Suva, Fiji - As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific (IPPF SROP) have formalised a milestone partnership to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across the Pacific region.
The two organisations today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Suva, reaffirming their shared commitment to collaboration, joint advocacy, and community-led responses to the SRHR challenges facing Fiji and the wider region.
The four-year MoU (2025–2029) will strengthen cooperation between IPPF’s 10 Pacific Member Associations and PSGDN’s 14 National Member Organisations (NMOs), focusing on advancing SRHR, improving access to inclusive SRH care, promoting the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, and building collective capacity through research, programming, and accountability mechanisms.
With Fiji facing an escalating HIV crisis and new cases being reported weekly across several countries, such as Vanuatu, in the region, this partnership arrives at a critical moment.
Both PSGDN and IPPF SROP are part of Fiji’s national HIV taskforce, and the MoU leverages their combined reach across 10 Pacific Island countries and territories to enhance advocacy and reach efforts.
PSGDN Interim CEO Loata Tucika said the MoU brought together two powerful regional mechanisms to deliver a coordinated, community-driven response to SRHR and LGBTQI+ inclusion.
“The advocacy landscape in the Pacific has long been fragmented, with communities, networks, and service providers often working in silos. This MoU is our opportunity to break those silos,” Ms Tucika said.
“We are confronting intersecting challenges — from rising HIV cases to widening gaps in SRHR education, access, and protection for LGBTQI+ people. This partnership allows us to match our strengths, amplify Pacific voices, and ensure that no community is left behind in the SRHR conversation.”
Ms Tucika said through this MoU, PSGDN will activate and connect its youth cohort, ensuring that young queer and gender-diverse Pacific people are part of decision-making and advocacy.
“We will also convene webinars and learning spaces with humanitarian advisors to strengthen our preparedness and community-led responses across the region.
“This is a power-packed partnership. It ensures that the lived realities of Pacific LGBTQI+ communities — often missing from SRHR frameworks — are centred in policy, programming, and regional dialogue.
“Together with IPPF SROP, we are building a stronger, more inclusive, and more accountable Pacific SRHR movement,” Ms Tucika added.
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"This is a power-packed partnership. It ensures that the lived realities of Pacific LGBTQI+ communities — often missing from SRHR frameworks — are centred in policy, programming, and regional dialogue. Together with IPPF SROP, we are building a stronger, more inclusive, and more accountable Pacific SRHR movement." - PSGDN Interim CEO Loata Tucika
IPPF SROP Member Association Support and Development Director, Dolores Devesi announced, “This partnership reaffirms our commitment to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all Pacific Islanders of diverse SOGIESC through partnerships and community-led responses as promised in our Niu Vaka Strategy.
As we continue to advocate for bodily autonomy, ensuring the right to free, informed and consensual choices, our shared work includes strengthening our systems of care, rooted in representation, respect, and gender inclusivity.
We are honored to work alongside PSGDN to ensure that access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care is equitable, affirming, and responsive to the realities of LGBQTI+ communities,” Ms Devesi added.
"As we continue to advocate for bodily autonomy, ensuring the right to free, informed and consensual choices, our shared work includes strengthening our systems of care, rooted in representation, respect, and gender inclusivity. We are honored to work alongside PSGDN to ensure that access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care is equitable, affirming, and responsive to the realities of LGBQT ...
About the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN)
PSGDN is the regional LGBTQI+ network for the Pacific, with its Secretariat based in Suva, Fiji. Through 14 National Member Organisations, PSGDN advances community-led advocacy, legal protection, health, safety, and well-being for Pacific Islanders of Diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions, and Sex Characteristics (PIDSOGIESC+). PSGDN promotes inclusion, human rights, and diversity across the region.
For more information, visit www.psgdn.org
About the International Planned Parenthood Federation Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific (IPPF SROP)
IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. In the Pacific, ten (10) affiliated Member Associations deliver sexual and reproductive health care, awareness and education through physical and mobile health clinics, community-based programmes and youth engagement, including in humanitarian settings. The IPPF SROP secretariat is based in Suva, Fiji.
For more information, visit www.eseaor.ippf.org
For media enquiries or further information, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Media Release: PSGDN, IPPF SROP sign MoU to strengthen SRHR and LGBTQI+ rights
