Compared to many developing countries, HIV prevalence in Nepal is low. Yet there are deep and complex problems around HIV. Stigma remains a huge problem. People living with HIV say they have faced enormous discrimination, including being ostracized by their communities, bullied at school and work, and exposed to insults and even violence.   HIV services and support are central to the work of the Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN). Its staff and volunteers run services around the country, providing HIV counselling, education on prevention and treatment, and community home-based care services. People living with HIV are at the forefront of this work: FPAN employs thousands of community home-based care mobilisers who are themselves HIV-positive, meaning they are able to provide people with clear, sensitive and empathetic support that draws on their own experiences.    Photography © IPPF/Jon Spaull  Read Milan's story and watch the video

Today marks the International Day of the Girl Child. Girls are often the ones to suffer firsthand from the lack of access to sexual and reproductive services. We will continue to fight for girls everywhere to not only have access to health care services but to stand up and shout 'I Decide my future'.

Incessant rains across Sri Lanka during May 2017 affected over half a million people in seven districts. Most affected was the Ratnapura district where over 20,000 people faced flash floods, and where 46 deaths were reported. IPPF Humanitarian, in partnership with FPA Sri Lanka, responded to this catastrophe through the distribution of over 1,000 dignity kits in Ratnapura.   Stories Read more stories about our humanitarian work in Sri Lanka during the floods

The earthquake that struck Nepal in April 2015 caused devastation and destruction that the country has still not recovered from. Almost 9,000 people lost their lives and over 22,000 were injured in Nepal’s worst natural disaster for 80 years.   The earthquake severely disrupted access to healthcare and family planning. Thousands of people were displaced far from their usual clinics or support networks.   In the days and weeks after the earthquake, the Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) took action to make people’s health and family planning needs a top priority. Within 48 hours they were running emergency health camps across the country, dispensing medicines and bringing vital, changing support to thousands of survivors.  Photography © IPPF/Jon Spaull

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