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A selection of news from across the Federation

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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.
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news item

| 04 October 2022

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. Both FP2030 and IPPF, a pioneering commitment-maker of then FP2020, are delighted to see these hubs come onboard and begin building their staffs and regional networks. Given its deep connections in the Asia Pacific region, IPPF ESEAOR was chosen by a selection committee composed of regionally diverse multi-sectoral stakeholders reporting to the FP2030 Governing Board. The strategic location of IPPF ESEAOR will be a great advantage to enable the new hub to serve partners across the region, and deliver strategic and timely support to countries related to commitments, localization, accountability, and expansion of the family planning movement in Asia Pacific, due to their expertise and longstanding partnerships. “Thanks to our member associations across Asia and the Pacific, we’ve been active for 70 years,” said Kate Gilmore, Chair, Board of Trustees, IPPF. “On behalf of IPPF globally, we are honored and privileged to host the FP2030 Asia the Pacific Hub. “Our vision for this partnership is to bring the spotlight back to how important and crucial having access to information and contraceptives is for women,” added Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director for IPPF ESEAOR. Launching the Asia and the Pacific Hub is a critical next step in building the FP2030 Global Support Network, a structure designed to ensure greater support, collaboration and country-led direction to the partnership. The new FP2030 partnership is the result of careful work planning and consultation with stakeholders all over the world. “We’re keeping the best of FP2020 — the convening power of the partnership, the collaborative platforms, the dedication to high-quality data and evidence, the unswerving commitment to the rights and needs of women and girls — while embracing changes that emphasize country leadership, inclusion, equity, transparency, and mutual accountability,” said Dr. Samukeliso Dube, FP2030 Executive Director.   Watch the video message here

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| 26 September 2022

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. Both FP2030 and IPPF, a pioneering commitment-maker of then FP2020, are delighted to see these hubs come onboard and begin building their staffs and regional networks. Given its deep connections in the Asia Pacific region, IPPF ESEAOR was chosen by a selection committee composed of regionally diverse multi-sectoral stakeholders reporting to the FP2030 Governing Board. The strategic location of IPPF ESEAOR will be a great advantage to enable the new hub to serve partners across the region, and deliver strategic and timely support to countries related to commitments, localization, accountability, and expansion of the family planning movement in Asia Pacific, due to their expertise and longstanding partnerships. “Thanks to our member associations across Asia and the Pacific, we’ve been active for 70 years,” said Kate Gilmore, Chair, Board of Trustees, IPPF. “On behalf of IPPF globally, we are honored and privileged to host the FP2030 Asia the Pacific Hub. “Our vision for this partnership is to bring the spotlight back to how important and crucial having access to information and contraceptives is for women,” added Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director for IPPF ESEAOR. Launching the Asia and the Pacific Hub is a critical next step in building the FP2030 Global Support Network, a structure designed to ensure greater support, collaboration and country-led direction to the partnership. The new FP2030 partnership is the result of careful work planning and consultation with stakeholders all over the world. “We’re keeping the best of FP2020 — the convening power of the partnership, the collaborative platforms, the dedication to high-quality data and evidence, the unswerving commitment to the rights and needs of women and girls — while embracing changes that emphasize country leadership, inclusion, equity, transparency, and mutual accountability,” said Dr. Samukeliso Dube, FP2030 Executive Director.   Watch the video message here

IPPF Data Management Strategy Training participants
news item

| 23 August 2022

IPPF Data Management Strategy Training for Asia Regions

The Monitoring and Evaluation programme focal points from IPPF London Office, Regional Office secretariats from ESEAOR and SARO, and Member Associations (Indonesia, Malaysia, PNG, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal) came together in Kuala Lumpur last week for a 5-days IPPF Data Management Strategy Training. IPPF’s Data Management Strategy serves as a statement of principles for data management across the Federation, and a guide to action. The strategy describes how data should be governed, how the data quality can be improved and maintained, how the data can be accessed and used so that we maximize its potential value to all users, while maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality and security. The strategy starts from an overall vision for data management within IPPF. The values that underpin this vision and which align with IPPF’s own values as a Federation where quality data is a critical asset that drives decision making and learning to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Overall, the strategy will be a call to action for everyone in IPPF and a guide for our plans moving forward. Through this training, IPPF’s Regional Offices and Member Associations are expected to articulate the relevance of IPPF Data Management Strategy Data Management Strategy and Implementation Plan) in their own organisational context, develop a realistic, time-bound, practical action plan to implement the DMS and align with the new Strategic Framework and the Results Framework. Thanks to The Federation of Reproductive Health Association Malaysia (FRHAM) and its Negeri Sembilan State MA, the participants got a chance to visit the clinics, met with the Negeri Sembilan Family Planning Association (NSFPA) president, volunteers & staff and learn the clinic data management practice there during the training. The participants also visited the Kuala Lumpur Regional Office on the last day of training.

IPPF Data Management Strategy Training participants
news_item

| 23 August 2022

IPPF Data Management Strategy Training for Asia Regions

The Monitoring and Evaluation programme focal points from IPPF London Office, Regional Office secretariats from ESEAOR and SARO, and Member Associations (Indonesia, Malaysia, PNG, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal) came together in Kuala Lumpur last week for a 5-days IPPF Data Management Strategy Training. IPPF’s Data Management Strategy serves as a statement of principles for data management across the Federation, and a guide to action. The strategy describes how data should be governed, how the data quality can be improved and maintained, how the data can be accessed and used so that we maximize its potential value to all users, while maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality and security. The strategy starts from an overall vision for data management within IPPF. The values that underpin this vision and which align with IPPF’s own values as a Federation where quality data is a critical asset that drives decision making and learning to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Overall, the strategy will be a call to action for everyone in IPPF and a guide for our plans moving forward. Through this training, IPPF’s Regional Offices and Member Associations are expected to articulate the relevance of IPPF Data Management Strategy Data Management Strategy and Implementation Plan) in their own organisational context, develop a realistic, time-bound, practical action plan to implement the DMS and align with the new Strategic Framework and the Results Framework. Thanks to The Federation of Reproductive Health Association Malaysia (FRHAM) and its Negeri Sembilan State MA, the participants got a chance to visit the clinics, met with the Negeri Sembilan Family Planning Association (NSFPA) president, volunteers & staff and learn the clinic data management practice there during the training. The participants also visited the Kuala Lumpur Regional Office on the last day of training.

Group photo of VFHA
news item

| 22 August 2022

Vanuatu Youth Training on Family Life Education

17 young people from various communities around Port Vila in Vanuatu are currently doing their second part of capacity and facilitation training under the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) Pacific Transformative Agenda programme on Family Life Education curriculum for out-of-school youth. Vanuatu Family Health Association (VFHA) through International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has been able to support the rollout of this important training in Port Vila, Santo and Tanna. Lynold Aru Youth Coordinator for VFHA who has been coordinating the programme is excited to equip young people with basic sexual reproductive health information to better share and disseminate information to their peers and community members. He says that in addition to information dissemination the youth advocates received basic skills to promote referrals for youth to VFHA clinic, we take pride in confidentiality and youth friendly services at VFHA, and we find that young people are confident to access our services, a standard referral card system is also used by youth advocates, so referrals are processed quickly and acknowledged as coming from our youth network. The VFHA youth and comprehensive sexuality education team will also conduct similar training to its youth advocate networks in Tanna and Santo over the coming week as part of strengthening the youth advocates network and commitment to regular mentoring, monitoring but importantly having youth at the centre of its programmes. The team is being support by Jack Martin programme officer for youth and CSE from the IPPF Sub Regional office for the Pacific who will also be supporting the team in Tanna and Santo over the next week.  Jack said the overall UNFPA Transformative Agenda programme is a result of the strong inputs and commitments made by the Vanuatu Government through Ministry of Health and Medical services and its national and regional stakeholders to support reduction of teenage pregnancy and related reproductive health issues for young people in Vanuatu, without Government support this would not be possible. He further acknowledges the ongoing support and commitment of the Australia Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for supporting the project in Vanuatu and across the Pacific region.

Group photo of VFHA
news_item

| 22 August 2022

Vanuatu Youth Training on Family Life Education

17 young people from various communities around Port Vila in Vanuatu are currently doing their second part of capacity and facilitation training under the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) Pacific Transformative Agenda programme on Family Life Education curriculum for out-of-school youth. Vanuatu Family Health Association (VFHA) through International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has been able to support the rollout of this important training in Port Vila, Santo and Tanna. Lynold Aru Youth Coordinator for VFHA who has been coordinating the programme is excited to equip young people with basic sexual reproductive health information to better share and disseminate information to their peers and community members. He says that in addition to information dissemination the youth advocates received basic skills to promote referrals for youth to VFHA clinic, we take pride in confidentiality and youth friendly services at VFHA, and we find that young people are confident to access our services, a standard referral card system is also used by youth advocates, so referrals are processed quickly and acknowledged as coming from our youth network. The VFHA youth and comprehensive sexuality education team will also conduct similar training to its youth advocate networks in Tanna and Santo over the coming week as part of strengthening the youth advocates network and commitment to regular mentoring, monitoring but importantly having youth at the centre of its programmes. The team is being support by Jack Martin programme officer for youth and CSE from the IPPF Sub Regional office for the Pacific who will also be supporting the team in Tanna and Santo over the next week.  Jack said the overall UNFPA Transformative Agenda programme is a result of the strong inputs and commitments made by the Vanuatu Government through Ministry of Health and Medical services and its national and regional stakeholders to support reduction of teenage pregnancy and related reproductive health issues for young people in Vanuatu, without Government support this would not be possible. He further acknowledges the ongoing support and commitment of the Australia Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for supporting the project in Vanuatu and across the Pacific region.

Flag of Japan
news item

| 19 July 2022

Tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, father of Global Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

We are speechless, angry and profoundly saddened by the news that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was brutally gunned down while delivering a public speech in support of his party’s candidate for the forthcoming Japanese election. The assassination of Mr Abe represents a shocking and cowardly act of violence that threatens the core values of humanity which he spent his entire life defending. Our thoughts go to his wife Akie and the people of Japan at this extraordinarily challenging time. During the Tokyo UHC Summit held in December 2017, IPPF delivered a message to Mr Abe saying, "Just as your grandfather was the father of UHC in Japan, we hope that you will continue to lead global UHC and be the father of global UHC". Mr Abe responded to IPPF’s message with passion and energy. He put UHC promotion at the heart of Japan's Global Health Diplomacy Strategy and became a genuine global leader in UHC, becoming an example for other world leaders. He also held the World Assembly for Women (WAW!) in Tokyo with the aim of building a 'society where women would shine' in Japan and worked tirelessly to promote the empowerment of women. Through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) 5 to 7, Mr Abe created global momentum for improved development cooperation in Africa. Dr Alvaro Bermeo, IPPF’s Director General, notes: "IPPF will continue to honour the work of former Prime Minister Abe and advance his commitment to universal health coverage that includes comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. May he rest in peace." Ms Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director of IPPF East, South-East Asia and Oceania Regional Office, recalls: 'I will never forget the way former Prime Minister Abe spoke with enthusiasm about the realisation of a society where women would shine at the WAW! We still have a long way to go to realise women's empowerment in Japan and around the world, but we will continue to build on the foundation of Mr Abe's efforts." Main photo by  Roméo A. on Unsplash 

Flag of Japan
news_item

| 11 July 2022

Tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, father of Global Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

We are speechless, angry and profoundly saddened by the news that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was brutally gunned down while delivering a public speech in support of his party’s candidate for the forthcoming Japanese election. The assassination of Mr Abe represents a shocking and cowardly act of violence that threatens the core values of humanity which he spent his entire life defending. Our thoughts go to his wife Akie and the people of Japan at this extraordinarily challenging time. During the Tokyo UHC Summit held in December 2017, IPPF delivered a message to Mr Abe saying, "Just as your grandfather was the father of UHC in Japan, we hope that you will continue to lead global UHC and be the father of global UHC". Mr Abe responded to IPPF’s message with passion and energy. He put UHC promotion at the heart of Japan's Global Health Diplomacy Strategy and became a genuine global leader in UHC, becoming an example for other world leaders. He also held the World Assembly for Women (WAW!) in Tokyo with the aim of building a 'society where women would shine' in Japan and worked tirelessly to promote the empowerment of women. Through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) 5 to 7, Mr Abe created global momentum for improved development cooperation in Africa. Dr Alvaro Bermeo, IPPF’s Director General, notes: "IPPF will continue to honour the work of former Prime Minister Abe and advance his commitment to universal health coverage that includes comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. May he rest in peace." Ms Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director of IPPF East, South-East Asia and Oceania Regional Office, recalls: 'I will never forget the way former Prime Minister Abe spoke with enthusiasm about the realisation of a society where women would shine at the WAW! We still have a long way to go to realise women's empowerment in Japan and around the world, but we will continue to build on the foundation of Mr Abe's efforts." Main photo by  Roméo A. on Unsplash 

APREMC-II
news item

| 28 June 2022

Second Asia-Pacific Regional Education Minister’s Conference (APREMC-II)

IPPF ESEAOR and Family Planning New South Wales (FP NSW) were present at APREMC-II, which took place in-person in Bangkok from 5th to 7th June 2022. This Conference’s theme was ‘Education Recovery and Transformation towards more Responsive, Relevant and Resilient Education Systems: Accelerating progress towards SDG 4-Education 2030’.  The Conference served as a platform for education stakeholders to share successful and innovative education initiatives, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities to accelerate learning for all children and youth, especially for the most vulnerable.  Many education stakeholders highlighted that while the COVID-19 pandemic has presented the region with untoward challenges, it has notably exacerbated a pre-existing learning crisis in Asia Pacific. These substantial learning losses and worsening access to education have led to significant setbacks that jeopardize the region’s prospects for collectively achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.  Some highlights of our work:  IPPF ESEAOR co-hosted a side event titled “Building Inclusive, Resilient, Gender Equal Societies through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)” along with UNFPA Asia Pacific and UNESCO.  We, alongside CSO partner ARROW, used the opportunity during technical sessions to highlight:   CSE is an early intervention strategy to address gender inequality, gender-based violence, early and unintended pregnancies, and the spread of STIs.  Recognize that the provision of CSE is integral to improving the health and rights of adolescents and youth; and realizing gender equality and sustainable development.  Transformative education should include a multisectoral approach – education and health sector, civil society, private sector, and other stakeholders.  Infrastructure needs to be prepared for learners, e.g., sufficient water, sanitation and menstrual health facilities and services in schools and integrate menstrual health into school curricula and ensure that teacher training incorporates menstrual health into comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).  Family Planning NSW, as part of the youth cohort speaking at the closing ceremony, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to care for their sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.  The outcome document - Bangkok Statement 2022 - comprises a series of priority actions and recommendations while acknowledging the region’s extensive diversity and need for contextual approaches to learning in Asia Pacific. The Statement sets out two ‘priority actions’: 1) Safe School Reopening, Learning Recovery and Continuity of Learning; and 2) Transforming Education and Education Systems.  The Bangkok Statement will be shared at the Transforming Education Pre-Summit held on the 28th to 30th June in Paris, France, and the SDG4 Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee meeting in July 2022. Continued advocacy for CSE and SRHR will be pivotal for the global Transforming Education Summit (TES) during the United Nations General Assembly in September, generating tangible actions and partnerships to transform education systems for all learners.  

APREMC-II
news_item

| 03 June 2022

Second Asia-Pacific Regional Education Minister’s Conference (APREMC-II)

IPPF ESEAOR and Family Planning New South Wales (FP NSW) were present at APREMC-II, which took place in-person in Bangkok from 5th to 7th June 2022. This Conference’s theme was ‘Education Recovery and Transformation towards more Responsive, Relevant and Resilient Education Systems: Accelerating progress towards SDG 4-Education 2030’.  The Conference served as a platform for education stakeholders to share successful and innovative education initiatives, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities to accelerate learning for all children and youth, especially for the most vulnerable.  Many education stakeholders highlighted that while the COVID-19 pandemic has presented the region with untoward challenges, it has notably exacerbated a pre-existing learning crisis in Asia Pacific. These substantial learning losses and worsening access to education have led to significant setbacks that jeopardize the region’s prospects for collectively achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.  Some highlights of our work:  IPPF ESEAOR co-hosted a side event titled “Building Inclusive, Resilient, Gender Equal Societies through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)” along with UNFPA Asia Pacific and UNESCO.  We, alongside CSO partner ARROW, used the opportunity during technical sessions to highlight:   CSE is an early intervention strategy to address gender inequality, gender-based violence, early and unintended pregnancies, and the spread of STIs.  Recognize that the provision of CSE is integral to improving the health and rights of adolescents and youth; and realizing gender equality and sustainable development.  Transformative education should include a multisectoral approach – education and health sector, civil society, private sector, and other stakeholders.  Infrastructure needs to be prepared for learners, e.g., sufficient water, sanitation and menstrual health facilities and services in schools and integrate menstrual health into school curricula and ensure that teacher training incorporates menstrual health into comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).  Family Planning NSW, as part of the youth cohort speaking at the closing ceremony, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to care for their sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.  The outcome document - Bangkok Statement 2022 - comprises a series of priority actions and recommendations while acknowledging the region’s extensive diversity and need for contextual approaches to learning in Asia Pacific. The Statement sets out two ‘priority actions’: 1) Safe School Reopening, Learning Recovery and Continuity of Learning; and 2) Transforming Education and Education Systems.  The Bangkok Statement will be shared at the Transforming Education Pre-Summit held on the 28th to 30th June in Paris, France, and the SDG4 Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee meeting in July 2022. Continued advocacy for CSE and SRHR will be pivotal for the global Transforming Education Summit (TES) during the United Nations General Assembly in September, generating tangible actions and partnerships to transform education systems for all learners.  

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news item

| 30 June 2022

Building Inclusive, Resilient, Gender Equal Societies through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): The 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Education Ministers’ Conference (APREMC II) Side Event

Date: Friday, 3 June 2022  Time: 10am – 11.30am BKK / 11am – 12.30pm KL / 3pm – 4.30pm Suva   Organizers: International Planned Parenthood Federation ESEAOR (IPPF ESEAOR), UNFPA Asia Pacific and UNESCO    Speakers:  Results of the Regional CSE Review: Brayant Gonzales, IPPF ESEAOR and Brian Kironde, UNFPA Pacific  Building CSE into national education curriculums: Dr Somolireasmey Saphon, Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)  Age- and developmentally appropriate sexuality education for people with disability: Sera Ratu, Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF)  Delivering sexuality education in humanitarian settings: Louria Joy Paragon, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)  Digital solutions to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): Jack Martin IPPF ESEAOR Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific (SROP)  Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is a pillar in delivering high-quality gender-transformative education and crucial to achieving SDG 4 on education. Likewise, it contributes to the fulfilment of SDG 3 on health and SDG 5 on gender equality. CSE protects young people and helps build a safer, inclusive society. CSE also has the potential to prevent and reduce gender-based and intimate partner violence. Our panel speakers will highlight the importance of CSE and its critical role to give young people the knowledge and skills they need to manage their health and form equal, fulfilling, and safe relationships free from discrimination, coercion, and violence.  This session was an inclusive dialogue among multiple stakeholder groups in South-East Asia and the Pacific on the implementation of Goal 4 – specifically CSE - to exchange good practices and innovation, and to reflect on recommendations to accelerate progress. Through this discussion, we aimed to achieve gender transformative education systems and build sustainable and resilient learning frameworks.  Event Summary  UNFPA and IPPF ESEAOR together presented the results of the regional review on the status of in-school CSE and reflected toward full integration of inclusive, resilient CSE in education systems. The discussion was moderated and led by Ana P. Santos, an independent journalist and pleasure advocate.   CSE enables young people to manage their health and form equal, fulfilling, and safe relationships, free from discrimination, coercion and violence  In her opening remarks, Tomoko Fukuda, IPPF ESEAOR Regional Director stressed on ensuring working together collaboratively across various stakeholders. It is important to involve young people in discussions to introduce different learning modalities and enable an environment to support them. CSE can enable a shift towards gender-positive attitudes and increase knowledge of rights, young people, especially girls in all their diversity make autonomous decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction, to build gender-equal, inclusive societies.   Building CSE into national education curriculum  Dr Saphon talked about Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)’s role in raising awareness about safe sex, consent, and life skills education. RHAC are committed to providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to young people and have played a crucial role in delivering CSE in formal settings by developing evidence informed grade-based curriculum and training over 1,500 teachers. RHAC has delivered CSE sessions in over 400 schools in Cambodia. Their grassroots advocacy both at the national and international levels has successfully manifested into shifting government attitudes and policies related to CSE. Dr. Saphon added that delivering CSE requires financial resources and intense training hence a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach to the delivery of quality CSE is critical.   Delivering sexuality education in humanitarian settings  Louria Joy Paragon, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) Youth Representative, shared their challenges of delivering CSE in humanitarian settings. The pandemic along with typhoons/ natural disasters disrupted access to SRH services in the Philippines, especially for young people. FPOP recognises that CSE should be delivered in protracted emergencies, alongside high quality SRH services, to address the young people’s needs and aspirations. FPOP train youth volunteers and staff on how to deliver these services in Reproductive Health Medical Missions during humanitarian responses. Louria emphasized investing in and involving young people to deliver CSE in formal and informal settings. All young people should have equal access to CSE at all levels- community and school levels.   Age- and developmentally appropriate sexuality education for people with disability  Sera Ratu, Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji, led the conversation on inclusive sexuality education for young people with disabilities. She shared their successful methodology of involving parents, teachers, and students in developing content and building capacity for young people with disabilities. Sera added, it is important to ensure multi-stakeholder involvement in the process to ensure disability inclusive sexuality education is meeting the needs of young people with disabilities. This will also guide the development and implementation of teachers’ training to achieve results.   Digital solutions to deliver Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)   Jack Martin, IPPF ESEAOR SROP, shared the expanding role of digital learning platforms to deliver CSE and engage young people who often face difficulty in attending conventional classrooms. He demonstrated the newly developed IPPF modules using the Moodle platform to deliver CSE being piloted in selected Asia-Pacific countries. The modules adapt “It’s All One Curriculum” for online learning and aim to equip young people (12 to 24 years) with the right knowledge, skills, and attitude to achieve health and well-being. The Moodle platform provides a flexible learning mode to the user who can learn at their own pace on their computers and smartphones.   Watch the recording below:  

plain blue background image
news_item

| 03 June 2022

Building Inclusive, Resilient, Gender Equal Societies through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): The 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Education Ministers’ Conference (APREMC II) Side Event

Date: Friday, 3 June 2022  Time: 10am – 11.30am BKK / 11am – 12.30pm KL / 3pm – 4.30pm Suva   Organizers: International Planned Parenthood Federation ESEAOR (IPPF ESEAOR), UNFPA Asia Pacific and UNESCO    Speakers:  Results of the Regional CSE Review: Brayant Gonzales, IPPF ESEAOR and Brian Kironde, UNFPA Pacific  Building CSE into national education curriculums: Dr Somolireasmey Saphon, Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)  Age- and developmentally appropriate sexuality education for people with disability: Sera Ratu, Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF)  Delivering sexuality education in humanitarian settings: Louria Joy Paragon, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)  Digital solutions to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): Jack Martin IPPF ESEAOR Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific (SROP)  Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is a pillar in delivering high-quality gender-transformative education and crucial to achieving SDG 4 on education. Likewise, it contributes to the fulfilment of SDG 3 on health and SDG 5 on gender equality. CSE protects young people and helps build a safer, inclusive society. CSE also has the potential to prevent and reduce gender-based and intimate partner violence. Our panel speakers will highlight the importance of CSE and its critical role to give young people the knowledge and skills they need to manage their health and form equal, fulfilling, and safe relationships free from discrimination, coercion, and violence.  This session was an inclusive dialogue among multiple stakeholder groups in South-East Asia and the Pacific on the implementation of Goal 4 – specifically CSE - to exchange good practices and innovation, and to reflect on recommendations to accelerate progress. Through this discussion, we aimed to achieve gender transformative education systems and build sustainable and resilient learning frameworks.  Event Summary  UNFPA and IPPF ESEAOR together presented the results of the regional review on the status of in-school CSE and reflected toward full integration of inclusive, resilient CSE in education systems. The discussion was moderated and led by Ana P. Santos, an independent journalist and pleasure advocate.   CSE enables young people to manage their health and form equal, fulfilling, and safe relationships, free from discrimination, coercion and violence  In her opening remarks, Tomoko Fukuda, IPPF ESEAOR Regional Director stressed on ensuring working together collaboratively across various stakeholders. It is important to involve young people in discussions to introduce different learning modalities and enable an environment to support them. CSE can enable a shift towards gender-positive attitudes and increase knowledge of rights, young people, especially girls in all their diversity make autonomous decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction, to build gender-equal, inclusive societies.   Building CSE into national education curriculum  Dr Saphon talked about Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)’s role in raising awareness about safe sex, consent, and life skills education. RHAC are committed to providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to young people and have played a crucial role in delivering CSE in formal settings by developing evidence informed grade-based curriculum and training over 1,500 teachers. RHAC has delivered CSE sessions in over 400 schools in Cambodia. Their grassroots advocacy both at the national and international levels has successfully manifested into shifting government attitudes and policies related to CSE. Dr. Saphon added that delivering CSE requires financial resources and intense training hence a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach to the delivery of quality CSE is critical.   Delivering sexuality education in humanitarian settings  Louria Joy Paragon, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) Youth Representative, shared their challenges of delivering CSE in humanitarian settings. The pandemic along with typhoons/ natural disasters disrupted access to SRH services in the Philippines, especially for young people. FPOP recognises that CSE should be delivered in protracted emergencies, alongside high quality SRH services, to address the young people’s needs and aspirations. FPOP train youth volunteers and staff on how to deliver these services in Reproductive Health Medical Missions during humanitarian responses. Louria emphasized investing in and involving young people to deliver CSE in formal and informal settings. All young people should have equal access to CSE at all levels- community and school levels.   Age- and developmentally appropriate sexuality education for people with disability  Sera Ratu, Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji, led the conversation on inclusive sexuality education for young people with disabilities. She shared their successful methodology of involving parents, teachers, and students in developing content and building capacity for young people with disabilities. Sera added, it is important to ensure multi-stakeholder involvement in the process to ensure disability inclusive sexuality education is meeting the needs of young people with disabilities. This will also guide the development and implementation of teachers’ training to achieve results.   Digital solutions to deliver Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)   Jack Martin, IPPF ESEAOR SROP, shared the expanding role of digital learning platforms to deliver CSE and engage young people who often face difficulty in attending conventional classrooms. He demonstrated the newly developed IPPF modules using the Moodle platform to deliver CSE being piloted in selected Asia-Pacific countries. The modules adapt “It’s All One Curriculum” for online learning and aim to equip young people (12 to 24 years) with the right knowledge, skills, and attitude to achieve health and well-being. The Moodle platform provides a flexible learning mode to the user who can learn at their own pace on their computers and smartphones.   Watch the recording below:  

FP2030 Banner
news item

| 04 October 2022

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. Both FP2030 and IPPF, a pioneering commitment-maker of then FP2020, are delighted to see these hubs come onboard and begin building their staffs and regional networks. Given its deep connections in the Asia Pacific region, IPPF ESEAOR was chosen by a selection committee composed of regionally diverse multi-sectoral stakeholders reporting to the FP2030 Governing Board. The strategic location of IPPF ESEAOR will be a great advantage to enable the new hub to serve partners across the region, and deliver strategic and timely support to countries related to commitments, localization, accountability, and expansion of the family planning movement in Asia Pacific, due to their expertise and longstanding partnerships. “Thanks to our member associations across Asia and the Pacific, we’ve been active for 70 years,” said Kate Gilmore, Chair, Board of Trustees, IPPF. “On behalf of IPPF globally, we are honored and privileged to host the FP2030 Asia the Pacific Hub. “Our vision for this partnership is to bring the spotlight back to how important and crucial having access to information and contraceptives is for women,” added Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director for IPPF ESEAOR. Launching the Asia and the Pacific Hub is a critical next step in building the FP2030 Global Support Network, a structure designed to ensure greater support, collaboration and country-led direction to the partnership. The new FP2030 partnership is the result of careful work planning and consultation with stakeholders all over the world. “We’re keeping the best of FP2020 — the convening power of the partnership, the collaborative platforms, the dedication to high-quality data and evidence, the unswerving commitment to the rights and needs of women and girls — while embracing changes that emphasize country leadership, inclusion, equity, transparency, and mutual accountability,” said Dr. Samukeliso Dube, FP2030 Executive Director.   Watch the video message here

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| 26 September 2022

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. Both FP2030 and IPPF, a pioneering commitment-maker of then FP2020, are delighted to see these hubs come onboard and begin building their staffs and regional networks. Given its deep connections in the Asia Pacific region, IPPF ESEAOR was chosen by a selection committee composed of regionally diverse multi-sectoral stakeholders reporting to the FP2030 Governing Board. The strategic location of IPPF ESEAOR will be a great advantage to enable the new hub to serve partners across the region, and deliver strategic and timely support to countries related to commitments, localization, accountability, and expansion of the family planning movement in Asia Pacific, due to their expertise and longstanding partnerships. “Thanks to our member associations across Asia and the Pacific, we’ve been active for 70 years,” said Kate Gilmore, Chair, Board of Trustees, IPPF. “On behalf of IPPF globally, we are honored and privileged to host the FP2030 Asia the Pacific Hub. “Our vision for this partnership is to bring the spotlight back to how important and crucial having access to information and contraceptives is for women,” added Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director for IPPF ESEAOR. Launching the Asia and the Pacific Hub is a critical next step in building the FP2030 Global Support Network, a structure designed to ensure greater support, collaboration and country-led direction to the partnership. The new FP2030 partnership is the result of careful work planning and consultation with stakeholders all over the world. “We’re keeping the best of FP2020 — the convening power of the partnership, the collaborative platforms, the dedication to high-quality data and evidence, the unswerving commitment to the rights and needs of women and girls — while embracing changes that emphasize country leadership, inclusion, equity, transparency, and mutual accountability,” said Dr. Samukeliso Dube, FP2030 Executive Director.   Watch the video message here

IPPF Data Management Strategy Training participants
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| 23 August 2022

IPPF Data Management Strategy Training for Asia Regions

The Monitoring and Evaluation programme focal points from IPPF London Office, Regional Office secretariats from ESEAOR and SARO, and Member Associations (Indonesia, Malaysia, PNG, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal) came together in Kuala Lumpur last week for a 5-days IPPF Data Management Strategy Training. IPPF’s Data Management Strategy serves as a statement of principles for data management across the Federation, and a guide to action. The strategy describes how data should be governed, how the data quality can be improved and maintained, how the data can be accessed and used so that we maximize its potential value to all users, while maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality and security. The strategy starts from an overall vision for data management within IPPF. The values that underpin this vision and which align with IPPF’s own values as a Federation where quality data is a critical asset that drives decision making and learning to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Overall, the strategy will be a call to action for everyone in IPPF and a guide for our plans moving forward. Through this training, IPPF’s Regional Offices and Member Associations are expected to articulate the relevance of IPPF Data Management Strategy Data Management Strategy and Implementation Plan) in their own organisational context, develop a realistic, time-bound, practical action plan to implement the DMS and align with the new Strategic Framework and the Results Framework. Thanks to The Federation of Reproductive Health Association Malaysia (FRHAM) and its Negeri Sembilan State MA, the participants got a chance to visit the clinics, met with the Negeri Sembilan Family Planning Association (NSFPA) president, volunteers & staff and learn the clinic data management practice there during the training. The participants also visited the Kuala Lumpur Regional Office on the last day of training.

IPPF Data Management Strategy Training participants
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| 23 August 2022

IPPF Data Management Strategy Training for Asia Regions

The Monitoring and Evaluation programme focal points from IPPF London Office, Regional Office secretariats from ESEAOR and SARO, and Member Associations (Indonesia, Malaysia, PNG, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal) came together in Kuala Lumpur last week for a 5-days IPPF Data Management Strategy Training. IPPF’s Data Management Strategy serves as a statement of principles for data management across the Federation, and a guide to action. The strategy describes how data should be governed, how the data quality can be improved and maintained, how the data can be accessed and used so that we maximize its potential value to all users, while maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality and security. The strategy starts from an overall vision for data management within IPPF. The values that underpin this vision and which align with IPPF’s own values as a Federation where quality data is a critical asset that drives decision making and learning to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Overall, the strategy will be a call to action for everyone in IPPF and a guide for our plans moving forward. Through this training, IPPF’s Regional Offices and Member Associations are expected to articulate the relevance of IPPF Data Management Strategy Data Management Strategy and Implementation Plan) in their own organisational context, develop a realistic, time-bound, practical action plan to implement the DMS and align with the new Strategic Framework and the Results Framework. Thanks to The Federation of Reproductive Health Association Malaysia (FRHAM) and its Negeri Sembilan State MA, the participants got a chance to visit the clinics, met with the Negeri Sembilan Family Planning Association (NSFPA) president, volunteers & staff and learn the clinic data management practice there during the training. The participants also visited the Kuala Lumpur Regional Office on the last day of training.

Group photo of VFHA
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| 22 August 2022

Vanuatu Youth Training on Family Life Education

17 young people from various communities around Port Vila in Vanuatu are currently doing their second part of capacity and facilitation training under the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) Pacific Transformative Agenda programme on Family Life Education curriculum for out-of-school youth. Vanuatu Family Health Association (VFHA) through International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has been able to support the rollout of this important training in Port Vila, Santo and Tanna. Lynold Aru Youth Coordinator for VFHA who has been coordinating the programme is excited to equip young people with basic sexual reproductive health information to better share and disseminate information to their peers and community members. He says that in addition to information dissemination the youth advocates received basic skills to promote referrals for youth to VFHA clinic, we take pride in confidentiality and youth friendly services at VFHA, and we find that young people are confident to access our services, a standard referral card system is also used by youth advocates, so referrals are processed quickly and acknowledged as coming from our youth network. The VFHA youth and comprehensive sexuality education team will also conduct similar training to its youth advocate networks in Tanna and Santo over the coming week as part of strengthening the youth advocates network and commitment to regular mentoring, monitoring but importantly having youth at the centre of its programmes. The team is being support by Jack Martin programme officer for youth and CSE from the IPPF Sub Regional office for the Pacific who will also be supporting the team in Tanna and Santo over the next week.  Jack said the overall UNFPA Transformative Agenda programme is a result of the strong inputs and commitments made by the Vanuatu Government through Ministry of Health and Medical services and its national and regional stakeholders to support reduction of teenage pregnancy and related reproductive health issues for young people in Vanuatu, without Government support this would not be possible. He further acknowledges the ongoing support and commitment of the Australia Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for supporting the project in Vanuatu and across the Pacific region.

Group photo of VFHA
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| 22 August 2022

Vanuatu Youth Training on Family Life Education

17 young people from various communities around Port Vila in Vanuatu are currently doing their second part of capacity and facilitation training under the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) Pacific Transformative Agenda programme on Family Life Education curriculum for out-of-school youth. Vanuatu Family Health Association (VFHA) through International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has been able to support the rollout of this important training in Port Vila, Santo and Tanna. Lynold Aru Youth Coordinator for VFHA who has been coordinating the programme is excited to equip young people with basic sexual reproductive health information to better share and disseminate information to their peers and community members. He says that in addition to information dissemination the youth advocates received basic skills to promote referrals for youth to VFHA clinic, we take pride in confidentiality and youth friendly services at VFHA, and we find that young people are confident to access our services, a standard referral card system is also used by youth advocates, so referrals are processed quickly and acknowledged as coming from our youth network. The VFHA youth and comprehensive sexuality education team will also conduct similar training to its youth advocate networks in Tanna and Santo over the coming week as part of strengthening the youth advocates network and commitment to regular mentoring, monitoring but importantly having youth at the centre of its programmes. The team is being support by Jack Martin programme officer for youth and CSE from the IPPF Sub Regional office for the Pacific who will also be supporting the team in Tanna and Santo over the next week.  Jack said the overall UNFPA Transformative Agenda programme is a result of the strong inputs and commitments made by the Vanuatu Government through Ministry of Health and Medical services and its national and regional stakeholders to support reduction of teenage pregnancy and related reproductive health issues for young people in Vanuatu, without Government support this would not be possible. He further acknowledges the ongoing support and commitment of the Australia Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for supporting the project in Vanuatu and across the Pacific region.

Flag of Japan
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| 19 July 2022

Tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, father of Global Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

We are speechless, angry and profoundly saddened by the news that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was brutally gunned down while delivering a public speech in support of his party’s candidate for the forthcoming Japanese election. The assassination of Mr Abe represents a shocking and cowardly act of violence that threatens the core values of humanity which he spent his entire life defending. Our thoughts go to his wife Akie and the people of Japan at this extraordinarily challenging time. During the Tokyo UHC Summit held in December 2017, IPPF delivered a message to Mr Abe saying, "Just as your grandfather was the father of UHC in Japan, we hope that you will continue to lead global UHC and be the father of global UHC". Mr Abe responded to IPPF’s message with passion and energy. He put UHC promotion at the heart of Japan's Global Health Diplomacy Strategy and became a genuine global leader in UHC, becoming an example for other world leaders. He also held the World Assembly for Women (WAW!) in Tokyo with the aim of building a 'society where women would shine' in Japan and worked tirelessly to promote the empowerment of women. Through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) 5 to 7, Mr Abe created global momentum for improved development cooperation in Africa. Dr Alvaro Bermeo, IPPF’s Director General, notes: "IPPF will continue to honour the work of former Prime Minister Abe and advance his commitment to universal health coverage that includes comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. May he rest in peace." Ms Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director of IPPF East, South-East Asia and Oceania Regional Office, recalls: 'I will never forget the way former Prime Minister Abe spoke with enthusiasm about the realisation of a society where women would shine at the WAW! We still have a long way to go to realise women's empowerment in Japan and around the world, but we will continue to build on the foundation of Mr Abe's efforts." Main photo by  Roméo A. on Unsplash 

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| 11 July 2022

Tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, father of Global Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

We are speechless, angry and profoundly saddened by the news that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was brutally gunned down while delivering a public speech in support of his party’s candidate for the forthcoming Japanese election. The assassination of Mr Abe represents a shocking and cowardly act of violence that threatens the core values of humanity which he spent his entire life defending. Our thoughts go to his wife Akie and the people of Japan at this extraordinarily challenging time. During the Tokyo UHC Summit held in December 2017, IPPF delivered a message to Mr Abe saying, "Just as your grandfather was the father of UHC in Japan, we hope that you will continue to lead global UHC and be the father of global UHC". Mr Abe responded to IPPF’s message with passion and energy. He put UHC promotion at the heart of Japan's Global Health Diplomacy Strategy and became a genuine global leader in UHC, becoming an example for other world leaders. He also held the World Assembly for Women (WAW!) in Tokyo with the aim of building a 'society where women would shine' in Japan and worked tirelessly to promote the empowerment of women. Through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) 5 to 7, Mr Abe created global momentum for improved development cooperation in Africa. Dr Alvaro Bermeo, IPPF’s Director General, notes: "IPPF will continue to honour the work of former Prime Minister Abe and advance his commitment to universal health coverage that includes comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. May he rest in peace." Ms Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director of IPPF East, South-East Asia and Oceania Regional Office, recalls: 'I will never forget the way former Prime Minister Abe spoke with enthusiasm about the realisation of a society where women would shine at the WAW! We still have a long way to go to realise women's empowerment in Japan and around the world, but we will continue to build on the foundation of Mr Abe's efforts." Main photo by  Roméo A. on Unsplash 

APREMC-II
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| 28 June 2022

Second Asia-Pacific Regional Education Minister’s Conference (APREMC-II)

IPPF ESEAOR and Family Planning New South Wales (FP NSW) were present at APREMC-II, which took place in-person in Bangkok from 5th to 7th June 2022. This Conference’s theme was ‘Education Recovery and Transformation towards more Responsive, Relevant and Resilient Education Systems: Accelerating progress towards SDG 4-Education 2030’.  The Conference served as a platform for education stakeholders to share successful and innovative education initiatives, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities to accelerate learning for all children and youth, especially for the most vulnerable.  Many education stakeholders highlighted that while the COVID-19 pandemic has presented the region with untoward challenges, it has notably exacerbated a pre-existing learning crisis in Asia Pacific. These substantial learning losses and worsening access to education have led to significant setbacks that jeopardize the region’s prospects for collectively achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.  Some highlights of our work:  IPPF ESEAOR co-hosted a side event titled “Building Inclusive, Resilient, Gender Equal Societies through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)” along with UNFPA Asia Pacific and UNESCO.  We, alongside CSO partner ARROW, used the opportunity during technical sessions to highlight:   CSE is an early intervention strategy to address gender inequality, gender-based violence, early and unintended pregnancies, and the spread of STIs.  Recognize that the provision of CSE is integral to improving the health and rights of adolescents and youth; and realizing gender equality and sustainable development.  Transformative education should include a multisectoral approach – education and health sector, civil society, private sector, and other stakeholders.  Infrastructure needs to be prepared for learners, e.g., sufficient water, sanitation and menstrual health facilities and services in schools and integrate menstrual health into school curricula and ensure that teacher training incorporates menstrual health into comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).  Family Planning NSW, as part of the youth cohort speaking at the closing ceremony, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to care for their sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.  The outcome document - Bangkok Statement 2022 - comprises a series of priority actions and recommendations while acknowledging the region’s extensive diversity and need for contextual approaches to learning in Asia Pacific. The Statement sets out two ‘priority actions’: 1) Safe School Reopening, Learning Recovery and Continuity of Learning; and 2) Transforming Education and Education Systems.  The Bangkok Statement will be shared at the Transforming Education Pre-Summit held on the 28th to 30th June in Paris, France, and the SDG4 Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee meeting in July 2022. Continued advocacy for CSE and SRHR will be pivotal for the global Transforming Education Summit (TES) during the United Nations General Assembly in September, generating tangible actions and partnerships to transform education systems for all learners.  

APREMC-II
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| 03 June 2022

Second Asia-Pacific Regional Education Minister’s Conference (APREMC-II)

IPPF ESEAOR and Family Planning New South Wales (FP NSW) were present at APREMC-II, which took place in-person in Bangkok from 5th to 7th June 2022. This Conference’s theme was ‘Education Recovery and Transformation towards more Responsive, Relevant and Resilient Education Systems: Accelerating progress towards SDG 4-Education 2030’.  The Conference served as a platform for education stakeholders to share successful and innovative education initiatives, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities to accelerate learning for all children and youth, especially for the most vulnerable.  Many education stakeholders highlighted that while the COVID-19 pandemic has presented the region with untoward challenges, it has notably exacerbated a pre-existing learning crisis in Asia Pacific. These substantial learning losses and worsening access to education have led to significant setbacks that jeopardize the region’s prospects for collectively achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.  Some highlights of our work:  IPPF ESEAOR co-hosted a side event titled “Building Inclusive, Resilient, Gender Equal Societies through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)” along with UNFPA Asia Pacific and UNESCO.  We, alongside CSO partner ARROW, used the opportunity during technical sessions to highlight:   CSE is an early intervention strategy to address gender inequality, gender-based violence, early and unintended pregnancies, and the spread of STIs.  Recognize that the provision of CSE is integral to improving the health and rights of adolescents and youth; and realizing gender equality and sustainable development.  Transformative education should include a multisectoral approach – education and health sector, civil society, private sector, and other stakeholders.  Infrastructure needs to be prepared for learners, e.g., sufficient water, sanitation and menstrual health facilities and services in schools and integrate menstrual health into school curricula and ensure that teacher training incorporates menstrual health into comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).  Family Planning NSW, as part of the youth cohort speaking at the closing ceremony, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to care for their sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.  The outcome document - Bangkok Statement 2022 - comprises a series of priority actions and recommendations while acknowledging the region’s extensive diversity and need for contextual approaches to learning in Asia Pacific. The Statement sets out two ‘priority actions’: 1) Safe School Reopening, Learning Recovery and Continuity of Learning; and 2) Transforming Education and Education Systems.  The Bangkok Statement will be shared at the Transforming Education Pre-Summit held on the 28th to 30th June in Paris, France, and the SDG4 Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee meeting in July 2022. Continued advocacy for CSE and SRHR will be pivotal for the global Transforming Education Summit (TES) during the United Nations General Assembly in September, generating tangible actions and partnerships to transform education systems for all learners.  

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| 30 June 2022

Building Inclusive, Resilient, Gender Equal Societies through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): The 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Education Ministers’ Conference (APREMC II) Side Event

Date: Friday, 3 June 2022  Time: 10am – 11.30am BKK / 11am – 12.30pm KL / 3pm – 4.30pm Suva   Organizers: International Planned Parenthood Federation ESEAOR (IPPF ESEAOR), UNFPA Asia Pacific and UNESCO    Speakers:  Results of the Regional CSE Review: Brayant Gonzales, IPPF ESEAOR and Brian Kironde, UNFPA Pacific  Building CSE into national education curriculums: Dr Somolireasmey Saphon, Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)  Age- and developmentally appropriate sexuality education for people with disability: Sera Ratu, Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF)  Delivering sexuality education in humanitarian settings: Louria Joy Paragon, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)  Digital solutions to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): Jack Martin IPPF ESEAOR Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific (SROP)  Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is a pillar in delivering high-quality gender-transformative education and crucial to achieving SDG 4 on education. Likewise, it contributes to the fulfilment of SDG 3 on health and SDG 5 on gender equality. CSE protects young people and helps build a safer, inclusive society. CSE also has the potential to prevent and reduce gender-based and intimate partner violence. Our panel speakers will highlight the importance of CSE and its critical role to give young people the knowledge and skills they need to manage their health and form equal, fulfilling, and safe relationships free from discrimination, coercion, and violence.  This session was an inclusive dialogue among multiple stakeholder groups in South-East Asia and the Pacific on the implementation of Goal 4 – specifically CSE - to exchange good practices and innovation, and to reflect on recommendations to accelerate progress. Through this discussion, we aimed to achieve gender transformative education systems and build sustainable and resilient learning frameworks.  Event Summary  UNFPA and IPPF ESEAOR together presented the results of the regional review on the status of in-school CSE and reflected toward full integration of inclusive, resilient CSE in education systems. The discussion was moderated and led by Ana P. Santos, an independent journalist and pleasure advocate.   CSE enables young people to manage their health and form equal, fulfilling, and safe relationships, free from discrimination, coercion and violence  In her opening remarks, Tomoko Fukuda, IPPF ESEAOR Regional Director stressed on ensuring working together collaboratively across various stakeholders. It is important to involve young people in discussions to introduce different learning modalities and enable an environment to support them. CSE can enable a shift towards gender-positive attitudes and increase knowledge of rights, young people, especially girls in all their diversity make autonomous decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction, to build gender-equal, inclusive societies.   Building CSE into national education curriculum  Dr Saphon talked about Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)’s role in raising awareness about safe sex, consent, and life skills education. RHAC are committed to providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to young people and have played a crucial role in delivering CSE in formal settings by developing evidence informed grade-based curriculum and training over 1,500 teachers. RHAC has delivered CSE sessions in over 400 schools in Cambodia. Their grassroots advocacy both at the national and international levels has successfully manifested into shifting government attitudes and policies related to CSE. Dr. Saphon added that delivering CSE requires financial resources and intense training hence a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach to the delivery of quality CSE is critical.   Delivering sexuality education in humanitarian settings  Louria Joy Paragon, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) Youth Representative, shared their challenges of delivering CSE in humanitarian settings. The pandemic along with typhoons/ natural disasters disrupted access to SRH services in the Philippines, especially for young people. FPOP recognises that CSE should be delivered in protracted emergencies, alongside high quality SRH services, to address the young people’s needs and aspirations. FPOP train youth volunteers and staff on how to deliver these services in Reproductive Health Medical Missions during humanitarian responses. Louria emphasized investing in and involving young people to deliver CSE in formal and informal settings. All young people should have equal access to CSE at all levels- community and school levels.   Age- and developmentally appropriate sexuality education for people with disability  Sera Ratu, Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji, led the conversation on inclusive sexuality education for young people with disabilities. She shared their successful methodology of involving parents, teachers, and students in developing content and building capacity for young people with disabilities. Sera added, it is important to ensure multi-stakeholder involvement in the process to ensure disability inclusive sexuality education is meeting the needs of young people with disabilities. This will also guide the development and implementation of teachers’ training to achieve results.   Digital solutions to deliver Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)   Jack Martin, IPPF ESEAOR SROP, shared the expanding role of digital learning platforms to deliver CSE and engage young people who often face difficulty in attending conventional classrooms. He demonstrated the newly developed IPPF modules using the Moodle platform to deliver CSE being piloted in selected Asia-Pacific countries. The modules adapt “It’s All One Curriculum” for online learning and aim to equip young people (12 to 24 years) with the right knowledge, skills, and attitude to achieve health and well-being. The Moodle platform provides a flexible learning mode to the user who can learn at their own pace on their computers and smartphones.   Watch the recording below:  

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| 03 June 2022

Building Inclusive, Resilient, Gender Equal Societies through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): The 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Education Ministers’ Conference (APREMC II) Side Event

Date: Friday, 3 June 2022  Time: 10am – 11.30am BKK / 11am – 12.30pm KL / 3pm – 4.30pm Suva   Organizers: International Planned Parenthood Federation ESEAOR (IPPF ESEAOR), UNFPA Asia Pacific and UNESCO    Speakers:  Results of the Regional CSE Review: Brayant Gonzales, IPPF ESEAOR and Brian Kironde, UNFPA Pacific  Building CSE into national education curriculums: Dr Somolireasmey Saphon, Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)  Age- and developmentally appropriate sexuality education for people with disability: Sera Ratu, Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF)  Delivering sexuality education in humanitarian settings: Louria Joy Paragon, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)  Digital solutions to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): Jack Martin IPPF ESEAOR Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific (SROP)  Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is a pillar in delivering high-quality gender-transformative education and crucial to achieving SDG 4 on education. Likewise, it contributes to the fulfilment of SDG 3 on health and SDG 5 on gender equality. CSE protects young people and helps build a safer, inclusive society. CSE also has the potential to prevent and reduce gender-based and intimate partner violence. Our panel speakers will highlight the importance of CSE and its critical role to give young people the knowledge and skills they need to manage their health and form equal, fulfilling, and safe relationships free from discrimination, coercion, and violence.  This session was an inclusive dialogue among multiple stakeholder groups in South-East Asia and the Pacific on the implementation of Goal 4 – specifically CSE - to exchange good practices and innovation, and to reflect on recommendations to accelerate progress. Through this discussion, we aimed to achieve gender transformative education systems and build sustainable and resilient learning frameworks.  Event Summary  UNFPA and IPPF ESEAOR together presented the results of the regional review on the status of in-school CSE and reflected toward full integration of inclusive, resilient CSE in education systems. The discussion was moderated and led by Ana P. Santos, an independent journalist and pleasure advocate.   CSE enables young people to manage their health and form equal, fulfilling, and safe relationships, free from discrimination, coercion and violence  In her opening remarks, Tomoko Fukuda, IPPF ESEAOR Regional Director stressed on ensuring working together collaboratively across various stakeholders. It is important to involve young people in discussions to introduce different learning modalities and enable an environment to support them. CSE can enable a shift towards gender-positive attitudes and increase knowledge of rights, young people, especially girls in all their diversity make autonomous decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction, to build gender-equal, inclusive societies.   Building CSE into national education curriculum  Dr Saphon talked about Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)’s role in raising awareness about safe sex, consent, and life skills education. RHAC are committed to providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to young people and have played a crucial role in delivering CSE in formal settings by developing evidence informed grade-based curriculum and training over 1,500 teachers. RHAC has delivered CSE sessions in over 400 schools in Cambodia. Their grassroots advocacy both at the national and international levels has successfully manifested into shifting government attitudes and policies related to CSE. Dr. Saphon added that delivering CSE requires financial resources and intense training hence a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach to the delivery of quality CSE is critical.   Delivering sexuality education in humanitarian settings  Louria Joy Paragon, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) Youth Representative, shared their challenges of delivering CSE in humanitarian settings. The pandemic along with typhoons/ natural disasters disrupted access to SRH services in the Philippines, especially for young people. FPOP recognises that CSE should be delivered in protracted emergencies, alongside high quality SRH services, to address the young people’s needs and aspirations. FPOP train youth volunteers and staff on how to deliver these services in Reproductive Health Medical Missions during humanitarian responses. Louria emphasized investing in and involving young people to deliver CSE in formal and informal settings. All young people should have equal access to CSE at all levels- community and school levels.   Age- and developmentally appropriate sexuality education for people with disability  Sera Ratu, Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji, led the conversation on inclusive sexuality education for young people with disabilities. She shared their successful methodology of involving parents, teachers, and students in developing content and building capacity for young people with disabilities. Sera added, it is important to ensure multi-stakeholder involvement in the process to ensure disability inclusive sexuality education is meeting the needs of young people with disabilities. This will also guide the development and implementation of teachers’ training to achieve results.   Digital solutions to deliver Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)   Jack Martin, IPPF ESEAOR SROP, shared the expanding role of digital learning platforms to deliver CSE and engage young people who often face difficulty in attending conventional classrooms. He demonstrated the newly developed IPPF modules using the Moodle platform to deliver CSE being piloted in selected Asia-Pacific countries. The modules adapt “It’s All One Curriculum” for online learning and aim to equip young people (12 to 24 years) with the right knowledge, skills, and attitude to achieve health and well-being. The Moodle platform provides a flexible learning mode to the user who can learn at their own pace on their computers and smartphones.   Watch the recording below: