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A selection of news from across the Federation

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News item

IPPF-ESEAOR TO HOST FP2030 ASIA-PACIFIC HUB

IPPF-ESEAOR will serve as the host of FP2030 Asia Pacific Regional Hub starting this year. This is the fourth FP2030 Regional Hub, preceded by the North America and Europe Hub in Washington DC, the East and Southern Africa Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, and the North, West and Central Africa Hub in Abuja, Nigeria. This is part of the ongoing transition of FP2030 - from a single secretariat office in the United States and now to a global support structure and presence.
RD's update
news item

| 28 April 2020

COVID-19 Response: Situation in East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, April 2020

This is the first update from the ESEAO Regional Office on the situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This publication highlights the impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), provides a closer view to the impact on our Member Associations, their most urgent needs and how they are working at the frontlines; synthesizes the latest IPPF actions in support of our MAs and recommendations for policy-makers and governments to ensure SRHR is considered an essential health service for all, without discrimination. To read the full update, click here.

RD's update
news_item

| 28 April 2020

COVID-19 Response: Situation in East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, April 2020

This is the first update from the ESEAO Regional Office on the situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This publication highlights the impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), provides a closer view to the impact on our Member Associations, their most urgent needs and how they are working at the frontlines; synthesizes the latest IPPF actions in support of our MAs and recommendations for policy-makers and governments to ensure SRHR is considered an essential health service for all, without discrimination. To read the full update, click here.

IPPF contraception supply disrupted
news item

| 16 April 2020

Contraception and COVID-19: Disrupted supply and access

Globally, the unmet need for contraception remains too high. It’s estimated that 214 million women and girls are not using modern contraception, despite wanting to avoid pregnancy. And this was before the COVID-19 pandemic, which is set to further derail access to contraception for women and girls around the world. Disrupted supply chains Lockdown measures taken globally to respond to COVID-19 are bringing major disruptions to contraceptive supply chains. Large manufacturers of contraceptives in Asia have had to halt production or operate at reduced capacity, and we may see similar developments in other regions as COVID-19 takes hold. For example, the world’s largest condom producer – Malaysia’s Karex Bhd – which makes one in every five condoms globally, was forced to close for a week in March and only given permission to reopen at 50% capacity. Production of IUDs in India – a major global producer of IUDs – has come to a standstill with the Indian government also curtailing export of any product containing progesterone, a key component of a number of contraceptives. In addition to this, the closures of borders and other restrictions imposed in the face of COVID-19 further affect the shipping and distribution of commodities. Delays in the production and delivery of contraceptive supplies at global and national levels will lead to stockouts of supplies, severely impacting contraceptive access. Disrupted access Beyond this, at country level, sexual and reproductive health services, staffing and funds may be diverted to support COVID-19 responses, leaving women and girls unable to access contraceptive and other sexual and reproductive health care. Provision of sexual and reproductive health services will also be affected by infection prevention measures, including health workers’ access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Yet, this is just part of the picture. Even where contraceptives are available and continue to be provided through clinics or pharmacies, the impact of COVID-19 on women’s and girls’ lives will curtail their access in multiple other ways. Quarantine measures and mobility restrictions will affect women’s and girls’ ability to seek out contraceptive services. Financial insecurity and additional caregiving burdens brought on by lockdown measures will be further impediments. Marginalized populations will face additional barriers. What’s the impact for our clinics on the ground? In 2018, we delivered 81.2 million contraceptive services and distributed over 300 million condoms through our Member Associations (MAs). Contraceptive care, either through clinics or outreach programs, makes up the largest portion of our service provision to communities by far. Now, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are receiving concerning updates from our MAs who are worried about impacts on supply chains and their ability to operate. 5,633 static and mobile clinics and community-based care outlets have already closed because of the outbreak, across 64 countries. They make up 14% of the total service delivery points IPPF members ran in 2018. For MAs that are still running limited services, an immediate need is PPE. Where does this leave us? At IPPF, supporting all our MAs through this pandemic is our priority. We are working to understand the stresses being placed on our MAs and to deliver as much direct support as possible. We actively monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the supply of contraceptives and other sexual and reproductive health commodities, and work with partners and manufacturers to do what we can to meet MAs’ needs – including for PPE – and ensure continued availability of supplies. We are also working to identify opportunities to modernize our service offering to respond to the rapidly changing landscape, with a view to expanding no touch and digital services and self-management of care, and make a strong case for additional resourcing in these challenging times. And we are calling on others – national governments, donors and international agencies – to recognize sexual and reproductive healthcare, including contraceptive services, as essential in this crisis, and to take measures to address disruptions in supply chains and ensure continued service provision at national level. If women, girls and marginalized communities cannot access contraceptive care in this crisis, we can expect to see a rise in unintended and forced pregnancies, an increase in sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and, ultimately, a sharp rise in unsafe abortions. The impacts on women’s and girls’ lives now, and beyond this crisis, will be severe.

IPPF contraception supply disrupted
news_item

| 16 April 2020

Contraception and COVID-19: Disrupted supply and access

Globally, the unmet need for contraception remains too high. It’s estimated that 214 million women and girls are not using modern contraception, despite wanting to avoid pregnancy. And this was before the COVID-19 pandemic, which is set to further derail access to contraception for women and girls around the world. Disrupted supply chains Lockdown measures taken globally to respond to COVID-19 are bringing major disruptions to contraceptive supply chains. Large manufacturers of contraceptives in Asia have had to halt production or operate at reduced capacity, and we may see similar developments in other regions as COVID-19 takes hold. For example, the world’s largest condom producer – Malaysia’s Karex Bhd – which makes one in every five condoms globally, was forced to close for a week in March and only given permission to reopen at 50% capacity. Production of IUDs in India – a major global producer of IUDs – has come to a standstill with the Indian government also curtailing export of any product containing progesterone, a key component of a number of contraceptives. In addition to this, the closures of borders and other restrictions imposed in the face of COVID-19 further affect the shipping and distribution of commodities. Delays in the production and delivery of contraceptive supplies at global and national levels will lead to stockouts of supplies, severely impacting contraceptive access. Disrupted access Beyond this, at country level, sexual and reproductive health services, staffing and funds may be diverted to support COVID-19 responses, leaving women and girls unable to access contraceptive and other sexual and reproductive health care. Provision of sexual and reproductive health services will also be affected by infection prevention measures, including health workers’ access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Yet, this is just part of the picture. Even where contraceptives are available and continue to be provided through clinics or pharmacies, the impact of COVID-19 on women’s and girls’ lives will curtail their access in multiple other ways. Quarantine measures and mobility restrictions will affect women’s and girls’ ability to seek out contraceptive services. Financial insecurity and additional caregiving burdens brought on by lockdown measures will be further impediments. Marginalized populations will face additional barriers. What’s the impact for our clinics on the ground? In 2018, we delivered 81.2 million contraceptive services and distributed over 300 million condoms through our Member Associations (MAs). Contraceptive care, either through clinics or outreach programs, makes up the largest portion of our service provision to communities by far. Now, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are receiving concerning updates from our MAs who are worried about impacts on supply chains and their ability to operate. 5,633 static and mobile clinics and community-based care outlets have already closed because of the outbreak, across 64 countries. They make up 14% of the total service delivery points IPPF members ran in 2018. For MAs that are still running limited services, an immediate need is PPE. Where does this leave us? At IPPF, supporting all our MAs through this pandemic is our priority. We are working to understand the stresses being placed on our MAs and to deliver as much direct support as possible. We actively monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the supply of contraceptives and other sexual and reproductive health commodities, and work with partners and manufacturers to do what we can to meet MAs’ needs – including for PPE – and ensure continued availability of supplies. We are also working to identify opportunities to modernize our service offering to respond to the rapidly changing landscape, with a view to expanding no touch and digital services and self-management of care, and make a strong case for additional resourcing in these challenging times. And we are calling on others – national governments, donors and international agencies – to recognize sexual and reproductive healthcare, including contraceptive services, as essential in this crisis, and to take measures to address disruptions in supply chains and ensure continued service provision at national level. If women, girls and marginalized communities cannot access contraceptive care in this crisis, we can expect to see a rise in unintended and forced pregnancies, an increase in sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and, ultimately, a sharp rise in unsafe abortions. The impacts on women’s and girls’ lives now, and beyond this crisis, will be severe.

Image
news item

| 09 April 2020

COVID-19 pandemic cuts access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for women around the world

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on the delivery of sexual and reproductive healthcare around the world, according to a survey of its national members conducted by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). 5,633 static and mobile clinics and community-based care outlets have already closed because of the outbreak, across 64 countries. They make up 14 % of the total service delivery points IPPF members ran in 2018. For static clinics – which provided 114 million services to clients in 2018 – the figure is even worse. More than one in five has already closed – 546 in total. The survey is the largest global set of data available so far on how organizations delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare have been hit by COVID-19. It found: IPPF’s South Asia region has seen the largest number of closures overall, with more than 1,872 clinics and other service outlets closed The Africa region has seen the largest number of mobile clinics closed, with 447 shut 971 mobile clinics and community-based care outlets in the Federation’s Western Hemisphere region have been shut down by the pandemic IPPF’s Europe region has seen 208 static clinics close The East and South East Asia and Oceania region has seen 334 mobile clinics close IPPF’s Arab World region has seen 56 static clinics close. Countries particularly affected by closures include Pakistan, El Salvador, Zambia, Sudan, Colombia, Malaysia, Uganda, Ghana, Germany, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. All have reported more than 100 closures of clinics and/or community-based service outlets. Dozens of IPPF’s members say they have been forced to cut sexual and reproductive healthcare services as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. 44 national members report scaling down HIV testing 41 national members say they have scaled down contraceptive care services 36 national members are scaling down services on gender-based violence 23 national members reported reduced availability of abortion care. Many national members are also reporting struggles to get hold of key commodities and supplies. 59 say they are facing delays in moving goods within countries. 29 say they are facing a shortage of contraceptives. 16 have reported shortages of HIV-related medicines. IPPF Director-General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis across every setting, and that includes sexual and reproductive healthcare. These figures show that millions of women and girls across the world now face an even greater challenge in trying to take care of their own health and bodies. They have needs that cannot wait, but they are facing a lack of time, lack of choice and lack of access to essential sexual and reproductive health services. If these losses can’t be course-corrected the consequences for women and girls will be catastrophic; resulting in loss of health, autonomy and life. Static clinics have been the biggest providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare across our Federation. The closure of hundreds of them is a devastating blow to the people we serve. And the loss of mobile clinics and community-based provision is particularly hard for poorer and underserved groups, who are often harder to reach and rely on services coming to them. Some of these closures will be due to government orders or social distancing needs. Ensuring access to critical sexual and reproductive healthcare like contraception, safe abortion and STI testing and treatment, including HIV and AIDS care, is vital. We have to make sure that women and girls, who will experience the greatest care burden and increased levels of interpersonal violence, can get the care they need. Their rights and safety must be respected. Doing that whilst ensuring the safety of our providers is a priority. Without access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and a secure supply of vital commodities like contraceptives, members will not be able to reopen lost service points, and more will close. The longer they stay closed, the greater the cost to the lives of women and girls.” IPPF has established an emergency fund to provide PPE to members in need and is coordinating a Federation-wide response through a COVID-19 Taskforce. Dr Bermejo added: “We will do everything we can within our Federation to maintain and restart services. But we also need to see action from national governments. Where technology exists and can be used, our members are working on providing virtual services that minimise physical contact. But without political will, and additional resources such as PPE, face to face services cannot be delivered safely during this pandemic. We need governments to make pragmatic and sensible changes to policies and legal frameworks making it easier for women to access care and obtain medication virtually. Access to telemedicine and the ability to take medicines in their own homes, such as medical abortion medication, already have a strong evidence base and should become standard. This will help deliver the care women and girls need urgently and lift some pressure from over-stretched public health services.”

Image
news_item

| 10 April 2020

COVID-19 pandemic cuts access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for women around the world

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on the delivery of sexual and reproductive healthcare around the world, according to a survey of its national members conducted by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). 5,633 static and mobile clinics and community-based care outlets have already closed because of the outbreak, across 64 countries. They make up 14 % of the total service delivery points IPPF members ran in 2018. For static clinics – which provided 114 million services to clients in 2018 – the figure is even worse. More than one in five has already closed – 546 in total. The survey is the largest global set of data available so far on how organizations delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare have been hit by COVID-19. It found: IPPF’s South Asia region has seen the largest number of closures overall, with more than 1,872 clinics and other service outlets closed The Africa region has seen the largest number of mobile clinics closed, with 447 shut 971 mobile clinics and community-based care outlets in the Federation’s Western Hemisphere region have been shut down by the pandemic IPPF’s Europe region has seen 208 static clinics close The East and South East Asia and Oceania region has seen 334 mobile clinics close IPPF’s Arab World region has seen 56 static clinics close. Countries particularly affected by closures include Pakistan, El Salvador, Zambia, Sudan, Colombia, Malaysia, Uganda, Ghana, Germany, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. All have reported more than 100 closures of clinics and/or community-based service outlets. Dozens of IPPF’s members say they have been forced to cut sexual and reproductive healthcare services as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. 44 national members report scaling down HIV testing 41 national members say they have scaled down contraceptive care services 36 national members are scaling down services on gender-based violence 23 national members reported reduced availability of abortion care. Many national members are also reporting struggles to get hold of key commodities and supplies. 59 say they are facing delays in moving goods within countries. 29 say they are facing a shortage of contraceptives. 16 have reported shortages of HIV-related medicines. IPPF Director-General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis across every setting, and that includes sexual and reproductive healthcare. These figures show that millions of women and girls across the world now face an even greater challenge in trying to take care of their own health and bodies. They have needs that cannot wait, but they are facing a lack of time, lack of choice and lack of access to essential sexual and reproductive health services. If these losses can’t be course-corrected the consequences for women and girls will be catastrophic; resulting in loss of health, autonomy and life. Static clinics have been the biggest providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare across our Federation. The closure of hundreds of them is a devastating blow to the people we serve. And the loss of mobile clinics and community-based provision is particularly hard for poorer and underserved groups, who are often harder to reach and rely on services coming to them. Some of these closures will be due to government orders or social distancing needs. Ensuring access to critical sexual and reproductive healthcare like contraception, safe abortion and STI testing and treatment, including HIV and AIDS care, is vital. We have to make sure that women and girls, who will experience the greatest care burden and increased levels of interpersonal violence, can get the care they need. Their rights and safety must be respected. Doing that whilst ensuring the safety of our providers is a priority. Without access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and a secure supply of vital commodities like contraceptives, members will not be able to reopen lost service points, and more will close. The longer they stay closed, the greater the cost to the lives of women and girls.” IPPF has established an emergency fund to provide PPE to members in need and is coordinating a Federation-wide response through a COVID-19 Taskforce. Dr Bermejo added: “We will do everything we can within our Federation to maintain and restart services. But we also need to see action from national governments. Where technology exists and can be used, our members are working on providing virtual services that minimise physical contact. But without political will, and additional resources such as PPE, face to face services cannot be delivered safely during this pandemic. We need governments to make pragmatic and sensible changes to policies and legal frameworks making it easier for women to access care and obtain medication virtually. Access to telemedicine and the ability to take medicines in their own homes, such as medical abortion medication, already have a strong evidence base and should become standard. This will help deliver the care women and girls need urgently and lift some pressure from over-stretched public health services.”

IPPF Director General, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo
news item

| 30 March 2020

COVID-19: a message from IPPF’s Director-General

The COVID-19 epidemic is one of the greatest challenges our Federation has faced. It is a global emergency affecting us all, without distinction. It is already clear that its impact will be unprecedented in every area of life; our ability as a Federation to deliver sexual and reproductive healthcare and our ability to defend and advance the rights of women and girls is already facing enormous strain. At the same time, the work we all do will be more important than ever. The weight of this health emergency will fall disproportionately on the poor and underprivileged, as every crisis does. Those are the very people we all strive to serve. As Director-General of this Federation, I want to be clear that supporting all our Member Associations through this pandemic is our priority. IPPF has established a COVID-19 Taskforce, which will coordinate the work of the IPPF Secretariat in understanding the stresses being placed on all our Member Associations and delivering as much direct help as possible to those in need. It will also identify opportunities to modernize our service offering, making sure we stay abreast of the rapidly changing landscape. There is an obvious need to expand access to no-touch services, and self-management of SRH care.  We are making the strongest possible case for additional resourcing to help combat the humanitarian need this crisis will create. I am very aware of the additional risk experienced by healthcare providers, and want staff feeling supported during what is likely to be the most challenging year they have ever faced.  And we will continue to amplify those efforts through our advocacy and communications – reinforcing that support for the people we serve is more urgent now than ever. I want to thank every worker and every volunteer continuing to do their very best to provide vital sexual and reproductive healthcare, even at risk to themselves. The entire Federation stands together at this most difficult of times. In support and in solidarity, Dr Alvaro Bermejo IPPF Director-General

IPPF Director General, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo
news_item

| 30 March 2020

COVID-19: a message from IPPF’s Director-General

The COVID-19 epidemic is one of the greatest challenges our Federation has faced. It is a global emergency affecting us all, without distinction. It is already clear that its impact will be unprecedented in every area of life; our ability as a Federation to deliver sexual and reproductive healthcare and our ability to defend and advance the rights of women and girls is already facing enormous strain. At the same time, the work we all do will be more important than ever. The weight of this health emergency will fall disproportionately on the poor and underprivileged, as every crisis does. Those are the very people we all strive to serve. As Director-General of this Federation, I want to be clear that supporting all our Member Associations through this pandemic is our priority. IPPF has established a COVID-19 Taskforce, which will coordinate the work of the IPPF Secretariat in understanding the stresses being placed on all our Member Associations and delivering as much direct help as possible to those in need. It will also identify opportunities to modernize our service offering, making sure we stay abreast of the rapidly changing landscape. There is an obvious need to expand access to no-touch services, and self-management of SRH care.  We are making the strongest possible case for additional resourcing to help combat the humanitarian need this crisis will create. I am very aware of the additional risk experienced by healthcare providers, and want staff feeling supported during what is likely to be the most challenging year they have ever faced.  And we will continue to amplify those efforts through our advocacy and communications – reinforcing that support for the people we serve is more urgent now than ever. I want to thank every worker and every volunteer continuing to do their very best to provide vital sexual and reproductive healthcare, even at risk to themselves. The entire Federation stands together at this most difficult of times. In support and in solidarity, Dr Alvaro Bermejo IPPF Director-General

IPPF ESEAOR's new Regional Director, Tomoko Fukuda
news item

| 14 June 2019

IPPF ESEAOR WELCOMES TOMOKO FUKUDA AS ITS NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR

The International Planned Parenthood Federation - East, South East Asia and Oceania Region - (IPPF ESEAOR) announces the arrival of Tomoko Fukuda as its new Regional Director beginning 1st of June 2019. Ms. Fukuda is the first IPPF Regional Director from Japan. With her joining ESEAOR, she brings to IPPF her extensive network experience including past stints as General Secretary of the Japan CSO Network on Global Health; Local Coordinator of the G20 Gender Working Group; Steering Committee Member of the Asia Pacific Alliance (APA) on SRHR; and as an Advisory Group Member of the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for Universal Health Coverage - UHC2030. Ms. Fukuda was the Advocacy Manager of the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) up until May 2019. After joining the organization in 1995, initially she was in charge of development assistance projects in countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Timor-Leste. Globally, she focused on technical transfer on health promotion and behavior change communication related to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR). During her role as Advocacy Manager, she was a part of global advocacy efforts on UHC, as well as advocacy for SRHR surrounding the G7 and G20. Ms. Fukuda said, “In a rapidly changing society, the role sought by Member Associations is changing. We want to support each Member Association to provide appropriate, timely and affordable information and services and contribute to the achievement of UHC. As IPPF, we will vigorously raise the voice for the realization of sexual reproductive rights for all people.” Tomoko Fukuda was born in Tokyo, Japan. She spent her childhood years in the Philippines together with her parents. She graduated from International Christian University, College of Liberal Arts. IPPF is a global service provider and a leading advocate of SRHR for all. We are a worldwide movement of national organizations working with and for communities and individuals in more than 170 countries. IPPF works towards a world where women, men, and young people everywhere are free to make choices about their sexuality and well-being without discrimination – free to decide when to have children, free to pursue healthy sexual lives, and to live without the fear of having unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. A world where gender or sexuality are no longer a source of inequality or stigma.  IPPF ESEAOR is supporting 22 Member Associations and three (3) Collaborating Partners in a total of twenty-five countries.

IPPF ESEAOR's new Regional Director, Tomoko Fukuda
news_item

| 14 June 2019

IPPF ESEAOR WELCOMES TOMOKO FUKUDA AS ITS NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR

The International Planned Parenthood Federation - East, South East Asia and Oceania Region - (IPPF ESEAOR) announces the arrival of Tomoko Fukuda as its new Regional Director beginning 1st of June 2019. Ms. Fukuda is the first IPPF Regional Director from Japan. With her joining ESEAOR, she brings to IPPF her extensive network experience including past stints as General Secretary of the Japan CSO Network on Global Health; Local Coordinator of the G20 Gender Working Group; Steering Committee Member of the Asia Pacific Alliance (APA) on SRHR; and as an Advisory Group Member of the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for Universal Health Coverage - UHC2030. Ms. Fukuda was the Advocacy Manager of the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) up until May 2019. After joining the organization in 1995, initially she was in charge of development assistance projects in countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Timor-Leste. Globally, she focused on technical transfer on health promotion and behavior change communication related to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR). During her role as Advocacy Manager, she was a part of global advocacy efforts on UHC, as well as advocacy for SRHR surrounding the G7 and G20. Ms. Fukuda said, “In a rapidly changing society, the role sought by Member Associations is changing. We want to support each Member Association to provide appropriate, timely and affordable information and services and contribute to the achievement of UHC. As IPPF, we will vigorously raise the voice for the realization of sexual reproductive rights for all people.” Tomoko Fukuda was born in Tokyo, Japan. She spent her childhood years in the Philippines together with her parents. She graduated from International Christian University, College of Liberal Arts. IPPF is a global service provider and a leading advocate of SRHR for all. We are a worldwide movement of national organizations working with and for communities and individuals in more than 170 countries. IPPF works towards a world where women, men, and young people everywhere are free to make choices about their sexuality and well-being without discrimination – free to decide when to have children, free to pursue healthy sexual lives, and to live without the fear of having unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. A world where gender or sexuality are no longer a source of inequality or stigma.  IPPF ESEAOR is supporting 22 Member Associations and three (3) Collaborating Partners in a total of twenty-five countries.

news item

| 23 April 2019

The introduction of Brunei’s new law – stoning as a death sentence – is a gross violation of international human rights

The International Planned Parenthood Federation along with its 134 Member Associations all over the globe, call on the government of Brunei to immediately stop the implementation of the Islamic Penal Code which severely punishes consensual same-sex acts, pregnancy out of wedlock, access to abortion and adultery.  IPPF believes that such Penal Code is in direct violation of fundamental freedom and international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).  IPPF, as a human rights defender, strongly oppose any violation of fundamental human rights. As rightly said by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, the new penal code would “mark a serious setback for human rights protections for the people of Brunei if implemented”.  Further, such laws disproportionately discriminate against the most marginalized in our society, the women, girls and people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, increasing the risk of further inequality, stigma and violence towards these groups.  We urge the government of Brunei to protect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all women and girls, and LGBTI communities - to be equal in rights and before the law – ensuring the rights to privacy, freedom of expression and free from violence and harassment are upheld. IPPF and its Member Associations will continue to fight for change to ensure all people can live free from sexual and reproductive coercion, and all forms of gender-based violence. IPPF through its member associations shall remain vigilant to oppose such harmful and regressive laws all over the world. 

news_item

| 18 April 2019

The introduction of Brunei’s new law – stoning as a death sentence – is a gross violation of international human rights

The International Planned Parenthood Federation along with its 134 Member Associations all over the globe, call on the government of Brunei to immediately stop the implementation of the Islamic Penal Code which severely punishes consensual same-sex acts, pregnancy out of wedlock, access to abortion and adultery.  IPPF believes that such Penal Code is in direct violation of fundamental freedom and international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).  IPPF, as a human rights defender, strongly oppose any violation of fundamental human rights. As rightly said by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, the new penal code would “mark a serious setback for human rights protections for the people of Brunei if implemented”.  Further, such laws disproportionately discriminate against the most marginalized in our society, the women, girls and people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, increasing the risk of further inequality, stigma and violence towards these groups.  We urge the government of Brunei to protect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all women and girls, and LGBTI communities - to be equal in rights and before the law – ensuring the rights to privacy, freedom of expression and free from violence and harassment are upheld. IPPF and its Member Associations will continue to fight for change to ensure all people can live free from sexual and reproductive coercion, and all forms of gender-based violence. IPPF through its member associations shall remain vigilant to oppose such harmful and regressive laws all over the world. 

RD's update
news item

| 28 April 2020

COVID-19 Response: Situation in East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, April 2020

This is the first update from the ESEAO Regional Office on the situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This publication highlights the impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), provides a closer view to the impact on our Member Associations, their most urgent needs and how they are working at the frontlines; synthesizes the latest IPPF actions in support of our MAs and recommendations for policy-makers and governments to ensure SRHR is considered an essential health service for all, without discrimination. To read the full update, click here.

RD's update
news_item

| 28 April 2020

COVID-19 Response: Situation in East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, April 2020

This is the first update from the ESEAO Regional Office on the situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This publication highlights the impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), provides a closer view to the impact on our Member Associations, their most urgent needs and how they are working at the frontlines; synthesizes the latest IPPF actions in support of our MAs and recommendations for policy-makers and governments to ensure SRHR is considered an essential health service for all, without discrimination. To read the full update, click here.

IPPF contraception supply disrupted
news item

| 16 April 2020

Contraception and COVID-19: Disrupted supply and access

Globally, the unmet need for contraception remains too high. It’s estimated that 214 million women and girls are not using modern contraception, despite wanting to avoid pregnancy. And this was before the COVID-19 pandemic, which is set to further derail access to contraception for women and girls around the world. Disrupted supply chains Lockdown measures taken globally to respond to COVID-19 are bringing major disruptions to contraceptive supply chains. Large manufacturers of contraceptives in Asia have had to halt production or operate at reduced capacity, and we may see similar developments in other regions as COVID-19 takes hold. For example, the world’s largest condom producer – Malaysia’s Karex Bhd – which makes one in every five condoms globally, was forced to close for a week in March and only given permission to reopen at 50% capacity. Production of IUDs in India – a major global producer of IUDs – has come to a standstill with the Indian government also curtailing export of any product containing progesterone, a key component of a number of contraceptives. In addition to this, the closures of borders and other restrictions imposed in the face of COVID-19 further affect the shipping and distribution of commodities. Delays in the production and delivery of contraceptive supplies at global and national levels will lead to stockouts of supplies, severely impacting contraceptive access. Disrupted access Beyond this, at country level, sexual and reproductive health services, staffing and funds may be diverted to support COVID-19 responses, leaving women and girls unable to access contraceptive and other sexual and reproductive health care. Provision of sexual and reproductive health services will also be affected by infection prevention measures, including health workers’ access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Yet, this is just part of the picture. Even where contraceptives are available and continue to be provided through clinics or pharmacies, the impact of COVID-19 on women’s and girls’ lives will curtail their access in multiple other ways. Quarantine measures and mobility restrictions will affect women’s and girls’ ability to seek out contraceptive services. Financial insecurity and additional caregiving burdens brought on by lockdown measures will be further impediments. Marginalized populations will face additional barriers. What’s the impact for our clinics on the ground? In 2018, we delivered 81.2 million contraceptive services and distributed over 300 million condoms through our Member Associations (MAs). Contraceptive care, either through clinics or outreach programs, makes up the largest portion of our service provision to communities by far. Now, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are receiving concerning updates from our MAs who are worried about impacts on supply chains and their ability to operate. 5,633 static and mobile clinics and community-based care outlets have already closed because of the outbreak, across 64 countries. They make up 14% of the total service delivery points IPPF members ran in 2018. For MAs that are still running limited services, an immediate need is PPE. Where does this leave us? At IPPF, supporting all our MAs through this pandemic is our priority. We are working to understand the stresses being placed on our MAs and to deliver as much direct support as possible. We actively monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the supply of contraceptives and other sexual and reproductive health commodities, and work with partners and manufacturers to do what we can to meet MAs’ needs – including for PPE – and ensure continued availability of supplies. We are also working to identify opportunities to modernize our service offering to respond to the rapidly changing landscape, with a view to expanding no touch and digital services and self-management of care, and make a strong case for additional resourcing in these challenging times. And we are calling on others – national governments, donors and international agencies – to recognize sexual and reproductive healthcare, including contraceptive services, as essential in this crisis, and to take measures to address disruptions in supply chains and ensure continued service provision at national level. If women, girls and marginalized communities cannot access contraceptive care in this crisis, we can expect to see a rise in unintended and forced pregnancies, an increase in sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and, ultimately, a sharp rise in unsafe abortions. The impacts on women’s and girls’ lives now, and beyond this crisis, will be severe.

IPPF contraception supply disrupted
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| 16 April 2020

Contraception and COVID-19: Disrupted supply and access

Globally, the unmet need for contraception remains too high. It’s estimated that 214 million women and girls are not using modern contraception, despite wanting to avoid pregnancy. And this was before the COVID-19 pandemic, which is set to further derail access to contraception for women and girls around the world. Disrupted supply chains Lockdown measures taken globally to respond to COVID-19 are bringing major disruptions to contraceptive supply chains. Large manufacturers of contraceptives in Asia have had to halt production or operate at reduced capacity, and we may see similar developments in other regions as COVID-19 takes hold. For example, the world’s largest condom producer – Malaysia’s Karex Bhd – which makes one in every five condoms globally, was forced to close for a week in March and only given permission to reopen at 50% capacity. Production of IUDs in India – a major global producer of IUDs – has come to a standstill with the Indian government also curtailing export of any product containing progesterone, a key component of a number of contraceptives. In addition to this, the closures of borders and other restrictions imposed in the face of COVID-19 further affect the shipping and distribution of commodities. Delays in the production and delivery of contraceptive supplies at global and national levels will lead to stockouts of supplies, severely impacting contraceptive access. Disrupted access Beyond this, at country level, sexual and reproductive health services, staffing and funds may be diverted to support COVID-19 responses, leaving women and girls unable to access contraceptive and other sexual and reproductive health care. Provision of sexual and reproductive health services will also be affected by infection prevention measures, including health workers’ access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Yet, this is just part of the picture. Even where contraceptives are available and continue to be provided through clinics or pharmacies, the impact of COVID-19 on women’s and girls’ lives will curtail their access in multiple other ways. Quarantine measures and mobility restrictions will affect women’s and girls’ ability to seek out contraceptive services. Financial insecurity and additional caregiving burdens brought on by lockdown measures will be further impediments. Marginalized populations will face additional barriers. What’s the impact for our clinics on the ground? In 2018, we delivered 81.2 million contraceptive services and distributed over 300 million condoms through our Member Associations (MAs). Contraceptive care, either through clinics or outreach programs, makes up the largest portion of our service provision to communities by far. Now, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are receiving concerning updates from our MAs who are worried about impacts on supply chains and their ability to operate. 5,633 static and mobile clinics and community-based care outlets have already closed because of the outbreak, across 64 countries. They make up 14% of the total service delivery points IPPF members ran in 2018. For MAs that are still running limited services, an immediate need is PPE. Where does this leave us? At IPPF, supporting all our MAs through this pandemic is our priority. We are working to understand the stresses being placed on our MAs and to deliver as much direct support as possible. We actively monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the supply of contraceptives and other sexual and reproductive health commodities, and work with partners and manufacturers to do what we can to meet MAs’ needs – including for PPE – and ensure continued availability of supplies. We are also working to identify opportunities to modernize our service offering to respond to the rapidly changing landscape, with a view to expanding no touch and digital services and self-management of care, and make a strong case for additional resourcing in these challenging times. And we are calling on others – national governments, donors and international agencies – to recognize sexual and reproductive healthcare, including contraceptive services, as essential in this crisis, and to take measures to address disruptions in supply chains and ensure continued service provision at national level. If women, girls and marginalized communities cannot access contraceptive care in this crisis, we can expect to see a rise in unintended and forced pregnancies, an increase in sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and, ultimately, a sharp rise in unsafe abortions. The impacts on women’s and girls’ lives now, and beyond this crisis, will be severe.

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| 09 April 2020

COVID-19 pandemic cuts access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for women around the world

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on the delivery of sexual and reproductive healthcare around the world, according to a survey of its national members conducted by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). 5,633 static and mobile clinics and community-based care outlets have already closed because of the outbreak, across 64 countries. They make up 14 % of the total service delivery points IPPF members ran in 2018. For static clinics – which provided 114 million services to clients in 2018 – the figure is even worse. More than one in five has already closed – 546 in total. The survey is the largest global set of data available so far on how organizations delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare have been hit by COVID-19. It found: IPPF’s South Asia region has seen the largest number of closures overall, with more than 1,872 clinics and other service outlets closed The Africa region has seen the largest number of mobile clinics closed, with 447 shut 971 mobile clinics and community-based care outlets in the Federation’s Western Hemisphere region have been shut down by the pandemic IPPF’s Europe region has seen 208 static clinics close The East and South East Asia and Oceania region has seen 334 mobile clinics close IPPF’s Arab World region has seen 56 static clinics close. Countries particularly affected by closures include Pakistan, El Salvador, Zambia, Sudan, Colombia, Malaysia, Uganda, Ghana, Germany, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. All have reported more than 100 closures of clinics and/or community-based service outlets. Dozens of IPPF’s members say they have been forced to cut sexual and reproductive healthcare services as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. 44 national members report scaling down HIV testing 41 national members say they have scaled down contraceptive care services 36 national members are scaling down services on gender-based violence 23 national members reported reduced availability of abortion care. Many national members are also reporting struggles to get hold of key commodities and supplies. 59 say they are facing delays in moving goods within countries. 29 say they are facing a shortage of contraceptives. 16 have reported shortages of HIV-related medicines. IPPF Director-General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis across every setting, and that includes sexual and reproductive healthcare. These figures show that millions of women and girls across the world now face an even greater challenge in trying to take care of their own health and bodies. They have needs that cannot wait, but they are facing a lack of time, lack of choice and lack of access to essential sexual and reproductive health services. If these losses can’t be course-corrected the consequences for women and girls will be catastrophic; resulting in loss of health, autonomy and life. Static clinics have been the biggest providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare across our Federation. The closure of hundreds of them is a devastating blow to the people we serve. And the loss of mobile clinics and community-based provision is particularly hard for poorer and underserved groups, who are often harder to reach and rely on services coming to them. Some of these closures will be due to government orders or social distancing needs. Ensuring access to critical sexual and reproductive healthcare like contraception, safe abortion and STI testing and treatment, including HIV and AIDS care, is vital. We have to make sure that women and girls, who will experience the greatest care burden and increased levels of interpersonal violence, can get the care they need. Their rights and safety must be respected. Doing that whilst ensuring the safety of our providers is a priority. Without access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and a secure supply of vital commodities like contraceptives, members will not be able to reopen lost service points, and more will close. The longer they stay closed, the greater the cost to the lives of women and girls.” IPPF has established an emergency fund to provide PPE to members in need and is coordinating a Federation-wide response through a COVID-19 Taskforce. Dr Bermejo added: “We will do everything we can within our Federation to maintain and restart services. But we also need to see action from national governments. Where technology exists and can be used, our members are working on providing virtual services that minimise physical contact. But without political will, and additional resources such as PPE, face to face services cannot be delivered safely during this pandemic. We need governments to make pragmatic and sensible changes to policies and legal frameworks making it easier for women to access care and obtain medication virtually. Access to telemedicine and the ability to take medicines in their own homes, such as medical abortion medication, already have a strong evidence base and should become standard. This will help deliver the care women and girls need urgently and lift some pressure from over-stretched public health services.”

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| 10 April 2020

COVID-19 pandemic cuts access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for women around the world

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on the delivery of sexual and reproductive healthcare around the world, according to a survey of its national members conducted by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). 5,633 static and mobile clinics and community-based care outlets have already closed because of the outbreak, across 64 countries. They make up 14 % of the total service delivery points IPPF members ran in 2018. For static clinics – which provided 114 million services to clients in 2018 – the figure is even worse. More than one in five has already closed – 546 in total. The survey is the largest global set of data available so far on how organizations delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare have been hit by COVID-19. It found: IPPF’s South Asia region has seen the largest number of closures overall, with more than 1,872 clinics and other service outlets closed The Africa region has seen the largest number of mobile clinics closed, with 447 shut 971 mobile clinics and community-based care outlets in the Federation’s Western Hemisphere region have been shut down by the pandemic IPPF’s Europe region has seen 208 static clinics close The East and South East Asia and Oceania region has seen 334 mobile clinics close IPPF’s Arab World region has seen 56 static clinics close. Countries particularly affected by closures include Pakistan, El Salvador, Zambia, Sudan, Colombia, Malaysia, Uganda, Ghana, Germany, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. All have reported more than 100 closures of clinics and/or community-based service outlets. Dozens of IPPF’s members say they have been forced to cut sexual and reproductive healthcare services as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. 44 national members report scaling down HIV testing 41 national members say they have scaled down contraceptive care services 36 national members are scaling down services on gender-based violence 23 national members reported reduced availability of abortion care. Many national members are also reporting struggles to get hold of key commodities and supplies. 59 say they are facing delays in moving goods within countries. 29 say they are facing a shortage of contraceptives. 16 have reported shortages of HIV-related medicines. IPPF Director-General Dr Alvaro Bermejo said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis across every setting, and that includes sexual and reproductive healthcare. These figures show that millions of women and girls across the world now face an even greater challenge in trying to take care of their own health and bodies. They have needs that cannot wait, but they are facing a lack of time, lack of choice and lack of access to essential sexual and reproductive health services. If these losses can’t be course-corrected the consequences for women and girls will be catastrophic; resulting in loss of health, autonomy and life. Static clinics have been the biggest providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare across our Federation. The closure of hundreds of them is a devastating blow to the people we serve. And the loss of mobile clinics and community-based provision is particularly hard for poorer and underserved groups, who are often harder to reach and rely on services coming to them. Some of these closures will be due to government orders or social distancing needs. Ensuring access to critical sexual and reproductive healthcare like contraception, safe abortion and STI testing and treatment, including HIV and AIDS care, is vital. We have to make sure that women and girls, who will experience the greatest care burden and increased levels of interpersonal violence, can get the care they need. Their rights and safety must be respected. Doing that whilst ensuring the safety of our providers is a priority. Without access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and a secure supply of vital commodities like contraceptives, members will not be able to reopen lost service points, and more will close. The longer they stay closed, the greater the cost to the lives of women and girls.” IPPF has established an emergency fund to provide PPE to members in need and is coordinating a Federation-wide response through a COVID-19 Taskforce. Dr Bermejo added: “We will do everything we can within our Federation to maintain and restart services. But we also need to see action from national governments. Where technology exists and can be used, our members are working on providing virtual services that minimise physical contact. But without political will, and additional resources such as PPE, face to face services cannot be delivered safely during this pandemic. We need governments to make pragmatic and sensible changes to policies and legal frameworks making it easier for women to access care and obtain medication virtually. Access to telemedicine and the ability to take medicines in their own homes, such as medical abortion medication, already have a strong evidence base and should become standard. This will help deliver the care women and girls need urgently and lift some pressure from over-stretched public health services.”

IPPF Director General, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo
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| 30 March 2020

COVID-19: a message from IPPF’s Director-General

The COVID-19 epidemic is one of the greatest challenges our Federation has faced. It is a global emergency affecting us all, without distinction. It is already clear that its impact will be unprecedented in every area of life; our ability as a Federation to deliver sexual and reproductive healthcare and our ability to defend and advance the rights of women and girls is already facing enormous strain. At the same time, the work we all do will be more important than ever. The weight of this health emergency will fall disproportionately on the poor and underprivileged, as every crisis does. Those are the very people we all strive to serve. As Director-General of this Federation, I want to be clear that supporting all our Member Associations through this pandemic is our priority. IPPF has established a COVID-19 Taskforce, which will coordinate the work of the IPPF Secretariat in understanding the stresses being placed on all our Member Associations and delivering as much direct help as possible to those in need. It will also identify opportunities to modernize our service offering, making sure we stay abreast of the rapidly changing landscape. There is an obvious need to expand access to no-touch services, and self-management of SRH care.  We are making the strongest possible case for additional resourcing to help combat the humanitarian need this crisis will create. I am very aware of the additional risk experienced by healthcare providers, and want staff feeling supported during what is likely to be the most challenging year they have ever faced.  And we will continue to amplify those efforts through our advocacy and communications – reinforcing that support for the people we serve is more urgent now than ever. I want to thank every worker and every volunteer continuing to do their very best to provide vital sexual and reproductive healthcare, even at risk to themselves. The entire Federation stands together at this most difficult of times. In support and in solidarity, Dr Alvaro Bermejo IPPF Director-General

IPPF Director General, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo
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| 30 March 2020

COVID-19: a message from IPPF’s Director-General

The COVID-19 epidemic is one of the greatest challenges our Federation has faced. It is a global emergency affecting us all, without distinction. It is already clear that its impact will be unprecedented in every area of life; our ability as a Federation to deliver sexual and reproductive healthcare and our ability to defend and advance the rights of women and girls is already facing enormous strain. At the same time, the work we all do will be more important than ever. The weight of this health emergency will fall disproportionately on the poor and underprivileged, as every crisis does. Those are the very people we all strive to serve. As Director-General of this Federation, I want to be clear that supporting all our Member Associations through this pandemic is our priority. IPPF has established a COVID-19 Taskforce, which will coordinate the work of the IPPF Secretariat in understanding the stresses being placed on all our Member Associations and delivering as much direct help as possible to those in need. It will also identify opportunities to modernize our service offering, making sure we stay abreast of the rapidly changing landscape. There is an obvious need to expand access to no-touch services, and self-management of SRH care.  We are making the strongest possible case for additional resourcing to help combat the humanitarian need this crisis will create. I am very aware of the additional risk experienced by healthcare providers, and want staff feeling supported during what is likely to be the most challenging year they have ever faced.  And we will continue to amplify those efforts through our advocacy and communications – reinforcing that support for the people we serve is more urgent now than ever. I want to thank every worker and every volunteer continuing to do their very best to provide vital sexual and reproductive healthcare, even at risk to themselves. The entire Federation stands together at this most difficult of times. In support and in solidarity, Dr Alvaro Bermejo IPPF Director-General

IPPF ESEAOR's new Regional Director, Tomoko Fukuda
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| 14 June 2019

IPPF ESEAOR WELCOMES TOMOKO FUKUDA AS ITS NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR

The International Planned Parenthood Federation - East, South East Asia and Oceania Region - (IPPF ESEAOR) announces the arrival of Tomoko Fukuda as its new Regional Director beginning 1st of June 2019. Ms. Fukuda is the first IPPF Regional Director from Japan. With her joining ESEAOR, she brings to IPPF her extensive network experience including past stints as General Secretary of the Japan CSO Network on Global Health; Local Coordinator of the G20 Gender Working Group; Steering Committee Member of the Asia Pacific Alliance (APA) on SRHR; and as an Advisory Group Member of the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for Universal Health Coverage - UHC2030. Ms. Fukuda was the Advocacy Manager of the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) up until May 2019. After joining the organization in 1995, initially she was in charge of development assistance projects in countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Timor-Leste. Globally, she focused on technical transfer on health promotion and behavior change communication related to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR). During her role as Advocacy Manager, she was a part of global advocacy efforts on UHC, as well as advocacy for SRHR surrounding the G7 and G20. Ms. Fukuda said, “In a rapidly changing society, the role sought by Member Associations is changing. We want to support each Member Association to provide appropriate, timely and affordable information and services and contribute to the achievement of UHC. As IPPF, we will vigorously raise the voice for the realization of sexual reproductive rights for all people.” Tomoko Fukuda was born in Tokyo, Japan. She spent her childhood years in the Philippines together with her parents. She graduated from International Christian University, College of Liberal Arts. IPPF is a global service provider and a leading advocate of SRHR for all. We are a worldwide movement of national organizations working with and for communities and individuals in more than 170 countries. IPPF works towards a world where women, men, and young people everywhere are free to make choices about their sexuality and well-being without discrimination – free to decide when to have children, free to pursue healthy sexual lives, and to live without the fear of having unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. A world where gender or sexuality are no longer a source of inequality or stigma.  IPPF ESEAOR is supporting 22 Member Associations and three (3) Collaborating Partners in a total of twenty-five countries.

IPPF ESEAOR's new Regional Director, Tomoko Fukuda
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| 14 June 2019

IPPF ESEAOR WELCOMES TOMOKO FUKUDA AS ITS NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR

The International Planned Parenthood Federation - East, South East Asia and Oceania Region - (IPPF ESEAOR) announces the arrival of Tomoko Fukuda as its new Regional Director beginning 1st of June 2019. Ms. Fukuda is the first IPPF Regional Director from Japan. With her joining ESEAOR, she brings to IPPF her extensive network experience including past stints as General Secretary of the Japan CSO Network on Global Health; Local Coordinator of the G20 Gender Working Group; Steering Committee Member of the Asia Pacific Alliance (APA) on SRHR; and as an Advisory Group Member of the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for Universal Health Coverage - UHC2030. Ms. Fukuda was the Advocacy Manager of the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) up until May 2019. After joining the organization in 1995, initially she was in charge of development assistance projects in countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Timor-Leste. Globally, she focused on technical transfer on health promotion and behavior change communication related to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR). During her role as Advocacy Manager, she was a part of global advocacy efforts on UHC, as well as advocacy for SRHR surrounding the G7 and G20. Ms. Fukuda said, “In a rapidly changing society, the role sought by Member Associations is changing. We want to support each Member Association to provide appropriate, timely and affordable information and services and contribute to the achievement of UHC. As IPPF, we will vigorously raise the voice for the realization of sexual reproductive rights for all people.” Tomoko Fukuda was born in Tokyo, Japan. She spent her childhood years in the Philippines together with her parents. She graduated from International Christian University, College of Liberal Arts. IPPF is a global service provider and a leading advocate of SRHR for all. We are a worldwide movement of national organizations working with and for communities and individuals in more than 170 countries. IPPF works towards a world where women, men, and young people everywhere are free to make choices about their sexuality and well-being without discrimination – free to decide when to have children, free to pursue healthy sexual lives, and to live without the fear of having unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. A world where gender or sexuality are no longer a source of inequality or stigma.  IPPF ESEAOR is supporting 22 Member Associations and three (3) Collaborating Partners in a total of twenty-five countries.

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| 23 April 2019

The introduction of Brunei’s new law – stoning as a death sentence – is a gross violation of international human rights

The International Planned Parenthood Federation along with its 134 Member Associations all over the globe, call on the government of Brunei to immediately stop the implementation of the Islamic Penal Code which severely punishes consensual same-sex acts, pregnancy out of wedlock, access to abortion and adultery.  IPPF believes that such Penal Code is in direct violation of fundamental freedom and international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).  IPPF, as a human rights defender, strongly oppose any violation of fundamental human rights. As rightly said by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, the new penal code would “mark a serious setback for human rights protections for the people of Brunei if implemented”.  Further, such laws disproportionately discriminate against the most marginalized in our society, the women, girls and people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, increasing the risk of further inequality, stigma and violence towards these groups.  We urge the government of Brunei to protect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all women and girls, and LGBTI communities - to be equal in rights and before the law – ensuring the rights to privacy, freedom of expression and free from violence and harassment are upheld. IPPF and its Member Associations will continue to fight for change to ensure all people can live free from sexual and reproductive coercion, and all forms of gender-based violence. IPPF through its member associations shall remain vigilant to oppose such harmful and regressive laws all over the world. 

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| 18 April 2019

The introduction of Brunei’s new law – stoning as a death sentence – is a gross violation of international human rights

The International Planned Parenthood Federation along with its 134 Member Associations all over the globe, call on the government of Brunei to immediately stop the implementation of the Islamic Penal Code which severely punishes consensual same-sex acts, pregnancy out of wedlock, access to abortion and adultery.  IPPF believes that such Penal Code is in direct violation of fundamental freedom and international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).  IPPF, as a human rights defender, strongly oppose any violation of fundamental human rights. As rightly said by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, the new penal code would “mark a serious setback for human rights protections for the people of Brunei if implemented”.  Further, such laws disproportionately discriminate against the most marginalized in our society, the women, girls and people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, increasing the risk of further inequality, stigma and violence towards these groups.  We urge the government of Brunei to protect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all women and girls, and LGBTI communities - to be equal in rights and before the law – ensuring the rights to privacy, freedom of expression and free from violence and harassment are upheld. IPPF and its Member Associations will continue to fight for change to ensure all people can live free from sexual and reproductive coercion, and all forms of gender-based violence. IPPF through its member associations shall remain vigilant to oppose such harmful and regressive laws all over the world.