support and help our unrestricted funding increased in the year to US$76.7 million from US$72.2 million. This was in spite of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union in June, which led to the weakening of sterling and Euro against the dollar and reduced our dollar income from our European donors. Restricted income increased from US$44.1 million to US$53.7 million. A significant factor in the increase was the US$10 million received from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to enable IPPF to respond to the Zika crisis in the Western Hemisphere Region. The amount of grants to Member Associations (MAs) and partner organizations was US$68.3 million. Central expenditure decreased by US$2.9 million to US$16.1 million mainly due to the weakening of sterling whereas Regional expenditure remained consistent with the prior year at US$34.0 million (a US$0.4 million decrease on 2015).

Safe abortion is heavily restricted in Uganda, yet gender inequality and sexual violence are widespread. Hosted by IPPF, the Safe Abortion Action Fund is helping vulnerable women to turn their lives around. People are learning about safe abortion and fewer girls are dying. Community attitudes have been transformed and social stigma has started to give way to human rights and understanding. Read the success stories and meet the people behind the scenes

In Uganda, 42% of all pregnancies each year are unintended. The country's weak economy is exacerbated by high levels of gender inequality and poor access to jobs for women. Many women who turn to sex work are at risk of abuse and often rape. Abortion is heavily restricted in Uganda and clandestine safe services are very costly. This results in further poverty for many sex workers and sometimes unplanned pregnancies or even death from unsafe abortion. View the project and meet the women who are turning their lives around

Rural communities in Uganda have a high prevalence rate of gender inequality, sexual abuse and incest. There is little provision of sexual and reproductive health services and abortion is highly restricted. The Safe Abortion Action Fund, hosted by IPPF, is financing the grassroots organization, VODA, to empower young people as changemakers in their schools and communities. With training and support, peer educators have been educating friends about sexual and reproductive health, and local health providers are serving women in need. Death from unsafe abortion was once a widespread problem but through the power of peer education, these have almost disappeared and community attitudes towards safe abortion has been transformed. View the project and meet the school communities making change

Young people are crucial to IPPF and IPPF is crucial to young people. That's why young people and their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are identified as a high priority in IPPF’s Strategic Framework (2016-2022). Now - as we implement our Strategic Framework - is the perfect time to consolidate and scale up our work with and for young people. It’s also the right time to demonstrate how we can put our youth-centred approach into action.  

The evidence is clear: family planning saves lives. Yet, the poorest and most marginalized women and girls are being left behind during one of the most successful advances in public health in the past half century. IPPF’s report Under-served and Over-looked offers an overview of the women and girls that are being left behind and unable to access the life-saving contraception they want and need. IPPF is fighting for a world where women everywhere can say "I decide". Support our call for universal access to contraception! Add your voice

Many sex workers in Uganda end up having unwanted pregnancies often resorting to unsafe abortions. There are many myths and misconceptions about contraception as well as a lack of access. This issue was one of the reasons why Lady Mermaid's Bureau (LMB), a sex workers rights organisation from Kampala, decided to apply for a grant from the Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF) in 2013.  Founded in 2002 by a group of former sex workers, the Lady Mermaid's Bureau, the first organization of its kind in the region, works to prevent and reduce unsafe abortions amongst sex workers in Uganda and campaigns to decriminalize abortion and sex work.  The Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF) which is hosted by IPPF was set up in 2006 in order to support grass-roots organisations to increase access to safe abortion.  Photography © IPPF/Tommy Trenchard

In the three years since the VODA Uganda project started there have been some incredible results. The project has brought about changes in perceptions about abortion in the community and schools, bringing community leaders and health workers on board, explaining the problems of unsafe abortion and directing girls and women to post-abortion care services. VODA (volunteers of development assistance) is a local, grassroots project funded by the Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF). The Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF) which is hosted by IPPF, was set up in 2006 in order to support grass-roots organisations to increase access to safe abortion.  Photography © IPPF/Tommy Trenchard  

Many young immigrants arriving in Sweden have limited or no knowledge about sexual health. The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education in Sweden (RFSU), a member association of IPPF, has been working to help fill the gap by providing sexual health lessons to young asylum seekers with great responses.  Kerstin Isaxon is an expert on comprehensive sexual education at RFSU. She works with educating staff and unaccompanied minors at group homes, as well as at high-school introductory Swedish programmes. She says: “These young people may not have been offered it in school, or their schooling may have been interrupted by war, poverty, persecution, or flight." In her view there is a great need for education about sex and relationships.  REad their stories

In response to President Trump's reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule 50 countries and leading civil society organizations rallied together.  The aim of the She Decides Conference was for these governments to reaffirm their commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights. These are human rights which are now at risk around the world because the Global Gag Rule blocks critical USAID funding to health organizations like IPPF. IPPF is losing $100m in funding from USAID which means programs to deliver life-saving health services will be jeopardised. With increased commitments from other leading governments around the world, civil society organizations like IPPF can continue to provide the access to service and information that millions of women need.