Spotlight
A selection of resources from across the Federation
HIV Theory of Change
Our HIV Theory of Change is to clarify the goals and vision of IPPF’s HIV programme and to articulate the different pathways and strategies IPPF uses to contribute towards its HIV goals and vision.
Filter our resources by:
| 28 November 2018
Tackling child marriage in Malawi
Malawi has one of the most comprehensive laws against child marriage in Africa after a new bill was passed in 2017 increasing the legal marital age from 15 to 18-years-old. The Marriage Act of Malawi in 2017 protects any girl under the age of 18 from marriage and holds parents or other family members who marry their children off below the age accountable and liable to prosecution. But even with the law, cases of child marriage are still happening but community Watch Groups have been set up to help. This is the story of one girl helped by her local watch group. Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) with money from the Japan Trust Fund supports the watch group by building the capacity of its members. Five members of the Jalasi Watch Group have been trained about the law, policies around the issue of child marriage and how they align with the by-laws. © Photos: James Ngechu
| 29 May 2018
Quiz: How much do you know about women’s health?
How much do you know about women’s health?To mark International Day of Action for Women's Health, challenge yourself to find out how much you really know about women’s health around the world.How many women and girls currently have an unmet need for modern contraception?In developing countries, how many women are admitted to hospital after undergoing an unsafe abortion?In sub-Saharan Africa, how many new HIV infections in teens aged 15-19 occur in girls, rather than boys?Are women and girls with disabilities more or less likely to experience gender-based violence compared to women without disabilities?Female genital mutilation (FGM) is most prevalent in Somaliland. How many girls and women there will experience the devastating practice?How many women and girls will be forced into pregnancy because they are denied the contraceptive care they want and need?Good try! Scroll down to share your results with friends. Good job! Scroll down to share your results with friends. Great job! Scroll down to share your results with friends.
| 24 April 2018
Humanitarian disaster in Tonga brings opportunity through access to healthcare
Following the devastation wrecked by Tropical Cyclone Gita on the island of Kingdon of Tonga, the Tonga Family Health Association deployed an emergency response team. The team was able to bring vital sexual and reproductive health care to local communities. By taking services to the people, the team has been able to expand the types of care that many women would not readily access including pap smears and the opportunity to raise awareness around gender-based violence. Combining service delivery, as well as information, is part of our tailored approach to humanitarian crises; ensuring we meet need, wherever it is, whoever requires it, for as long as they want it. Photography © IPPF/Alana Holmberg
| 21 February 2018
Relationships and Sex Education is changing in the UK
Current UK guidelines on relationships and sex education (RSE) haven’t changed since 2000; a review is long overdue. In 2020 relationships and sex education will become compulsory in schools in England. Studies have shown that well-designed and well-taught sex education can support positive sexual health outcomes, such as reducing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection rates. Brook and FPA volunteers want more than that – they want to see issues like consent, support, and mutual respect included and discussed in an open, frank and positive way. Photography © IPPF/Laura Lewis
| 08 February 2018
Small scale innovation in Bangladesh during times of crisis: ensuring reproductive care to local communities
In times of humanitarian crises and disasters, the inability to access health care during floods can have serious repercussions on the local community. As part of their Innovation Programme project, our South Asia office in collaboration with the University of Leicester and the Government of Bangladesh provides reproductive health kits to health centres located in areas most prone to seasonal flooding. Known as 'Kit 8' it contains three months’ worth of medicine and equipment for the management of miscarriage and complications of abortion and menstrual regulation in emergency situations, essential to minimize associated morbidity and mortality. Medical staff are trained to administer procedures and provide post-procedure care. While abortion is considered illegal in Bangladesh, menstrual regulation, which has been a part of the country’s family planning program since 1979, is allowed up to 10–12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. Photography © IPPF/Victoria Milko
| 18 January 2018
Putting people first: providing health care despite funding and staff losses in Burundi
The Association Burundaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial's (ABUBEF) provides vital integrated services to local communities, including contraception, prevention and treatment of HIV, youth-friendly counselling and education, pre-marital counselling, and antenatal and post-natal care. ABUBEF has 18 service points, including static and mobile clinics, and community-based services. An estimated 80% of its clients are poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or under-served. ABUBEF supports young people living with HIV, internally displaced persons, sex workers, drug users and street children. The continuation of many of these vital health services are under threat following the reintroduction of the Global Gag Rule by the US Administration. The Global Gag Rule, or Mexico City Policy as it is formally known, stops US aid to all health programmes run by organisations who perform or counsel on abortion. ABUBEF says: “Almost all contraceptives, HIV reagents, STI drugs, antiretroviral and consumables for HIV management are procured through UNFPA, USAID and US-financed government programmes, which will be affected by the Global Gag Rule.”