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The Global Gag Rule is a policy that denies vital US funding to organisations that do not sign it. It is a policy that targets abortion and abortion-related services. IPPF refuse to sign the order. By refusing to sign the order, we are forecasted to lose $100 million in funding over the next three years. IPPF believe that every woman and girl has the right to choose and to live free from sexual and reproductive coercion. A year on from the reinstatement and expansion of the Global Gag Rule, we look at the human cost of those affected by the loss of US funding

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.” 

Learn more about the Female Condom, the only female-controlled contraceptive method that protects you against unintended pregnancies and STIs. The video is also available in Spanish 

Toxic fumes due to seismic activity in Manaro Voui volcano, Vanuatu, forced the entire island population to be evacuated. Once the threat level was decreased and the population returned, the Vanuatu Family Health Association, through the International Planned Parenthood Federation, commenced a humanitarian response with mobile health clinics and awareness sessions. The services available through the clinics included pregnancy and delivery support, contraceptives such as condoms, injectables, implants and emergency contraceptives, and screening and management of sexually transmitted infections. Photography © IPPF/Kathleen Prior   Read more

Mexfam, IPPF member association in Mexico, continued to provide free healthcare during and after the record-breaking earthquakes in September 2017, despite many members of staff losing their homes and even family members. This is what resilience looks like and we thank those that continue to provide people with vital sexual and reproductive healthcare.

For over 60 years, IPPF has been at the vanguard of sexual and reproductive health and rights, ensuring universal access to health care for all in a constantly changing world. In 2017 we have met need, wherever it is, whoever required it, from providing health care to garment factory workers in Cambodia, changing perceptions about abortion in rural Uganda, to reaching sex workers and drug users in Macedonia with vital services. Our colleagues at Amodefa, Mozambique, remain dedicated and determined as the impact of the Global Gag Rule takes effect impacting HIV, TB, malaria and family planning projects. Arriving on Ambae Island, Vanuatu, our humanitarian response team hiked for hours up the face of the volcano to reach the worst affected communities following volcanic eruptions to deliver vital medical supplies and services. Mexfam staff demonstrated resilience and commitment continuing to provide free health care during and after Mexico's devastating earthquakes. We are local, through our members and volunteers, and global, through our network. Our responses are locally designed and owned; our interventions rapid and sustainable.

In September 2017, Mexico suffered from a devastating magnitude 7.1 earthquake that left hundreds dead and injured, while crushing buildings and destroying infrastructure. We immediately activated our humanitarian response network which assessed damage, deployed personnel, and made sure our mobile clinics were able to operate and reach local communities with vital healthcare and services. Mexfam, an IPPF member association in Mexico, continued to provide free healthcare during and after the record-breaking earthquakes, despite many members of staff losing their homes and even family members. This is what resilience looks like and we thank those that continue to provide people with vital sexual and reproductive healthcare. Photography © IPPF/Brenda Islas Photos: © IPPF/Brenda Islas 

The continuation of many vital health services Amodefa offers in Mozambique 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. The decision, which will deprive Amodefa of $2 million, 60% of its budget, will have devastating consequences for the fight against HIV in Mozambique, where an estimated 12% of the country’s nearly 30 million population are living with the virus. Photography © IPPF/Grant Lee Neuenburg

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

Milan Khadka once suffered discrimination within his community when they found out he was living with HIV. He is now a community home-based care mobiliser with Family Planning Association of Nepal. He uses his music to educate the youth about HIV and to confront the stigma around HIV. Read Milan's story