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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.

IPPF Director General Tewodros Melesse has defended the record of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in an interview with BBC World News, the BBC’s global television news channel. Speaking to presenter Philippa Thomas on the programme “Impact”, Mr Melesse rubbished claims from the Trump administration – used to justify the withdrawal of US funding – that UNFPA in any way supported coercive family policies in China. He explained that IPPF and UNFPA, with which IPPF partners across the world to provide vital reproductive health care for millions of women and girls – were committed to defending rights and increasing choice. He added that the loss of funding to UNFPA and IPPF – through the re-imposition of the so-called Global Gag Rule by President Trump – would cost the lives of tens of thousands of women and lead to millions of additional unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Subscribe to IPPF's updates!

Even before Cyclone Winston, there was very little knowledge about contraception and sexually transmitted infections in Fiji. IPPF health professionals are now providing the affected population with counselling and advice on family planning and sexual health. 

For many mothers in Fiji, the IPPF outreach established after the Cyclone Winston were the first place where they heard about family planning. They can now decide how many children they want.  Read more stories 

Sulueti was pregnant when the Cyclone Winston hit Fiji. Thanks to IPPF, she received all the essential care and supplies she needed for her pregnancy.  Meet all the mothers and community leaders

Gender-based violence is endemic in Fiji. IPPF staff and community leaders are working to eradicate it.   "I just tell my community: it's time to change." Meet the people behind this change