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Spotlight

A selection of stories from across the Federation

2024 trends
Story

What does the year 2024 hold for us?

As the new year begins, we take a look at the trends and challenges ahead for sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Staff in PPE
story

| 04 June 2020

In pictures: Resilience and innovation in the face of COVID-19

Healthcare providers in their PPE Lebanon Association for Family Health (SALAMA) “After the extension of the general mobilization and in order to provide the services to the most in need population, we decided to re-open the clinic. For this purpose, we are developing a plan for the work during the next weeks, taking into consideration the protocols and procedures taken in Lebanon. This will include an isolation room before the consultation and an assessment of the patient’s status and any symptoms that may relate to the coronavirus. In addition to all the precaution procedures including separation, our clinic was sterilized by a specialized company.”Lina Sabra, the Executive Director of the Lebanese Association for Family Health (SALAMA) Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Youth volunteers sort through medical donations China Family Planning Association The China Youth Network set up a donation working group and with the support of the China Family Planning Association and Hubei Family Planning Association, they received donations of menstruation supplies, and medical equipment. By March they had successfully donated 5,680 sanitary towels, 3,280 medical face shields, 1,200 hand disinfectants, 925 disposable beddings, 500 air disinfectants and some medical machines to 87 hospitals in Hubei Province. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Erbol, 17, is the chair of the youth committee of the Issyk-Kul branch Reproductive Health Alliance of Kyrgyzstan “At the present time we are using Instagram with detailed information about our organization and articles on sexual and reproductive health issues. We found new technologies and approaches to organize online meetings with the youth volunteers and planning of future branch activities through Zoom. It is planned to consider additional options in creation of channels on Telegram and Twitter because they are very popular among young people.” Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Healthcare providers put together hygiene kits for local communities Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka FPA Sri Lanka assembled 5,000 hygiene kits to be distributed to promote and enable frequent hand washing, personal hygiene and menstrual hygiene among vulnerable women and girls with limited incomes. These women and girls include mothers, widows with children, families who care for a member living with a disability, and women and girls living in slums during lockdown in high-risk areas for COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Healthcare outreach teams distribute contraception and hygiene kits Family Health Association Iran “To reduce the number of visits to our clinics, we made some changes in the way we deliver services. We provide counselling services through online systems and creating different groups for clients to provide online educational training about COVID-19 for them, as well as some components of life skills and SGBV. For the vulnerable groups including sex workers and substance users we distribute contraceptives, COVID-19 preventive packages, and food through the outreach team instead of static clinics.”Zahra Fathi, Executive Director of the Family Health Association Iran (FHA Iran) Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Outreach teams sanitize people's homes in remote communities Sudan Family Planning Association Staff at the Sudan Family Planning Association conduct outreach work in local communities, including offering to sanitize people's homes. Remote areas in Sudan with no medical services will be affected with discontinued mobile clinics services. Access to all family planning, antenatal care, and postnatal care services will be affected due to restricted movement. Sudan, as will many other countries, will be impacted by any decrease in activity in the supply chain for healthcare supplies. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email A watercolour entry for a social media art competition Santé Sexuelle Suisse/Sexuelle Gesundheit Schweiz “With our Youth Network we created an artistic competition on our FB and Instagram platforms on issues such as masturbation, menstruation, coming out, female genitalia, pornography. The aim is to enhance creativity and make young people reflect about sexual and reproductive health and rights in a creative way during the corona pandemic. The aim was also to offer something fun and positive in this difficult time.”Noemi, 24, is the co-founder and coordinator of Santé Sexuelle Suisse/Sexuelle Gesundheit Schweiz's youth network. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Volunteers make hand sanitizer kits at a SFPA clinic. Syria Family Planning Association When the lockdown was announced SFPA had to stop running their mobile clinics but recently resumed this service. To keep the health facilities open they implemented a new shift rota for staff. The clinics are also following an extremely high-standard of sterilization procedures in all facilities to reduce the risk of catching or spreading coronavirus. SFPA started using social media to spread information on COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Belmar Franceshi, Executive Director Asociacion Civil de Planificacion Familiar “The work we do is very important – despite being in our homes, we continue to work, research and look for alternatives to serve the hundreds of people who daily seek our services. It is one more challenge that we must face and will strengthen our actions, our interventions and the activities we carry out daily with communities, women and girls.” Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Enusring client and staff safety with PPE Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines The Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines (FPOP) is working safely with PPE equipment to ensure uninterrupted access to antenatal care and family planning methods for women and young girls through their clinics. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Delivering essential healthcare to women Family Planning Association of Nepal With PPE and hygiene kits FPAN’s healthcare providers can safely engage in delivering essential care to communities, including counselling, contraception methods, safe abortion, HIV/STI care, obstetrics and gynaecology care and sexual and gender-based violence support. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Reaching local communities Family Health Association Bangladesh FPAB key health workers have continued to provide essential sexual and reproductive healthcare in local communities during COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email

Staff in PPE
story

| 29 March 2024

In pictures: Resilience and innovation in the face of COVID-19

Healthcare providers in their PPE Lebanon Association for Family Health (SALAMA) “After the extension of the general mobilization and in order to provide the services to the most in need population, we decided to re-open the clinic. For this purpose, we are developing a plan for the work during the next weeks, taking into consideration the protocols and procedures taken in Lebanon. This will include an isolation room before the consultation and an assessment of the patient’s status and any symptoms that may relate to the coronavirus. In addition to all the precaution procedures including separation, our clinic was sterilized by a specialized company.”Lina Sabra, the Executive Director of the Lebanese Association for Family Health (SALAMA) Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Youth volunteers sort through medical donations China Family Planning Association The China Youth Network set up a donation working group and with the support of the China Family Planning Association and Hubei Family Planning Association, they received donations of menstruation supplies, and medical equipment. By March they had successfully donated 5,680 sanitary towels, 3,280 medical face shields, 1,200 hand disinfectants, 925 disposable beddings, 500 air disinfectants and some medical machines to 87 hospitals in Hubei Province. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Erbol, 17, is the chair of the youth committee of the Issyk-Kul branch Reproductive Health Alliance of Kyrgyzstan “At the present time we are using Instagram with detailed information about our organization and articles on sexual and reproductive health issues. We found new technologies and approaches to organize online meetings with the youth volunteers and planning of future branch activities through Zoom. It is planned to consider additional options in creation of channels on Telegram and Twitter because they are very popular among young people.” Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Healthcare providers put together hygiene kits for local communities Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka FPA Sri Lanka assembled 5,000 hygiene kits to be distributed to promote and enable frequent hand washing, personal hygiene and menstrual hygiene among vulnerable women and girls with limited incomes. These women and girls include mothers, widows with children, families who care for a member living with a disability, and women and girls living in slums during lockdown in high-risk areas for COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Healthcare outreach teams distribute contraception and hygiene kits Family Health Association Iran “To reduce the number of visits to our clinics, we made some changes in the way we deliver services. We provide counselling services through online systems and creating different groups for clients to provide online educational training about COVID-19 for them, as well as some components of life skills and SGBV. For the vulnerable groups including sex workers and substance users we distribute contraceptives, COVID-19 preventive packages, and food through the outreach team instead of static clinics.”Zahra Fathi, Executive Director of the Family Health Association Iran (FHA Iran) Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Outreach teams sanitize people's homes in remote communities Sudan Family Planning Association Staff at the Sudan Family Planning Association conduct outreach work in local communities, including offering to sanitize people's homes. Remote areas in Sudan with no medical services will be affected with discontinued mobile clinics services. Access to all family planning, antenatal care, and postnatal care services will be affected due to restricted movement. Sudan, as will many other countries, will be impacted by any decrease in activity in the supply chain for healthcare supplies. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email A watercolour entry for a social media art competition Santé Sexuelle Suisse/Sexuelle Gesundheit Schweiz “With our Youth Network we created an artistic competition on our FB and Instagram platforms on issues such as masturbation, menstruation, coming out, female genitalia, pornography. The aim is to enhance creativity and make young people reflect about sexual and reproductive health and rights in a creative way during the corona pandemic. The aim was also to offer something fun and positive in this difficult time.”Noemi, 24, is the co-founder and coordinator of Santé Sexuelle Suisse/Sexuelle Gesundheit Schweiz's youth network. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Volunteers make hand sanitizer kits at a SFPA clinic. Syria Family Planning Association When the lockdown was announced SFPA had to stop running their mobile clinics but recently resumed this service. To keep the health facilities open they implemented a new shift rota for staff. The clinics are also following an extremely high-standard of sterilization procedures in all facilities to reduce the risk of catching or spreading coronavirus. SFPA started using social media to spread information on COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Belmar Franceshi, Executive Director Asociacion Civil de Planificacion Familiar “The work we do is very important – despite being in our homes, we continue to work, research and look for alternatives to serve the hundreds of people who daily seek our services. It is one more challenge that we must face and will strengthen our actions, our interventions and the activities we carry out daily with communities, women and girls.” Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Enusring client and staff safety with PPE Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines The Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines (FPOP) is working safely with PPE equipment to ensure uninterrupted access to antenatal care and family planning methods for women and young girls through their clinics. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Delivering essential healthcare to women Family Planning Association of Nepal With PPE and hygiene kits FPAN’s healthcare providers can safely engage in delivering essential care to communities, including counselling, contraception methods, safe abortion, HIV/STI care, obstetrics and gynaecology care and sexual and gender-based violence support. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Reaching local communities Family Health Association Bangladesh FPAB key health workers have continued to provide essential sexual and reproductive healthcare in local communities during COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email

Muna receiving her implant
story

| 15 February 2019

"I’m so happy I now don’t have to worry about contraception for another five years”

In August 2017, weeks of continued and heavy rainfall across Nepal resulted in flash floods and landslides that affected 36 of the 75 districts. Many people lost their homes or were displaced. It was estimated that of those affected, 112,500 were women of reproductive age, including 8,694 pregnant women.  IPPF Humanitarian, through their Member Association, The Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN), activated its emergency response system early on. With funding support from the Australian Government, FPAN and IPPF Humanitarian initially mobilised their response in four of the worst affected districts (Sunsari, Saptari, Bardiya, and Dang). Mobile medical camps were established to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of the affected population, including through the distribution of short and long acting methods of contraception, STI and HIV screening, and GBV referrals. In collaboration with the USAID-SIFPO project, services were then expanded into five more affected districts. IPPF Humanitarian spoke with 21-year old Muna in her home district of Sunsari in Nepal.  “I got married at 16 years old and have two children, a four-year-old girl and two-year-old boy.  In my caste, we get married early, so my parents took me to get an arranged marriage. I was in the 8th class at the time, and returned to school after I got married, but only lasted one year.  My husband works in construction and had to stop working for two weeks when the floods came. When he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid, so it’s been very difficult.  A FPAN social worker told me about the mobile medical camp today. I used to be on the three-month injectable but today I changed to the five-year implant in my arm.  When my youngest child was eight months old I found out I was pregnant again. I decided to discontinue that pregnancy, so I took the five small tablets given to me by my neighbourhood doctor. I was two months pregnant at the time.  From this, I had two days bleeding and cramp like pain, and then weakness. I decided to abort that pregnancy because my youngest will still only eight months old, and I didn’t want any more children.  If I had more than two children, it would be very difficult to feed and educate them, and would badly affect my body too. I’m so happy I now don’t have to worry about contraception for another five years.” Want to know more about safe abortion access? Join IPPF'S I Decide movement

Muna receiving her implant
story

| 29 March 2024

"I’m so happy I now don’t have to worry about contraception for another five years”

In August 2017, weeks of continued and heavy rainfall across Nepal resulted in flash floods and landslides that affected 36 of the 75 districts. Many people lost their homes or were displaced. It was estimated that of those affected, 112,500 were women of reproductive age, including 8,694 pregnant women.  IPPF Humanitarian, through their Member Association, The Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN), activated its emergency response system early on. With funding support from the Australian Government, FPAN and IPPF Humanitarian initially mobilised their response in four of the worst affected districts (Sunsari, Saptari, Bardiya, and Dang). Mobile medical camps were established to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of the affected population, including through the distribution of short and long acting methods of contraception, STI and HIV screening, and GBV referrals. In collaboration with the USAID-SIFPO project, services were then expanded into five more affected districts. IPPF Humanitarian spoke with 21-year old Muna in her home district of Sunsari in Nepal.  “I got married at 16 years old and have two children, a four-year-old girl and two-year-old boy.  In my caste, we get married early, so my parents took me to get an arranged marriage. I was in the 8th class at the time, and returned to school after I got married, but only lasted one year.  My husband works in construction and had to stop working for two weeks when the floods came. When he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid, so it’s been very difficult.  A FPAN social worker told me about the mobile medical camp today. I used to be on the three-month injectable but today I changed to the five-year implant in my arm.  When my youngest child was eight months old I found out I was pregnant again. I decided to discontinue that pregnancy, so I took the five small tablets given to me by my neighbourhood doctor. I was two months pregnant at the time.  From this, I had two days bleeding and cramp like pain, and then weakness. I decided to abort that pregnancy because my youngest will still only eight months old, and I didn’t want any more children.  If I had more than two children, it would be very difficult to feed and educate them, and would badly affect my body too. I’m so happy I now don’t have to worry about contraception for another five years.” Want to know more about safe abortion access? Join IPPF'S I Decide movement

Chathurika, Sri Lanka
story

| 16 August 2018

Inspiring young people like Chathurika play a crucial role in crisis response

In May 2017, flash flooding in Sri Lanka triggered landslides resulting in many people losing their homes, forcing them to seek shelter in camps. IPPF’s member association the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka (FPASL) assisted those affected and provided health camps with the support of IPPF Humanitarian. Chathurika Jayalath, a youth volunteer for FPASL, took part in the response. Chathurika is a 24-year-old student from Kegalle, a large town about 80 km from Colombo, and she has been working with FPASL for the last three years. She started out as a youth volunteer and recently became a member of the Youth Technical Advisory Committee. During her engagement with FPASL, Chathurika has learned about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender issues and has organized workshops on similar topics in her own community. In fact, she runs a youth club at her university to inform her peers about SRHR.  Shortly after the floods began, Chathurika received a WhatsApp message from FPASL where they called for youth volunteers to take part in the response.  “I wanted to volunteer during the response,” Chathurika told us. “As a university student I didn’t have money to donate so I figured I could contribute with my strength instead. I volunteered in the health camp. There, I assisted the medical staff with basic things such mobilizing affected people, making sure they queued up when seeking health care and packed medicine.” Ongoing SRHR needs, even in a crisis Chathurika is keen to learn more about humanitarian work. She received training with FPASL on the needs of people in humanitarian settings in which she and other trainees were presented with different case studies. “There was particularly one story that struck me. We were told that when the flash floods came, women fled without anything, they fled with the only pair of clothes they were wearing,” recalls Chathurika. “When they reached the camp, they received donated water and food. Some of them got their period while living in the camp. They did not have any sanitary pads nor additional cloths. Some of them even fled without underwear. This story made me realize that people’s SRHR needs don’t disappear just because there is a crisis.” Youth empowerment is important to Chathurika and she would like to continue this work while learning more about development and humanitarian work. She is a firm believer “that young people can contribute. Through my own experience I have seen that it is possible.”   

Chathurika, Sri Lanka
story

| 29 March 2024

Inspiring young people like Chathurika play a crucial role in crisis response

In May 2017, flash flooding in Sri Lanka triggered landslides resulting in many people losing their homes, forcing them to seek shelter in camps. IPPF’s member association the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka (FPASL) assisted those affected and provided health camps with the support of IPPF Humanitarian. Chathurika Jayalath, a youth volunteer for FPASL, took part in the response. Chathurika is a 24-year-old student from Kegalle, a large town about 80 km from Colombo, and she has been working with FPASL for the last three years. She started out as a youth volunteer and recently became a member of the Youth Technical Advisory Committee. During her engagement with FPASL, Chathurika has learned about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender issues and has organized workshops on similar topics in her own community. In fact, she runs a youth club at her university to inform her peers about SRHR.  Shortly after the floods began, Chathurika received a WhatsApp message from FPASL where they called for youth volunteers to take part in the response.  “I wanted to volunteer during the response,” Chathurika told us. “As a university student I didn’t have money to donate so I figured I could contribute with my strength instead. I volunteered in the health camp. There, I assisted the medical staff with basic things such mobilizing affected people, making sure they queued up when seeking health care and packed medicine.” Ongoing SRHR needs, even in a crisis Chathurika is keen to learn more about humanitarian work. She received training with FPASL on the needs of people in humanitarian settings in which she and other trainees were presented with different case studies. “There was particularly one story that struck me. We were told that when the flash floods came, women fled without anything, they fled with the only pair of clothes they were wearing,” recalls Chathurika. “When they reached the camp, they received donated water and food. Some of them got their period while living in the camp. They did not have any sanitary pads nor additional cloths. Some of them even fled without underwear. This story made me realize that people’s SRHR needs don’t disappear just because there is a crisis.” Youth empowerment is important to Chathurika and she would like to continue this work while learning more about development and humanitarian work. She is a firm believer “that young people can contribute. Through my own experience I have seen that it is possible.”   

Leilani
story

| 29 March 2018

"I have a feeling the future will be better"

Leiti is a Tongan word to describe transgender women, it comes from the English word “lady”. In Tonga the transgender community is organized by the Tonga Leiti Association (TLA), and with the support of Tonga Family Health Association (TFHA). Together they are educating people to help stop the discrimination and stigma surrounding the Leiti community. Leilani, who identifies as a leiti, has been working with the Tonga Leiti Association, supported by Tonga Health Family Association to battle the stigma surrounding the leiti and LGBTI+ community in Tonga. She says "I started to dress like a leiti at a very young age. Being a leiti in a Tongan family is very difficult because being a leiti or having a son who’s a leiti are considered shameful, so for the family (it) is very difficult to accept us. Many leitis run away from their families." Frequently facing abuse Access to health care and sexual and reproductive health service is another difficulty the leiti community face: going to public clinics, they often face abuse and are more likely to be ignored or dismissed by staff. When they are turned away from other clinics, Leilani knows she can always rely on Tonga Health Family Association for help. 'I think Tonga Family Health has done a lot up to now. They always come and do our annual HIV testing and they supply us (with) some condom because we do the condom distribution here in Tonga and if we have a case in our members or anybody come to our office we refer them to Tonga Family Health. They really, really help us a lot. They (are the) only one that can understand us." Tonga Family Health Association and Tonga Leiti Association partnership allows for both organisations to attend training workshops run by one another. A valuable opportunity not only for clinic staff but for volunteers like Leilani. "When the Tonga Family Health run the training they always ask some members from TLA to come and train with them and we do the same with them. When I give a presentation at the TFHA's clinic, I share with people what we do; I ask them for to change their mindset and how they look about us." Overcoming stigma and discrimination  With her training, Leilani visits schools to help educate, inform and overcome the stigma and discrimination surrounding the leiti community. Many young leiti's drop out of school at an early age due to verbal, physical and in some cases sexual abuse.  Slowly, Leilani is seeing a positive change in the schools she visits.  “We go to school because there a lot of discrimination of the leiti's in high school and primary school too. I have been going from school to school for two years. My plan to visit all the schools in Tonga. We mostly go to all-boys schools is because discrimination in school is mostly done by boys. I was very happy last year when I went to a boys school and so how they really appreciate the work and how well they treated the Leiti's in the school." In February, Tonga was hit by tropical cyclone Gita, the worst cyclone to hit the island in over 60 years. Leilani worries that not enough is being done to ensure the needs of the Leiti and LGBTI+ community is being met during and post humanitarian disasters. "We are one of the vulnerable groups, after the cyclone Gita we should be one of the first priority for the government, or the hospital or any donations. Cause our life is very unique and we are easy to harm." Despite the hardships surrounding the leiti community, Leilani is hopeful for the future, "I can see a lot of families that now accept leiti's in their house and they treat them well. I have a feeling the future will be better. Please stop discriminating against us, but love us. We are here to stay, we are not here to chase away."    Watch the Humanitarian teams response to Cyclone Gita

Leilani
story

| 29 March 2024

"I have a feeling the future will be better"

Leiti is a Tongan word to describe transgender women, it comes from the English word “lady”. In Tonga the transgender community is organized by the Tonga Leiti Association (TLA), and with the support of Tonga Family Health Association (TFHA). Together they are educating people to help stop the discrimination and stigma surrounding the Leiti community. Leilani, who identifies as a leiti, has been working with the Tonga Leiti Association, supported by Tonga Health Family Association to battle the stigma surrounding the leiti and LGBTI+ community in Tonga. She says "I started to dress like a leiti at a very young age. Being a leiti in a Tongan family is very difficult because being a leiti or having a son who’s a leiti are considered shameful, so for the family (it) is very difficult to accept us. Many leitis run away from their families." Frequently facing abuse Access to health care and sexual and reproductive health service is another difficulty the leiti community face: going to public clinics, they often face abuse and are more likely to be ignored or dismissed by staff. When they are turned away from other clinics, Leilani knows she can always rely on Tonga Health Family Association for help. 'I think Tonga Family Health has done a lot up to now. They always come and do our annual HIV testing and they supply us (with) some condom because we do the condom distribution here in Tonga and if we have a case in our members or anybody come to our office we refer them to Tonga Family Health. They really, really help us a lot. They (are the) only one that can understand us." Tonga Family Health Association and Tonga Leiti Association partnership allows for both organisations to attend training workshops run by one another. A valuable opportunity not only for clinic staff but for volunteers like Leilani. "When the Tonga Family Health run the training they always ask some members from TLA to come and train with them and we do the same with them. When I give a presentation at the TFHA's clinic, I share with people what we do; I ask them for to change their mindset and how they look about us." Overcoming stigma and discrimination  With her training, Leilani visits schools to help educate, inform and overcome the stigma and discrimination surrounding the leiti community. Many young leiti's drop out of school at an early age due to verbal, physical and in some cases sexual abuse.  Slowly, Leilani is seeing a positive change in the schools she visits.  “We go to school because there a lot of discrimination of the leiti's in high school and primary school too. I have been going from school to school for two years. My plan to visit all the schools in Tonga. We mostly go to all-boys schools is because discrimination in school is mostly done by boys. I was very happy last year when I went to a boys school and so how they really appreciate the work and how well they treated the Leiti's in the school." In February, Tonga was hit by tropical cyclone Gita, the worst cyclone to hit the island in over 60 years. Leilani worries that not enough is being done to ensure the needs of the Leiti and LGBTI+ community is being met during and post humanitarian disasters. "We are one of the vulnerable groups, after the cyclone Gita we should be one of the first priority for the government, or the hospital or any donations. Cause our life is very unique and we are easy to harm." Despite the hardships surrounding the leiti community, Leilani is hopeful for the future, "I can see a lot of families that now accept leiti's in their house and they treat them well. I have a feeling the future will be better. Please stop discriminating against us, but love us. We are here to stay, we are not here to chase away."    Watch the Humanitarian teams response to Cyclone Gita

Nursing Supervisor Ms. Lovely Yasmin
story

| 08 February 2018

"...now I can provide MR (menstrual regulation) services efficiently."

Menstrual regulation, the method of establishing non-pregnancy for a woman at risk of unintended pregnancy, has been a part of Bangladesh’s family planning program since 1979. It is allowed up to 10 –12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. Nursing Supervisor Ms. Lovely Yasmin is one of several staff members providing family planning, menstrual regulation, and post-procedure care services at Upzila Health Complex in Belkuchi, Bangladesh. “Before this training we used to sometimes advise people on such services and provided menstrual regulation (MR) services but after the training I’ve have become and confident and efficient in providing MR services,” she says. “Earlier there could possibly have been mistake but now I can provide MR services efficiently and perfectly. I can now provide MR services in more organized manner.” But while Yasmin, who has worked in family planning for 16 years, says that the recent training has increased her confidence in properly doing MR procedures, the health complex still lacks basic supplies. “There were difficulties due to limited equipment,” she says. “We sometimes have to use personal equipment.” But, she says, the presence of Kit 8 has made life easier. “Prior to this kit, many clients did not complete the full course of medical as advices due to financial issues… during floods there are many hardships including financial difficulty,” she says. “However with this kit, most of the medicines are provided and clients are easily managing on their own.”

Nursing Supervisor Ms. Lovely Yasmin
story

| 29 March 2024

"...now I can provide MR (menstrual regulation) services efficiently."

Menstrual regulation, the method of establishing non-pregnancy for a woman at risk of unintended pregnancy, has been a part of Bangladesh’s family planning program since 1979. It is allowed up to 10 –12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. Nursing Supervisor Ms. Lovely Yasmin is one of several staff members providing family planning, menstrual regulation, and post-procedure care services at Upzila Health Complex in Belkuchi, Bangladesh. “Before this training we used to sometimes advise people on such services and provided menstrual regulation (MR) services but after the training I’ve have become and confident and efficient in providing MR services,” she says. “Earlier there could possibly have been mistake but now I can provide MR services efficiently and perfectly. I can now provide MR services in more organized manner.” But while Yasmin, who has worked in family planning for 16 years, says that the recent training has increased her confidence in properly doing MR procedures, the health complex still lacks basic supplies. “There were difficulties due to limited equipment,” she says. “We sometimes have to use personal equipment.” But, she says, the presence of Kit 8 has made life easier. “Prior to this kit, many clients did not complete the full course of medical as advices due to financial issues… during floods there are many hardships including financial difficulty,” she says. “However with this kit, most of the medicines are provided and clients are easily managing on their own.”

Client at the hospital
story

| 08 February 2018

“After the menstrual regulations services I was prescribed a few medicines which I could not buy due to poor financial condition”

Menstrual regulation, the method of establishing non-pregnancy for a woman at risk of unintended pregnancy, has been a part of Bangladesh’s family planning program since 1979. It is allowed up to 10 –12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. When Shana Khatun, a mother of three, became pregnant again she says she began to feel very weak and had issues with massive bleeding.Citing her age and the possibility of further medical complications, Khatun decided to undergo a menstrual regulation procedure. “But if the hospital and services weren’t there then I would have had to have continued with my pregnancy, even when (I do) not want another child” she says. Khatun says that the procedure went well, but that without the presence of medicine found in Kit 8 she would have lacked post-operation medicine. “After the menstrual regulations services I was prescribed a few medicines which I could not buy due to poor financial condition,” she says. “But the hospital gave me a number of medicines that I could take.” And while Khatun had talked with women about various family planning methods, she didn’t feel she could talk with anyone aside from her husband about getting the procedure. “I feared they would treat me poorly (the hospital),” she says. But Kahtun says she found the hospital trustworthy and helpful, even when she was suffering complications such as mass bleeding. “I will be very cautious that I should not get pregnant again however in event if I get pregnant again then I will come to this hospital only,” she says.

Client at the hospital
story

| 29 March 2024

“After the menstrual regulations services I was prescribed a few medicines which I could not buy due to poor financial condition”

Menstrual regulation, the method of establishing non-pregnancy for a woman at risk of unintended pregnancy, has been a part of Bangladesh’s family planning program since 1979. It is allowed up to 10 –12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. When Shana Khatun, a mother of three, became pregnant again she says she began to feel very weak and had issues with massive bleeding.Citing her age and the possibility of further medical complications, Khatun decided to undergo a menstrual regulation procedure. “But if the hospital and services weren’t there then I would have had to have continued with my pregnancy, even when (I do) not want another child” she says. Khatun says that the procedure went well, but that without the presence of medicine found in Kit 8 she would have lacked post-operation medicine. “After the menstrual regulations services I was prescribed a few medicines which I could not buy due to poor financial condition,” she says. “But the hospital gave me a number of medicines that I could take.” And while Khatun had talked with women about various family planning methods, she didn’t feel she could talk with anyone aside from her husband about getting the procedure. “I feared they would treat me poorly (the hospital),” she says. But Kahtun says she found the hospital trustworthy and helpful, even when she was suffering complications such as mass bleeding. “I will be very cautious that I should not get pregnant again however in event if I get pregnant again then I will come to this hospital only,” she says.

Staff in PPE
story

| 04 June 2020

In pictures: Resilience and innovation in the face of COVID-19

Healthcare providers in their PPE Lebanon Association for Family Health (SALAMA) “After the extension of the general mobilization and in order to provide the services to the most in need population, we decided to re-open the clinic. For this purpose, we are developing a plan for the work during the next weeks, taking into consideration the protocols and procedures taken in Lebanon. This will include an isolation room before the consultation and an assessment of the patient’s status and any symptoms that may relate to the coronavirus. In addition to all the precaution procedures including separation, our clinic was sterilized by a specialized company.”Lina Sabra, the Executive Director of the Lebanese Association for Family Health (SALAMA) Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Youth volunteers sort through medical donations China Family Planning Association The China Youth Network set up a donation working group and with the support of the China Family Planning Association and Hubei Family Planning Association, they received donations of menstruation supplies, and medical equipment. By March they had successfully donated 5,680 sanitary towels, 3,280 medical face shields, 1,200 hand disinfectants, 925 disposable beddings, 500 air disinfectants and some medical machines to 87 hospitals in Hubei Province. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Erbol, 17, is the chair of the youth committee of the Issyk-Kul branch Reproductive Health Alliance of Kyrgyzstan “At the present time we are using Instagram with detailed information about our organization and articles on sexual and reproductive health issues. We found new technologies and approaches to organize online meetings with the youth volunteers and planning of future branch activities through Zoom. It is planned to consider additional options in creation of channels on Telegram and Twitter because they are very popular among young people.” Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Healthcare providers put together hygiene kits for local communities Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka FPA Sri Lanka assembled 5,000 hygiene kits to be distributed to promote and enable frequent hand washing, personal hygiene and menstrual hygiene among vulnerable women and girls with limited incomes. These women and girls include mothers, widows with children, families who care for a member living with a disability, and women and girls living in slums during lockdown in high-risk areas for COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Healthcare outreach teams distribute contraception and hygiene kits Family Health Association Iran “To reduce the number of visits to our clinics, we made some changes in the way we deliver services. We provide counselling services through online systems and creating different groups for clients to provide online educational training about COVID-19 for them, as well as some components of life skills and SGBV. For the vulnerable groups including sex workers and substance users we distribute contraceptives, COVID-19 preventive packages, and food through the outreach team instead of static clinics.”Zahra Fathi, Executive Director of the Family Health Association Iran (FHA Iran) Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Outreach teams sanitize people's homes in remote communities Sudan Family Planning Association Staff at the Sudan Family Planning Association conduct outreach work in local communities, including offering to sanitize people's homes. Remote areas in Sudan with no medical services will be affected with discontinued mobile clinics services. Access to all family planning, antenatal care, and postnatal care services will be affected due to restricted movement. Sudan, as will many other countries, will be impacted by any decrease in activity in the supply chain for healthcare supplies. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email A watercolour entry for a social media art competition Santé Sexuelle Suisse/Sexuelle Gesundheit Schweiz “With our Youth Network we created an artistic competition on our FB and Instagram platforms on issues such as masturbation, menstruation, coming out, female genitalia, pornography. The aim is to enhance creativity and make young people reflect about sexual and reproductive health and rights in a creative way during the corona pandemic. The aim was also to offer something fun and positive in this difficult time.”Noemi, 24, is the co-founder and coordinator of Santé Sexuelle Suisse/Sexuelle Gesundheit Schweiz's youth network. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Volunteers make hand sanitizer kits at a SFPA clinic. Syria Family Planning Association When the lockdown was announced SFPA had to stop running their mobile clinics but recently resumed this service. To keep the health facilities open they implemented a new shift rota for staff. The clinics are also following an extremely high-standard of sterilization procedures in all facilities to reduce the risk of catching or spreading coronavirus. SFPA started using social media to spread information on COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Belmar Franceshi, Executive Director Asociacion Civil de Planificacion Familiar “The work we do is very important – despite being in our homes, we continue to work, research and look for alternatives to serve the hundreds of people who daily seek our services. It is one more challenge that we must face and will strengthen our actions, our interventions and the activities we carry out daily with communities, women and girls.” Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Enusring client and staff safety with PPE Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines The Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines (FPOP) is working safely with PPE equipment to ensure uninterrupted access to antenatal care and family planning methods for women and young girls through their clinics. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Delivering essential healthcare to women Family Planning Association of Nepal With PPE and hygiene kits FPAN’s healthcare providers can safely engage in delivering essential care to communities, including counselling, contraception methods, safe abortion, HIV/STI care, obstetrics and gynaecology care and sexual and gender-based violence support. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Reaching local communities Family Health Association Bangladesh FPAB key health workers have continued to provide essential sexual and reproductive healthcare in local communities during COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email

Staff in PPE
story

| 29 March 2024

In pictures: Resilience and innovation in the face of COVID-19

Healthcare providers in their PPE Lebanon Association for Family Health (SALAMA) “After the extension of the general mobilization and in order to provide the services to the most in need population, we decided to re-open the clinic. For this purpose, we are developing a plan for the work during the next weeks, taking into consideration the protocols and procedures taken in Lebanon. This will include an isolation room before the consultation and an assessment of the patient’s status and any symptoms that may relate to the coronavirus. In addition to all the precaution procedures including separation, our clinic was sterilized by a specialized company.”Lina Sabra, the Executive Director of the Lebanese Association for Family Health (SALAMA) Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Youth volunteers sort through medical donations China Family Planning Association The China Youth Network set up a donation working group and with the support of the China Family Planning Association and Hubei Family Planning Association, they received donations of menstruation supplies, and medical equipment. By March they had successfully donated 5,680 sanitary towels, 3,280 medical face shields, 1,200 hand disinfectants, 925 disposable beddings, 500 air disinfectants and some medical machines to 87 hospitals in Hubei Province. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Erbol, 17, is the chair of the youth committee of the Issyk-Kul branch Reproductive Health Alliance of Kyrgyzstan “At the present time we are using Instagram with detailed information about our organization and articles on sexual and reproductive health issues. We found new technologies and approaches to organize online meetings with the youth volunteers and planning of future branch activities through Zoom. It is planned to consider additional options in creation of channels on Telegram and Twitter because they are very popular among young people.” Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Healthcare providers put together hygiene kits for local communities Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka FPA Sri Lanka assembled 5,000 hygiene kits to be distributed to promote and enable frequent hand washing, personal hygiene and menstrual hygiene among vulnerable women and girls with limited incomes. These women and girls include mothers, widows with children, families who care for a member living with a disability, and women and girls living in slums during lockdown in high-risk areas for COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Healthcare outreach teams distribute contraception and hygiene kits Family Health Association Iran “To reduce the number of visits to our clinics, we made some changes in the way we deliver services. We provide counselling services through online systems and creating different groups for clients to provide online educational training about COVID-19 for them, as well as some components of life skills and SGBV. For the vulnerable groups including sex workers and substance users we distribute contraceptives, COVID-19 preventive packages, and food through the outreach team instead of static clinics.”Zahra Fathi, Executive Director of the Family Health Association Iran (FHA Iran) Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Outreach teams sanitize people's homes in remote communities Sudan Family Planning Association Staff at the Sudan Family Planning Association conduct outreach work in local communities, including offering to sanitize people's homes. Remote areas in Sudan with no medical services will be affected with discontinued mobile clinics services. Access to all family planning, antenatal care, and postnatal care services will be affected due to restricted movement. Sudan, as will many other countries, will be impacted by any decrease in activity in the supply chain for healthcare supplies. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email A watercolour entry for a social media art competition Santé Sexuelle Suisse/Sexuelle Gesundheit Schweiz “With our Youth Network we created an artistic competition on our FB and Instagram platforms on issues such as masturbation, menstruation, coming out, female genitalia, pornography. The aim is to enhance creativity and make young people reflect about sexual and reproductive health and rights in a creative way during the corona pandemic. The aim was also to offer something fun and positive in this difficult time.”Noemi, 24, is the co-founder and coordinator of Santé Sexuelle Suisse/Sexuelle Gesundheit Schweiz's youth network. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Volunteers make hand sanitizer kits at a SFPA clinic. Syria Family Planning Association When the lockdown was announced SFPA had to stop running their mobile clinics but recently resumed this service. To keep the health facilities open they implemented a new shift rota for staff. The clinics are also following an extremely high-standard of sterilization procedures in all facilities to reduce the risk of catching or spreading coronavirus. SFPA started using social media to spread information on COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Belmar Franceshi, Executive Director Asociacion Civil de Planificacion Familiar “The work we do is very important – despite being in our homes, we continue to work, research and look for alternatives to serve the hundreds of people who daily seek our services. It is one more challenge that we must face and will strengthen our actions, our interventions and the activities we carry out daily with communities, women and girls.” Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Enusring client and staff safety with PPE Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines The Family Planning Organisation of the Philippines (FPOP) is working safely with PPE equipment to ensure uninterrupted access to antenatal care and family planning methods for women and young girls through their clinics. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Delivering essential healthcare to women Family Planning Association of Nepal With PPE and hygiene kits FPAN’s healthcare providers can safely engage in delivering essential care to communities, including counselling, contraception methods, safe abortion, HIV/STI care, obstetrics and gynaecology care and sexual and gender-based violence support. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email Reaching local communities Family Health Association Bangladesh FPAB key health workers have continued to provide essential sexual and reproductive healthcare in local communities during COVID-19. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share via WhatsApp Share via Email

Muna receiving her implant
story

| 15 February 2019

"I’m so happy I now don’t have to worry about contraception for another five years”

In August 2017, weeks of continued and heavy rainfall across Nepal resulted in flash floods and landslides that affected 36 of the 75 districts. Many people lost their homes or were displaced. It was estimated that of those affected, 112,500 were women of reproductive age, including 8,694 pregnant women.  IPPF Humanitarian, through their Member Association, The Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN), activated its emergency response system early on. With funding support from the Australian Government, FPAN and IPPF Humanitarian initially mobilised their response in four of the worst affected districts (Sunsari, Saptari, Bardiya, and Dang). Mobile medical camps were established to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of the affected population, including through the distribution of short and long acting methods of contraception, STI and HIV screening, and GBV referrals. In collaboration with the USAID-SIFPO project, services were then expanded into five more affected districts. IPPF Humanitarian spoke with 21-year old Muna in her home district of Sunsari in Nepal.  “I got married at 16 years old and have two children, a four-year-old girl and two-year-old boy.  In my caste, we get married early, so my parents took me to get an arranged marriage. I was in the 8th class at the time, and returned to school after I got married, but only lasted one year.  My husband works in construction and had to stop working for two weeks when the floods came. When he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid, so it’s been very difficult.  A FPAN social worker told me about the mobile medical camp today. I used to be on the three-month injectable but today I changed to the five-year implant in my arm.  When my youngest child was eight months old I found out I was pregnant again. I decided to discontinue that pregnancy, so I took the five small tablets given to me by my neighbourhood doctor. I was two months pregnant at the time.  From this, I had two days bleeding and cramp like pain, and then weakness. I decided to abort that pregnancy because my youngest will still only eight months old, and I didn’t want any more children.  If I had more than two children, it would be very difficult to feed and educate them, and would badly affect my body too. I’m so happy I now don’t have to worry about contraception for another five years.” Want to know more about safe abortion access? Join IPPF'S I Decide movement

Muna receiving her implant
story

| 29 March 2024

"I’m so happy I now don’t have to worry about contraception for another five years”

In August 2017, weeks of continued and heavy rainfall across Nepal resulted in flash floods and landslides that affected 36 of the 75 districts. Many people lost their homes or were displaced. It was estimated that of those affected, 112,500 were women of reproductive age, including 8,694 pregnant women.  IPPF Humanitarian, through their Member Association, The Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN), activated its emergency response system early on. With funding support from the Australian Government, FPAN and IPPF Humanitarian initially mobilised their response in four of the worst affected districts (Sunsari, Saptari, Bardiya, and Dang). Mobile medical camps were established to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of the affected population, including through the distribution of short and long acting methods of contraception, STI and HIV screening, and GBV referrals. In collaboration with the USAID-SIFPO project, services were then expanded into five more affected districts. IPPF Humanitarian spoke with 21-year old Muna in her home district of Sunsari in Nepal.  “I got married at 16 years old and have two children, a four-year-old girl and two-year-old boy.  In my caste, we get married early, so my parents took me to get an arranged marriage. I was in the 8th class at the time, and returned to school after I got married, but only lasted one year.  My husband works in construction and had to stop working for two weeks when the floods came. When he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid, so it’s been very difficult.  A FPAN social worker told me about the mobile medical camp today. I used to be on the three-month injectable but today I changed to the five-year implant in my arm.  When my youngest child was eight months old I found out I was pregnant again. I decided to discontinue that pregnancy, so I took the five small tablets given to me by my neighbourhood doctor. I was two months pregnant at the time.  From this, I had two days bleeding and cramp like pain, and then weakness. I decided to abort that pregnancy because my youngest will still only eight months old, and I didn’t want any more children.  If I had more than two children, it would be very difficult to feed and educate them, and would badly affect my body too. I’m so happy I now don’t have to worry about contraception for another five years.” Want to know more about safe abortion access? Join IPPF'S I Decide movement

Chathurika, Sri Lanka
story

| 16 August 2018

Inspiring young people like Chathurika play a crucial role in crisis response

In May 2017, flash flooding in Sri Lanka triggered landslides resulting in many people losing their homes, forcing them to seek shelter in camps. IPPF’s member association the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka (FPASL) assisted those affected and provided health camps with the support of IPPF Humanitarian. Chathurika Jayalath, a youth volunteer for FPASL, took part in the response. Chathurika is a 24-year-old student from Kegalle, a large town about 80 km from Colombo, and she has been working with FPASL for the last three years. She started out as a youth volunteer and recently became a member of the Youth Technical Advisory Committee. During her engagement with FPASL, Chathurika has learned about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender issues and has organized workshops on similar topics in her own community. In fact, she runs a youth club at her university to inform her peers about SRHR.  Shortly after the floods began, Chathurika received a WhatsApp message from FPASL where they called for youth volunteers to take part in the response.  “I wanted to volunteer during the response,” Chathurika told us. “As a university student I didn’t have money to donate so I figured I could contribute with my strength instead. I volunteered in the health camp. There, I assisted the medical staff with basic things such mobilizing affected people, making sure they queued up when seeking health care and packed medicine.” Ongoing SRHR needs, even in a crisis Chathurika is keen to learn more about humanitarian work. She received training with FPASL on the needs of people in humanitarian settings in which she and other trainees were presented with different case studies. “There was particularly one story that struck me. We were told that when the flash floods came, women fled without anything, they fled with the only pair of clothes they were wearing,” recalls Chathurika. “When they reached the camp, they received donated water and food. Some of them got their period while living in the camp. They did not have any sanitary pads nor additional cloths. Some of them even fled without underwear. This story made me realize that people’s SRHR needs don’t disappear just because there is a crisis.” Youth empowerment is important to Chathurika and she would like to continue this work while learning more about development and humanitarian work. She is a firm believer “that young people can contribute. Through my own experience I have seen that it is possible.”   

Chathurika, Sri Lanka
story

| 29 March 2024

Inspiring young people like Chathurika play a crucial role in crisis response

In May 2017, flash flooding in Sri Lanka triggered landslides resulting in many people losing their homes, forcing them to seek shelter in camps. IPPF’s member association the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka (FPASL) assisted those affected and provided health camps with the support of IPPF Humanitarian. Chathurika Jayalath, a youth volunteer for FPASL, took part in the response. Chathurika is a 24-year-old student from Kegalle, a large town about 80 km from Colombo, and she has been working with FPASL for the last three years. She started out as a youth volunteer and recently became a member of the Youth Technical Advisory Committee. During her engagement with FPASL, Chathurika has learned about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender issues and has organized workshops on similar topics in her own community. In fact, she runs a youth club at her university to inform her peers about SRHR.  Shortly after the floods began, Chathurika received a WhatsApp message from FPASL where they called for youth volunteers to take part in the response.  “I wanted to volunteer during the response,” Chathurika told us. “As a university student I didn’t have money to donate so I figured I could contribute with my strength instead. I volunteered in the health camp. There, I assisted the medical staff with basic things such mobilizing affected people, making sure they queued up when seeking health care and packed medicine.” Ongoing SRHR needs, even in a crisis Chathurika is keen to learn more about humanitarian work. She received training with FPASL on the needs of people in humanitarian settings in which she and other trainees were presented with different case studies. “There was particularly one story that struck me. We were told that when the flash floods came, women fled without anything, they fled with the only pair of clothes they were wearing,” recalls Chathurika. “When they reached the camp, they received donated water and food. Some of them got their period while living in the camp. They did not have any sanitary pads nor additional cloths. Some of them even fled without underwear. This story made me realize that people’s SRHR needs don’t disappear just because there is a crisis.” Youth empowerment is important to Chathurika and she would like to continue this work while learning more about development and humanitarian work. She is a firm believer “that young people can contribute. Through my own experience I have seen that it is possible.”   

Leilani
story

| 29 March 2018

"I have a feeling the future will be better"

Leiti is a Tongan word to describe transgender women, it comes from the English word “lady”. In Tonga the transgender community is organized by the Tonga Leiti Association (TLA), and with the support of Tonga Family Health Association (TFHA). Together they are educating people to help stop the discrimination and stigma surrounding the Leiti community. Leilani, who identifies as a leiti, has been working with the Tonga Leiti Association, supported by Tonga Health Family Association to battle the stigma surrounding the leiti and LGBTI+ community in Tonga. She says "I started to dress like a leiti at a very young age. Being a leiti in a Tongan family is very difficult because being a leiti or having a son who’s a leiti are considered shameful, so for the family (it) is very difficult to accept us. Many leitis run away from their families." Frequently facing abuse Access to health care and sexual and reproductive health service is another difficulty the leiti community face: going to public clinics, they often face abuse and are more likely to be ignored or dismissed by staff. When they are turned away from other clinics, Leilani knows she can always rely on Tonga Health Family Association for help. 'I think Tonga Family Health has done a lot up to now. They always come and do our annual HIV testing and they supply us (with) some condom because we do the condom distribution here in Tonga and if we have a case in our members or anybody come to our office we refer them to Tonga Family Health. They really, really help us a lot. They (are the) only one that can understand us." Tonga Family Health Association and Tonga Leiti Association partnership allows for both organisations to attend training workshops run by one another. A valuable opportunity not only for clinic staff but for volunteers like Leilani. "When the Tonga Family Health run the training they always ask some members from TLA to come and train with them and we do the same with them. When I give a presentation at the TFHA's clinic, I share with people what we do; I ask them for to change their mindset and how they look about us." Overcoming stigma and discrimination  With her training, Leilani visits schools to help educate, inform and overcome the stigma and discrimination surrounding the leiti community. Many young leiti's drop out of school at an early age due to verbal, physical and in some cases sexual abuse.  Slowly, Leilani is seeing a positive change in the schools she visits.  “We go to school because there a lot of discrimination of the leiti's in high school and primary school too. I have been going from school to school for two years. My plan to visit all the schools in Tonga. We mostly go to all-boys schools is because discrimination in school is mostly done by boys. I was very happy last year when I went to a boys school and so how they really appreciate the work and how well they treated the Leiti's in the school." In February, Tonga was hit by tropical cyclone Gita, the worst cyclone to hit the island in over 60 years. Leilani worries that not enough is being done to ensure the needs of the Leiti and LGBTI+ community is being met during and post humanitarian disasters. "We are one of the vulnerable groups, after the cyclone Gita we should be one of the first priority for the government, or the hospital or any donations. Cause our life is very unique and we are easy to harm." Despite the hardships surrounding the leiti community, Leilani is hopeful for the future, "I can see a lot of families that now accept leiti's in their house and they treat them well. I have a feeling the future will be better. Please stop discriminating against us, but love us. We are here to stay, we are not here to chase away."    Watch the Humanitarian teams response to Cyclone Gita

Leilani
story

| 29 March 2024

"I have a feeling the future will be better"

Leiti is a Tongan word to describe transgender women, it comes from the English word “lady”. In Tonga the transgender community is organized by the Tonga Leiti Association (TLA), and with the support of Tonga Family Health Association (TFHA). Together they are educating people to help stop the discrimination and stigma surrounding the Leiti community. Leilani, who identifies as a leiti, has been working with the Tonga Leiti Association, supported by Tonga Health Family Association to battle the stigma surrounding the leiti and LGBTI+ community in Tonga. She says "I started to dress like a leiti at a very young age. Being a leiti in a Tongan family is very difficult because being a leiti or having a son who’s a leiti are considered shameful, so for the family (it) is very difficult to accept us. Many leitis run away from their families." Frequently facing abuse Access to health care and sexual and reproductive health service is another difficulty the leiti community face: going to public clinics, they often face abuse and are more likely to be ignored or dismissed by staff. When they are turned away from other clinics, Leilani knows she can always rely on Tonga Health Family Association for help. 'I think Tonga Family Health has done a lot up to now. They always come and do our annual HIV testing and they supply us (with) some condom because we do the condom distribution here in Tonga and if we have a case in our members or anybody come to our office we refer them to Tonga Family Health. They really, really help us a lot. They (are the) only one that can understand us." Tonga Family Health Association and Tonga Leiti Association partnership allows for both organisations to attend training workshops run by one another. A valuable opportunity not only for clinic staff but for volunteers like Leilani. "When the Tonga Family Health run the training they always ask some members from TLA to come and train with them and we do the same with them. When I give a presentation at the TFHA's clinic, I share with people what we do; I ask them for to change their mindset and how they look about us." Overcoming stigma and discrimination  With her training, Leilani visits schools to help educate, inform and overcome the stigma and discrimination surrounding the leiti community. Many young leiti's drop out of school at an early age due to verbal, physical and in some cases sexual abuse.  Slowly, Leilani is seeing a positive change in the schools she visits.  “We go to school because there a lot of discrimination of the leiti's in high school and primary school too. I have been going from school to school for two years. My plan to visit all the schools in Tonga. We mostly go to all-boys schools is because discrimination in school is mostly done by boys. I was very happy last year when I went to a boys school and so how they really appreciate the work and how well they treated the Leiti's in the school." In February, Tonga was hit by tropical cyclone Gita, the worst cyclone to hit the island in over 60 years. Leilani worries that not enough is being done to ensure the needs of the Leiti and LGBTI+ community is being met during and post humanitarian disasters. "We are one of the vulnerable groups, after the cyclone Gita we should be one of the first priority for the government, or the hospital or any donations. Cause our life is very unique and we are easy to harm." Despite the hardships surrounding the leiti community, Leilani is hopeful for the future, "I can see a lot of families that now accept leiti's in their house and they treat them well. I have a feeling the future will be better. Please stop discriminating against us, but love us. We are here to stay, we are not here to chase away."    Watch the Humanitarian teams response to Cyclone Gita

Nursing Supervisor Ms. Lovely Yasmin
story

| 08 February 2018

"...now I can provide MR (menstrual regulation) services efficiently."

Menstrual regulation, the method of establishing non-pregnancy for a woman at risk of unintended pregnancy, has been a part of Bangladesh’s family planning program since 1979. It is allowed up to 10 –12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. Nursing Supervisor Ms. Lovely Yasmin is one of several staff members providing family planning, menstrual regulation, and post-procedure care services at Upzila Health Complex in Belkuchi, Bangladesh. “Before this training we used to sometimes advise people on such services and provided menstrual regulation (MR) services but after the training I’ve have become and confident and efficient in providing MR services,” she says. “Earlier there could possibly have been mistake but now I can provide MR services efficiently and perfectly. I can now provide MR services in more organized manner.” But while Yasmin, who has worked in family planning for 16 years, says that the recent training has increased her confidence in properly doing MR procedures, the health complex still lacks basic supplies. “There were difficulties due to limited equipment,” she says. “We sometimes have to use personal equipment.” But, she says, the presence of Kit 8 has made life easier. “Prior to this kit, many clients did not complete the full course of medical as advices due to financial issues… during floods there are many hardships including financial difficulty,” she says. “However with this kit, most of the medicines are provided and clients are easily managing on their own.”

Nursing Supervisor Ms. Lovely Yasmin
story

| 29 March 2024

"...now I can provide MR (menstrual regulation) services efficiently."

Menstrual regulation, the method of establishing non-pregnancy for a woman at risk of unintended pregnancy, has been a part of Bangladesh’s family planning program since 1979. It is allowed up to 10 –12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. Nursing Supervisor Ms. Lovely Yasmin is one of several staff members providing family planning, menstrual regulation, and post-procedure care services at Upzila Health Complex in Belkuchi, Bangladesh. “Before this training we used to sometimes advise people on such services and provided menstrual regulation (MR) services but after the training I’ve have become and confident and efficient in providing MR services,” she says. “Earlier there could possibly have been mistake but now I can provide MR services efficiently and perfectly. I can now provide MR services in more organized manner.” But while Yasmin, who has worked in family planning for 16 years, says that the recent training has increased her confidence in properly doing MR procedures, the health complex still lacks basic supplies. “There were difficulties due to limited equipment,” she says. “We sometimes have to use personal equipment.” But, she says, the presence of Kit 8 has made life easier. “Prior to this kit, many clients did not complete the full course of medical as advices due to financial issues… during floods there are many hardships including financial difficulty,” she says. “However with this kit, most of the medicines are provided and clients are easily managing on their own.”

Client at the hospital
story

| 08 February 2018

“After the menstrual regulations services I was prescribed a few medicines which I could not buy due to poor financial condition”

Menstrual regulation, the method of establishing non-pregnancy for a woman at risk of unintended pregnancy, has been a part of Bangladesh’s family planning program since 1979. It is allowed up to 10 –12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. When Shana Khatun, a mother of three, became pregnant again she says she began to feel very weak and had issues with massive bleeding.Citing her age and the possibility of further medical complications, Khatun decided to undergo a menstrual regulation procedure. “But if the hospital and services weren’t there then I would have had to have continued with my pregnancy, even when (I do) not want another child” she says. Khatun says that the procedure went well, but that without the presence of medicine found in Kit 8 she would have lacked post-operation medicine. “After the menstrual regulations services I was prescribed a few medicines which I could not buy due to poor financial condition,” she says. “But the hospital gave me a number of medicines that I could take.” And while Khatun had talked with women about various family planning methods, she didn’t feel she could talk with anyone aside from her husband about getting the procedure. “I feared they would treat me poorly (the hospital),” she says. But Kahtun says she found the hospital trustworthy and helpful, even when she was suffering complications such as mass bleeding. “I will be very cautious that I should not get pregnant again however in event if I get pregnant again then I will come to this hospital only,” she says.

Client at the hospital
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| 29 March 2024

“After the menstrual regulations services I was prescribed a few medicines which I could not buy due to poor financial condition”

Menstrual regulation, the method of establishing non-pregnancy for a woman at risk of unintended pregnancy, has been a part of Bangladesh’s family planning program since 1979. It is allowed up to 10 –12 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. When Shana Khatun, a mother of three, became pregnant again she says she began to feel very weak and had issues with massive bleeding.Citing her age and the possibility of further medical complications, Khatun decided to undergo a menstrual regulation procedure. “But if the hospital and services weren’t there then I would have had to have continued with my pregnancy, even when (I do) not want another child” she says. Khatun says that the procedure went well, but that without the presence of medicine found in Kit 8 she would have lacked post-operation medicine. “After the menstrual regulations services I was prescribed a few medicines which I could not buy due to poor financial condition,” she says. “But the hospital gave me a number of medicines that I could take.” And while Khatun had talked with women about various family planning methods, she didn’t feel she could talk with anyone aside from her husband about getting the procedure. “I feared they would treat me poorly (the hospital),” she says. But Kahtun says she found the hospital trustworthy and helpful, even when she was suffering complications such as mass bleeding. “I will be very cautious that I should not get pregnant again however in event if I get pregnant again then I will come to this hospital only,” she says.