Senegal: IPPFAR Calls on Government to honour Maputo Protocol Obligations in Wake of Press Release  4 July 2024, Nairobi, Kenya: On 8 June 2024, the Ministry of Health and Social Action, Senegal, issued a statement titled ‘On the dangers of induced abortions’ (‘Sur les dangers des avortements provoqués’).   While the Senegalese Ministry of Health is correct in warning its citizens of the dangers of unsafe abortions, we are concerned about the interchangeable use of the terminologies “induced abortions”, “clandestine abortions”, and “unsafe abortions” in the statement. Senegal’s penal code completely prohibits the termination of pregnancy, while the medical code of ethics allows an abortion if three doctors agree that it is necessary to save a woman’s life. Such restrictive laws lead to clandestine abortions, while unsafe abortions refer to procedures done by an unskilled provider in a manner that does not adhere to WHO guidelines.  “IPPF Africa reiterates that abortions are a safe medical procedure when provided by a trained provider or when a person has access to high quality medication, information and support to safely undergo a medical abortion”, said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director.  The statement makes clear the Government’s concern for the health and wellbeing of women and girls, therefore IPPFAR urges the Ministry of Health and Social Action of Senegal to recognise that without access to safe abortion care, women will continue to suffer and seek life-threatening alternatives.  Legally restricting abortion does not reduce rates of abortion, instead, they increase the rates of unsafe abortion and the associated risks including high rates of maternal mortality, which runs counter to the aims of the Senegalese Government as outlined in its press release.   Access to safe abortion services is grounded in international legal frameworks and standards, supported by fundamental human rights principles.  “We encourage  the Senegalese Government to recommit to its obligations under the Maputo Protocol which it ratified in 2005, particularly Article 14(2)(c), which says that States must protect the reproductive rights of women including legally permitting abortion care in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest and where the continued pregnancy endangers the mental and physical health of the mother or the life of the mother or foetus”, added Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry.  Access to legal and safe abortion reduces preventable maternal mortality. IPPF Africa supports the call by local civil society organisations to break the stereotypes around abortion while also providing accurate health-based information.     END For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Strategic Communication, Voice and Media, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFAR) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.    

BACKGROUND In the wake of the US Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on Roe v. Wade in June 2022, a group of Africa-focused abortion rights organizations (IPPF Africa Region, Ipas Africa Alliance, Centre for Reproductive Rights Africa, Population Council Kenya and FIGO) came together to discuss the ruling’s implications on the continent and consider the case for an ‘abortion consortium’ that might more effectively protect and promote abortion rights in Africa. Agreeing a consortium could fill a critical gap, the group convened a workshop in Nairobi with a wider network of partners to develop a Theory of Change and map a way forward. Dubbed CATALYSTS, the Consortium set an ambitious and unambiguously comprehensive vision as captured in the Theory of Change and narrative. In the phrase “abortion care for all in Africa”, partners enshrined the consortium’s vision of universal abortion rights and access to high-quality care on the continent.   This type of organic consortium on abortion has not yet been attempted. ·       We are African thought leaders, field builders and a vehicle for driving accountability. ·       We are a Consortium of the brave with a track record of never backtracking Our solution is powerful, impactful, and led by those doing the work. ·       We are building collective legitimacy by building an African critical mass that can effectively open doors, advocate more strongly and underpin bolder action.  ·       We are Africa-led: We are decolonizing and reframing the discourse around abortion rights in Africa by centering African perspectives, experiences and voices.     The 5Cs – OUR STRATEGIC POSITION IN THE ABORTION SPACE IN AFRICA  We aim to be a catalytic partner, working synergistically and reducing the duplication of efforts in our resource-shrinking arena. CATALYSTS aims to facilitate collaboration and weave connections amongst diverse stakeholders at multiple scales in East and Southern Africa. We will be innovative, fast acting, driving a positive movement and serving as a knowledge base and a networking space across the continent. Specifically, the CATALYST consortium aspires to play 5 pivotal roles:  Convening and connecting: A DEDICATED space that will serve as a hub for information, resources and discussions related to abortion rights. By providing various spaces and opportunities for interactions, networking and knowledge exchange, CATALYSTS will facilitate meaningful connections and collaborations amongst African actors in the abortion space.    Coordinating for Success:  CATALYSTS will enable abortion rights actors in each of the eastern and southern African target countries and subsequently across the region to unite their efforts, amplify their voices, and respond collectively to deliver a positive, unified, Africa-led and justice-focused movement. We believe that by coordinating our efforts, sharing resources, and promoting solidarity, CATALYSTS will strengthen the abortion rights movement and enhance our collective ability to protect and advance abortion rights.    Cultivating Technical Excellence: CATALYSTS will leverage collective expertise, resources, and knowledge to provide valuable support and technical assistance to organizations working in the abortion rights space. By consistently producing and disseminating valuable information, CATALYSTS positions itself as a trusted source of expertise that contributes to the overall growth and strengthening of the field.    Centralizing Research: We aim to be the go-to resource center for up-to-date research, next generation methods, best practices and knowledge related to abortion rights. To position ourselves as a pooling house for credible and valuable knowledge, CATALYSTS will collate and harbor cutting-edge research, engage in collaborative research projects with research centers, academic institutions and universities where needed, and curate and disseminate research outputs.   Cumulating catalytic capital: CATALYSTS recognizes the urgent need to advocate with funders to expand and unlock resources for abortion rights- and not just for the usual suspects. We want to help shape the donor landscape by pushing the boundaries on what is considered best practice in feminist philanthropy. We will also do this by bringing traditional and non-traditional donors together to fund in new ways that deliver impact for abortion care. We will do this by launching a donor taskforce.    Find out more about CATALYST and join us here.

By Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry and Mallah Tabot June 24th this year marks the second anniversary of the repeal of Roe v. Wade, a seismic shift in the landscape of reproductive rights that has reverberated far beyond the borders of the United States. In June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 ruling which had established a woman's legal right under the US Constitution to have an abortion. This repeal has had global repercussions, further emboldening anti-abortion movements, and influencing reproductive rights debates, policies, funding, and services. In Africa, not only did it send shockwaves, but has also prompted a reflection and re-evaluation of our role as African stakeholders in shaping the future of reproductive rights everywhere on the continent. In many countries on the continent where access to abortion care is already fraught with challenges, this development serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of reproductive rights. It highlights the danger of complacency and the need for vigilance in protecting and advancing these rights and reminds us that abortion is not a moral issue for debate, it is healthcare, and a fundamental human right. While the repeal has sparked renewed activism and advocacy for rights actors on the continent, it has also further emboldened conservative factions and a growing anti-rights movement to push for more restrictive laws and policies through novel tactics to further their agenda. Under the guise of protecting the family, anti-abortion narratives are used as entry points to infiltrate political, legislative and advocacy spaces to roll back hard-won gains.   Even going as far as setting up alternative research institutions in Africa to generate quasi-scientific evidence to counter reputed research bodies like the Guttmacher Institute. Increasingly, a key tactic is the weaponizing of First Ladies to further the anti-rights agenda. In Kenya, the National Family Protection Policy, drafted by a major anti-rights group, Citizen Go was launched by the First Lady, despite not undergoing public participation and receiving lots of criticism from rights actors. In Uganda, the Geneva Consensus declaration, an anti-abortion joint statement is making inroads in the country through its affiliation with the First Lady, even though the “Consensus” has no legal or policy underpinning. This trajectory underscores a critical reality: Nothing is safe, our continent is a battleground for the ideological struggles taking place elsewhere in the world, sadly, our human rights, including SRHR are at the highest risk. We must forge our own path, grounded in the unique political contexts of our nations through our partnerships with local organizations and governments. As one of the leading voices on SRHR advocacy and services in Africa, IPPF believes now is the time for Africa to assert its leadership in the global fight for reproductive justice. In collaboration with other key actors on the continent and beyond, IPPF is committed to continue playing a pivotal role in the SRHR landscape of Africa. We will continue to expand access to abortion care, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized, comprehensive sexuality education, contraceptive services and reaching those in humanitarian settings. Despite these efforts, much work remains. The disparities in access and the entrenched stigma surrounding abortion care continue to hinder our progress. One of the key initiatives we are proud to be part of is the CATALYSTS Consortium,  which was born out of this landmark ruling in June 2022. Following the ruling, IPPF Africa Region, Ipas Africa Alliance, Centre for Reproductive Rights Africa, Population Council Kenya and FIGO came together to discuss the ruling’s implications on the continent and consider the case for an abortion consortium that might more effectively protect and promote abortion rights in Africa. Launching on June 27th, the Consortium has set an ambitious and unambiguously comprehensive vision for abortion care for all in Africa. This type of organic consortium on abortion has not yet been attempted. As African thought leaders, field builders and a vehicle for driving accountability, we are a Consortium of the brave with a track record of never backtracking. Our solution is powerful, impactful, and led by those doing the work while building an African critical mass that can effectively open doors, advocate more strongly and underpin bolder action. CATALYSTS is Africa-led, committed to decolonizing, and reframing the discourse around abortion rights in Africa by centring African perspectives, experiences, and voices. But we cannot achieve our goals in isolation. It is imperative that African governments, activists, youth groups and other civil society groups recognize the urgency of prioritizing reproductive rights. Governments must decriminalize abortion, ensure access to contraceptives, and protect the rights of individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health and rights. Cross-border activist solidarity is imperative if we must move the needle on reproductive justice, and young people should be recognized as not just a passive group with SRHR needs but as critical actors at the centre of the journey towards reproductive justice. IPPF ARO stands ready to champion this charge, but we need the support and collaboration of governments, communities, and international partners. CATALYSTS launches on June 27th after close to two years of consultation, course correction, investment, and realignment. I invite you to join us in bringing this vision to life, which will be marked by the unveiling of the website, Theory of Change, and call to action. It promises to be a celebration of our collective achievements and a testament to the transformative power of collaboration. As we mark the second anniversary of the Roe v. Wade repeal, the stakes could not be higher for African SRHR actors. The urgent need for a unified and proactive approach to safeguard and advance reproductive rights on the continent is imperative as the path forward requires bold action, unwavering commitment, and a collective direction. For us, the lesson is clear: They are coming for us, bolder, stronger, and more organized, and we cannot depend on the legal frameworks or political will of foreign nations to safeguard our reproductive rights. Instead, we must strike back and reclaim our narrative, and enforce our own robust policies that reflect the needs and realities of our people.  

By Maryanne W. WAWERU Mifepristone, one of the two medications used for abortion and post-abortion care (PAC) is now registered in Tanzania. Various organizations, including IPPF’s Member Association (MA) in the country, Chama cha Uzazi na Malezi Bora Tanzania (UMATI) played a key advocacy role towards its authorization in Tanzania. In this interview, we speak to Mr. Daniel Kirhima, UMATI’s Head of Programmes, about the role that the organization played towards this advocacy win, and what this now means for Tanzanian women and girls. What role did UMATI play in advocating for the registration and authorization of mifepristone? Through the Coalition to Address Maternal Morbidity and Mortality due to Abortion and its Complications (CAMMAC), UMATI continues to engage in different advocacy activities, more so those pertaining to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR). One of the key issues that the CAMMAC coalition advocated for was the approval of registration/authorization of mifepristone in the country with technical support from the Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Tanzania (AGOTA). In its capacity as one of the leading SRHR advocates and service providers in the country, UMATI disseminated different studies on postabortion and abortion cases undertaken by the Guttmacher Institute to build the capacity of CAMMAC members[i], policymakers, media houses, and local civil society organizations (CSOs) to advocate for the full realization of the Maputo Protocol on safe abortion – which is in progress. What was the process and how was UMATI involved? As part of the process, the CAMMAC members, including UMATI, worked together towards the development of evidence-based advocacy tools including a fact sheet showing the magnitude of unsafe abortion in Tanzania, policy briefs on legal gaps and loopholes indicating the need for safe abortion, and recommendations for policymakers to embrace the proposed policy change. UMATI was involved in all the meetings with decision-makers at the Ministry of Health (MoH) and with different policymakers, including Members of Parliament. Could you please share some statistics on maternal death linked to unsafe abortions in Tanzania? Maternal Mortality rate in Tanzania is 104/100,000 live births (TDHS 2022) and roughly one-quarter of maternal deaths, indicating that one out of four maternal deaths is due to unsafe abortion (Guttmacher Institutes, 2016) What is the current legal policy context on abortion in Tanzania, and how is UMATI navigating this context? Currently, the abortion laws in Tanzania are restrictive, allowing the procedure only to save the life of the pregnant woman. The penal code allows abortion when the pregnancy threatens the life of the pregnant woman, and pre-independence jurisprudence has affirmed that this also includes when the pregnancy affects the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman, or when the pregnancy results from rape. This jurisprudence, however, is not reflected in any law or policy. Through the support of IPPF and the Guttmacher Institute, UMATI currently supports SRHR partners through the CAMMAC coalition to advocate for abortion law to authorize abortions in cases of assault, rape, and incest, and when continuing with the pregnancy endangers the mental and physical health of the pregnant woman and life of the pregnant woman or fetus. UMATI uses the Guttmacher abortion research findings and fact sheets in strengthening the capacities of partners including CAMMAC members, policymakers, media houses, and local CSOs to amplify voices in advocating for the Government to undertake a law reform process to localise the Maputo protocol on safe abortion in national laws and policies. This advocacy agenda is still ongoing. What does the registration and authorization of mifepristone mean for Tanzanian girls and woman? It will mean an increased ability to protect women and girls against unwanted/unintended pregnancies. Women and girls will now be able to avoid unsafe abortions they were previously exposed to. The authorization of mifepristone could pave the way for the legalization of safe abortion in Tanzania. Women and girls will now enjoy the human right to life as maternal deaths due to unsafe abortion will be tremendously reduced. Tell us about the importance of partnerships when achieving such successes? Joint advocacy is vital, particularly in tough legal environments such as those that restrict abortion. In such cases, it requires joint efforts and partners to amplify voices for policy change. UMATI believes that “many voices are louder and carry more weight than individual voices”. While noting that advocacy work requires a lot of resources, UMATI’s involvement in such partnerships ensures the effective and efficient sharing of limited resources to achieve greater milestones. What is UMATI’s commitment to Tanzanian women and girls? UMATI is committed to continue advocating for their rights, especially their rights to access SRHR services and enjoy a better life as part of their human rights. [i] The 12 coalition member organizations include TAWLA, Pathfinder, Marie stopes, UMATI, WGNRR Africa, ULINGO, Engender Health, PSI, WADADA Initiatives, WPC, KIVIDEA, TAHECAP and HAKI ZETU. Follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

24 October 2022. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 45% of all abortions are unsafe and almost all of these occur in developing countries[1]. An unsafe abortion is a procedure for terminating an unwanted pregnancy either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment lacking minimal medical standards or both. Unsafe abortions result in the deaths of 47,000 women every year and leaves millions temporarily or permanently disabled[2]. An estimated 93% of women of reproductive age in Africa live in countries with restrictive abortion laws[3]. This means that the countries’ laws only permit abortion in certain cases, often only if there is risk to the woman’s life, her health, the pregnancy is the result of rape, or there is evidence of foetal impairment. On this first-day of the Regional Safe Abortion Dialogue, organized by the Organisation pour le Dialogue sur l'Avortement Sécurisé (ODAS), IPPF Africa Region reaffirms its commitment to championing and providing abortion care and reducing the number of deaths of women and girls who are forced to turn to unsafe abortion methods for fear of arrests and harassment. IPPF Africa Region would also like to amplify the statement made by the  Honourable Commissioner Janet R Sallah-Njie, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa at the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Pressrelease (achpr.org) urging State Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter) to honour their commitments under the African Charter; and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol or Protocol), by decriminalising abortion in their respective countries. “We applaud ODAS and all the other partnerships and actors who are working tirelessly to expand access to abortion care. Almost 90% of abortions in countries with liberal abortion laws are considered safe, compared to only 25% in countries where abortion is banned. This is a gross violation of human rights. Medical abortion has revolutionised access to care and safe abortion, both inside and outside the health system; and safe and effective abortion self-care means that people can now safely terminate their pregnancies in the privacy of their own homes. These advances must be protected,” said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, Regional Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Africa Region. “Ensuring accessing to abortion care is critical for the complete fulfilment of sexual and reproductive health and rights”, added Comlan Christian Agbozo, the Executive Director of the Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille (ABPF). “As one of the leading providers of sexual and reproductive health services in Benin, we are very fortunate that the new law passed in Benin in November 2021, is providing women with expanded options to access abortion care in instances that they may not want, or be able, to continue with a pregnancy.” The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading providers of quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa and a prominent sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. [1] Abortion (who.int) [2] WHO | Preventing unsafe abortion [3] Abortion in Africa | Guttmacher Institute

By Buumba Siamalube, Advocacy and Youth Engagement Manager, Copper Rose Zambia Although abortion is technically legal in Zambia, the reality of getting an abortion is far more complicated. The abortion law has many barriers in practice, policy and implementation levels. This has contributed to unsafe abortions which remain a significant problem causing deaths and disability across the country. Although evidence on the incidence and consequences of unsafe abortion in recent years is scarce, studies from the early 2000’s identify the common methods used across the country, such as ingesting toxins like detergent and inserting cassava sticks in the cervix. While information and utilization of legal abortion is becoming more common, high levels of unsafe abortions continue to persist. Despite the many barriers to access safe abortions, Zambia has among the most liberal abortion policies in Sub-Saharan African. The Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Act of 1972 permits abortion in Zambia under the following circumstances: the pregnancy causes risk to the life of the pregnant woman; risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; risk of injury to the physical or mental health of any existing children of the woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated; or if there is substantial risk of fetal malformation. Further, the law states that if the continuance of a pregnancy would involve great risk, account may be taken of the pregnant woman's environment or of her age. Further amendments to the Penal Code have allowed for abortion in cases of rape and incest.  In an effort to raise awareness on safe abortion, Copper Rose Zambia (CRZ) has worked in Petauke and Nyimba districts of Eastern province on the Safe Reproductive Health Awareness Project. The project involved engaging stakeholders to raise awareness on safe abortion services being offered at various rural health facilities in the districts. The goal of the project was to reduce unsafe abortions among adolescents and young girls in the Eastern Province of Zambia. In 2020, the province recorded over 12,000 teenage pregnancies and over 1,000 complications resulting from unsafe abortions majority being from Nyimba and Petauke. Copper Rose Zambia led safe abortion awareness community outreaches at one of the colleges providing health sciences in the district. We sensitized the students on the laws available in Zambia with regards to Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) and the services offered at health facilities. The response from the students was positive as most of them did not know that safe abortion is legal in Zambia and that health facilities offers such services – they shared that this information is not readily available to most Zambians because of cultural stigma and religious beliefs. Through this work we met a 21-year-old girl called Chisomo. She told us that she had unprotected sex and became pregnant. She thought it was best to terminate the pregnancy because she was still in school. During one of our community awareness sessions, Chisomo reached out to the CRZ peer educators for guidance as she was planning to visit a witch doctor for an unsafe abortion. CRZ shared more information with her and referred her to the hospital for a safe abortion. Following up with her, CRZ found that when she reached the hospital, she was sent to a safe abortion screening room, the service provider who was in charge of conducting the service asked her a number of uncomfortable questions and later told her she couldn’t perform the abortion on her because she was young and it’s a sin to terminate a pregnancy for “no reason”. The health care provider imposed her beliefs about abortion and hence this made the girl very uncomfortable. She left the facility and the service was not performed. Days later, her parents were informed that their daughter visited the health facility for an abortion. Chisomo was forced to go through the pregnancy causing her to drop out of school and raise the child on her own. This shows the many layers of barriers a young woman can face trying to access healthcare. To this end, we continue to deliberately share information on safe abortion in many areas of our work. For example, on the Safe Abortion Project, CRZ focused on training health care providers in Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation so that their beliefs are not imposed on their clients. As the project was being implemented, it was found that there is a need to shift mindsets of health care providers in order to allow more young women access to safe abortion services at health facilities. CRZ firmly believes in access to information so that women can make the right decisions for themselves. Copper Rose Zambia (CRZ) is a grantee partner of the Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF) a global abortion fund hosted by IPPF. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Nairobi – 25 June 2022 – The decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn the landmark Roe V Wade on abortion will trigger total or near total bans on abortion care in approximately 26 states across the United States of America. This decision not only affects the United States but undoubtedly we will see a ripple effect across the world. Overturning Roe v. Wade is the biggest blow to women's health and rights in recent U.S history. It removes 50 years of safe and legal abortion across the U.S. and puts the lives of millions of women, girls and gender diverse people into the hands of state legislators – many of whom are Conservative extremists who are anti-woman, anti-LGBTI+ and anti-gender. By continuing this attack on women's bodies and forcing them to carry pregnancies to term, the highest court in the United States has reached its lowest point, robbing millions of their liberty, bodily autonomy and freedom - the very values the United States prides itself on. The decision is also out of step with the America people, the majority of whom support access to abortion care. "The fallout from this calculated decision will also reverberate worldwide, emboldening other anti-abortion, anti-woman and anti-gender movements and impacting other reproductive freedoms. The justices who put their personal beliefs ahead of American will, precedent and law will soon have blood on their hands, and we are devastated for the millions of people who will suffer from this cruel judgment", said Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. “We know from our experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights that extremist groups and lawmakers opposed to gender equality have fought long and hard to control women’s and girls’ bodies. These groups play politics with the bodily integrity of women and girls, denying scientific findings and challenging well-grounded evidence that banning abortion does not stop women from choosing to have the procedure, only forcing them to turn to potentially dangerous alternatives. These groups also force health care providers to choose between saving a woman’s life and facing criminal charges. There is no such thing as preventing abortion; there is only banning safe abortion”, said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Africa Region (IPPFAR) Regional Director.  She further added that “while the US may be regressing and rolling back on the human rights of women and girls, we now look to other countries including Benin and Kenya, which have recently signalled their commitment to protecting and fulfilling the rights of women and girls to access safe abortion care. These countries now lead the charge, and we as global voices in reproductive rights worldwide, must continue working hard to make these rights a reality, while maintaining and building on them.”  END Media Contacts: Mahmoud Garga, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] -Phone +254 704 626 920 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.  

The project objective is to improve access to Abortion Self Care (ASC), youth empowerment, and strengthening the use of digital interventions. Budget:  1,500,000 USD Donor: The David & Lucile Packard Foundation Timeline: 2 Years ( January 2021 -  December 2022 ) Project implementation areas: Cameroon, Ghana, Cambodia, and India Partners: CAMNAFAW, PPAG,RHAC, FPAI, Ipas, Y-Labs, and IBIS Key achievements to date: Youth engagement in SRHR advocacy ASC as an option for all clients Digital/m health to increase access to SRHR and CSE Influence national guidelines and policies Review of IPPF IMAP- integrating ASC Generating leanings & sharing Building capacities of start-ups ( YSVF) Virtual immersion program Innovative approaches: Access to SRHR and CSE through digital/m health YSVF -  working with young entrepreneurs to accelerate & enhance existing SRHR solutions Lessons learned: Aggregating client data in DHI, DHIs works best in hybrid models compared to stand-alone models, multi-language engagement

The Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF) was established in 2006, in response to the US government's Global Gag Rule, as a multi‑donor mechanism to support global abortion‑related programming. Hosted by IPPF, SAAF provides small grants to locally-run organisations that promote safe abortion and prevent unsafe abortion through advocacy and awareness raising, service delivery and research activities, and has supported such projects for over a decade. SAAF Supports projects run by IPPF Member Associations as well as other organisations not affiliated with IPPF. By the end of 2016 SAAF had provided US$43 million funding to 188 projects in over 62 countries. SAAF focuses on the needs of the marginalized and most vulnerable women and girls. By visibly funding projects using an international funding mechanism, SAAF works to destigmatize abortion and to legitimize the abortion debate. For more information about the fund visit the SAAF website www.saafund.org.

This programme addresses critical challenges faced by young women around sexual health and sexuality. It has produced a range of advocacy, education and informational materials to support research, awareness-raising, advocacy and service delivery.    Girls Decide is about the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and young women. Around the world, girls aged 10 to 19 account for 23% of all disease associated with pregnancy and childbirth. An estimated 2.5 million have unsafe abortions every year. Worldwide, young women account for 60% of the 5.5 million young people living with HIV and/or AIDS. Girls Decide has produced a range of advocacy, education and informational materials to support work to improve sexual health and rights for girls and young women. These include a series of films on sexual and reproductive health decisions faced by 6 young women in 6 different countries. The films won the prestigious International Video and Communications Award (IVCA). When girls and young women have access to critical lifesaving services and information, and when they are able to make meaningful choices about their life path, they are empowered. Their quality of life improves, as does the well-being of their families and the communities in which they live. Their collective ability to achieve internationally agreed development goals is strengthened. Almost all IPPF Member Associations provide services to young people and 1 in every 3 clients is a young person below the age of 25. All young women and girls are rights-holders and are entitled to sexual and reproductive rights. As a matter of principle, the IPPF Secretariat and Member Associations stand by girls by respecting and fulfilling their right to high quality services; they stand up for girls by supporting them in making their own decisions related to sexuality and pregnancy; they stand for sexual and reproductive rights by addressing the challenges faced by young women and girls at local, national and international levels.