Resources

This statement was prepared by the International Medical Advisory Panel (IMAP) and approved in November 2024. Abortion after 13 weeks’ gestation is a key component of comprehensive abortion care. Also referred to as second trimester abortion or later abortion, abortions after 13 weeks constitute 10-15% of all induced abortions worldwide, although rates may be up to 40% in some settings. Despite it being less common, two-thirds of all major abortion-related complications occur after 13 weeks, which are responsible for nearly half of all abortion-related deaths. The majority of these abortion deaths and related complications occur in countries where legal restrictions are the most severe and where there is a high prevalence of unsafe abortion. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) supports the rights of women and other people who become pregnant to end their pregnancy, and their right to be able to access safe abortion care when needed, including at later gestations. Pregnancy can be ended safely in the majority of cases regardless of gestational duration although risks associated with abortion complications increase as a pregnancy advances, particularly if the abortion procedure is unsafe. Gestational limits in policies and laws restrict access to care, often forcing women and pregnant people to turn to unsafe abortion. This statement is intended to support and guide IPPF Member Associations (MAs) and other SRHR and women’s organizations, including those providing information and services, engaged in advocacy and/or partnering with governments and other key stakeholders. It is designed to raise awareness on the importance of abortion care after 13 weeks’ gestation and provide service providers and advocates with information and tools to support the provision of abortion services beyond 13 weeks.

IPPF and Justice for Prosperity jointly conducted a rapid intelligence assessment of anti-rights opposition efforts in the Asia Pacific in order to better inform strategic responses to defend human rights and develop a counter strategy. The analysis focused on ten focal countries which have shown marked shifts and influence from the opposition: Vanuatu, Tuvalu, PNG, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Australia. In many cases, relationships and activities are intentionally manipulated. Ultra-conservative, traditionalist, religious actors are the ones who mostly drive this manipulation. To truly understand their power and influence, we must consider the anti-rights movement as a complete and interactive “trifecta” comprised of conservatives, populists and extremists/ influencers. Download the full report in the link above. 

We are a worldwide movement of national organizations working with and for communities and individuals. We are made up of over 119 Member Associations and 31 Collaborative Partners and work across 151 countries. Our work is wide-ranging, including comprehensive sexuality education, provision of contraceptives, safe abortion, maternal care and responding to humanitarian crises. We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income and, crucially, no matter how remote. Download our 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements below to learn about our work and impact worldwide.

Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease which typically occurs in tropical areas in central and west Africa. From May 2022-July 2023, multiple cases of mpox were identified in non-endemic countries, and the World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This marked the first time many mpox cases were reported concurrently in non-endemic and endemic countries in different geographical areas. During the outbreak, nearly 100,000 people were infected, primarily gay and bisexual men, and approximately 200 people died.  This statement was prepared by Nathalie Kapp, Chief Medical Advisor with support from the International Medical Advisory Panel (IMAP) members: Arachu Castro, Michalina Drejza, Gail Knudson, Zozo Nene, Prof. Pascale Allotey, Janet Meyers, Professor Michael Mbizvo (Co-Chair), Chipo Gwanzura (Co-Chair), Paul D. Blumenthal, and Edmore Munongo. We thank the panel for their valuable and timely guidance and reviews offered during the development process. 

Commonly dubbed “the digital generation”, young people are driving innovative digital solutions to lead critical conversations related to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice (SRHRJ). These solutions do not come easy, as many young people still feel the brunt of the gender digital divide which further marginalises women, girls, and gender expansive people. Young people also face challenges in navigating social media platforms whose content moderation policies increase censorship on content related to SRHRJ, particularly comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). Navigating this, young content creators have created new slangs and euphemisms that help convey their messages without experiencing the impact of censorship. They also use a range of platforms to build and sustain communities of practice that enable knowledge sharing, solidarity, and best practices for delivering CSE and promoting youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in hostile contexts. Youth Day 2024 honours the resilience of young people who are creating digital pathways for sustainable development. The United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has partnered with several UN agencies to highlight the role of young people in driving change. Actions like these are critical to affirming the power of young people who are collectively working to overcome the barriers they face daily, to increase access to information for all. It is no secret that young people, across various cultural and social contexts, are demanding comprehensive sexuality education and SRH services. Research has also shown that CSE is important for developing young people particularly in creating positive identities and sense of self and wellness, increased knowledge of their rights, and decision making. Globally, CSE is not delivered in its entirety as some topics are seen as taboo. To challenge this, youth-led organisations, inclusive of regional youth networks of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, are producing innovative digital solutions to meet their needs. From social media advocacy campaigns to virtual out-of-school CSE delivery, they are filling the gaps to improve the quality of learning for youth and ensuring that no one is left behind. "Delivering CSE in digital spaces is beneficial as it helps to foster transnational solidarity while also demonstrating the similarities in contexts and realities. More importantly, it can create a safer space to ask questions without the fear of being judged. These solutions are becoming increasingly important as across several contexts, the classroom is an unsafe space for learners, particularly of those who have been historically marginalised; LGBTQIA+ learners, learners with disabilities, and racialised people. While there are several concerns of the replacement of digital tools for real life educators, there is significant opportunity to use these tools to ensure a holistic and safe experience for learners, adequately meeting their needs and countering the spread of misinformation and disinformation."- Ashlee Burnett, Global Lead, CSE This learning brief provides an overview of the work led by youth and for youth to engage in digital advocacy and delivery of CSE in their contexts. It shows strategies for using digital solutions as a supportive tool for diverse types of CSE delivery, displaying the power of innovative digital solutions in further advancing CSE. It offers a list of five recommendations of best practices to ensure successful efforts and five case studies across four regions.

Last year saw a relentless assault on human rights, leaving many feeling anxious and pessimistic about the prospects for people from all walks of life to come together. It was a year of wartime atrocities livestreamed onto billions of smartphones in real time. And if climate, security and human rights fared poorly, the economy did not do much better and many countries cut their aid budgets.  Against this backdrop, we launched our new strategy, Come Together 2028. IPPF Member Associations (MAs) were still able to deliver a total of 222.4 million sexual and reproductive health services during 2023. We served 71.2 million clients. Pretty impressive in such a challenging year in which we embarked on our new strategy.  Read more by downloading the 2023 IPPF Annual Performance Report. 

What is menopause? Menopause is a retrospective diagnosis: it is defined after a woman or person who can menstruate is amenorrheic for 12 months. At this time, estrogen levels are diminished, the ovaries no longer ovulate and spontaneous conception is no longer possible. The average age of the final menstrual period (FMP) is between 46-52 years of age globally. Early menopause occurs between the ages of 40-45 and premature ovarian insufficiency refers to menopause occurring spontaneously before 40 years of age. Of note, although most professional societies define menopause occurring following 12 months of amenorrhea, the United Kingdom Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health defines it as 12 months in people over the age of 50 years of age and 24 months in those between 40-50 years of age. The menopause transition is the start of menopausal symptoms and/or menstrual irregularities until the FMP. Perimenopause includes the menopause transition, during which time contraception may continue to be needed, and one year after the FMP, when menopause is officially diagnosed. Both menopause and perimenopause are a time of great transition. Perimenopause is associated with significant hormonal fluctuations with an eventual reduction in ovarian estrogen production. In the initial years after the FMP, estrogen levels may still fluctuate but, over time, will diminish to a persistent low estrogen state. These hormonal changes can have significant physical, emotional, and mental effects. Menopause occurs naturally but other types exist. Surgical menopause occurs when both ovaries are surgically removed. Menopause can also be induced after medical treatments, such as with chemotherapy, that result in cessation of ovarian function which may be permanent or reversible. Globally, life expectancy is increasing, albeit varying by geographical location. Some people may spend decades in perimenopause and menopause. Often the needs of those in perimenopause/menopause are unmet; recognizing and addressing these needs are essential to ensure the health and wellness of this often-overlooked population. Purpose of the Statement The purpose of this statement is to define the health impact of perimenopause and menopause and review therapeutic options to address the healthcare needs of this population.

Recognizing the significant global impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), this statement affirms IPPF’s commitment to people-centred STI care as a critical aspect of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and well-being. A holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights acknowledges that true sexual and reproductive well-being extends beyond the prevention and treatment of diseases. It emphasizes the importance of promoting healthy, satisfying sexual and reproductive experiences. This includes advocating for personcentred care, encouraging self-care strategies, and supporting the development of innovative healthcare delivery models tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals in various circumstances and contexts, particularly reaching those who are often excluded and marginalized. This statement updates the latest information on STIs. It provides practical recommendations for IPPF Member Associations on how to develop a comprehensive, people-centred approach to STI care, emphasizing integrated services, adherence to guidelines, rights-based care, community engagement, advocacy, and a positive perspective on sexual health and well-being.