One of our main priorities is to ensure universal access to, and informed use of effective contraception. Millions of people lack the knowledge and information to determine when or whether they have children, and they are unable to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Articles by Contraception
CONTRACEPTION AND BRIDGING THE ORGASM GAP
CONTRACEPTION AND BRIDGING THE ORGASM GAP Contraception is a critical aspect of sexual health, and its role goes beyond simply preventing pregnancy. It opens up space for people to explore their sexuality with confidence, free from the mental burden of unintended pregnancies. As society becomes more comfortable discussing sexual wellness, it’s important to broaden the conversation about contraception to include not just safety but also pleasure, empowerment, and sexual satisfaction. One of the key elements of sexual empowerment is understanding the orgasm gap, or the disparity between the frequency of orgasms experienced by men and women, especially in heterosexual encounters. Studies have long shown that men consistently reach orgasm more frequently than women, underscoring a significant imbalance. This gap isn't simply a biological issue; it’s rooted in cultural narratives that often prioritize male pleasure while neglecting the complex nature of female and gender-diverse experiences. The issue can also be traced back to inadequate sexual education and a lack of emphasis on women’s pleasure, leaving many with unmet needs during intimate encounters. Contraception can be an empowering tool in bridging this orgasm gap. When freely accessible, contraception provides individuals with the freedom to enjoy sex without the constant anxiety of an unintended pregnancy. Sexual partners can engage in open conversations about their sexual needs, desires, and preferences, an essential step in fostering a more balanced and pleasurable sexual experience. With contraception, both partners can approach sex as a mutual experience, emphasizing not only safety but also satisfaction. As people take control over their reproductive health, they are more confident in asserting their right to pleasure, which is crucial in closing the orgasm gap. Contraceptive products today offer more than just pregnancy prevention; they can actively enhance sexual pleasure for all genders. Ribbed or textured condoms, for example, are designed to provide additional stimulation for both partners, adding excitement and intensity to the experience. Female condoms, though less frequently discussed, offer an equally unique advantage. The outer ring of a female condom sits outside the vagina, allowing for clitoral stimulation during intercourse, which can be especially enjoyable for the receiving partner. Additionally, many condoms are available with special lubricants that offer sensations like warming, cooling, or tingling effects, which add another dimension of pleasure to safe sex. Understanding the variety of contraceptive options is essential for ensuring that individuals can find the method that best aligns with their needs. Everyone’s body is different, and while some people may find certain methods effective and pleasurable, others may require alternative options. It’s crucial to explore the wide range of available products, whether hormonal or barrier methods and to seek advice from trusted resources like health professionals or reputable websites. By increasing awareness and education about these products, individuals can make more informed decisions about their sexual health, ensuring that they feel comfortable and empowered. The younger generation, in particular, can benefit from greater access to comprehensive sexuality education that not only emphasizes contraception but also addresses pleasure and equality in sexual experiences. As young people increasingly turn to digital platforms for information, they must have access to accurate, inclusive, accessible, and user-friendly content. Trusted resources and websites can play a vital role in ensuring that young people are equipped with the knowledge to make informed choices about their sexual health. Learning about the variety of contraceptive options, understanding the importance of pleasure, and engaging in open conversations about sex and empowerment will enable them to foster healthier, more balanced intimate lives. Closing the orgasm gap requires more than just awareness; it demands a cultural shift in how we view sex, pleasure, and empowerment. The dialogue around contraception must evolve to include discussions of equality and satisfaction for all genders. By promoting the idea that contraception and pleasure are interconnected, we can help people achieve fulfilling, mutually enjoyable, and safe sexual experiences. Access to diverse contraceptive methods, paired with sex-positive education and open dialogue, creates the foundation for more equitable and pleasurable sexual experiences. Ultimately, contraception is not just a tool for pregnancy prevention, it is a pathway to sexual liberation, pleasure, and empowerment for all. — If you are looking for more information on contraception or you need to find a contraceptive tool that is suited for you, Find My Method has the resources you need to explore your options.
Japan Trust Fund
The Japan Trust Fund (JTF) represents a visionary partnership that began in 2000 between the Government of Japan and IPPF. Together, we invest in programmes that prioritize health equity, gender equality, and human security for all. Traditionally a driving force behind IPPF's efforts to support the integrated HIV prevention programmes of our Member Associations in Africa and Asia, JTF has adjusted to reflect changing global health priorities. We attach importance to universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights - an essential contributor to universal health coverage and the global development goals. These projects have transformed the lives of people most vulnerable to HIV and high risk of maternal and child mortality. Equally, it ensures that as a donor, the GOJ’s response to HIV remains people-centred and contributes to human security.
Sustainable Networks
Support for International Family Planning Organizations 2; Sustainable Networks (SIFPO 2) is a five-year programme funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed at improving IPPF's capacity to significantly increase family planning programming worldwide, working in partnership with The Population Council and IPPF Member Associations. USAID, through SIFPO 2 is supporting IPPF to deliver high quality, affordable family planning services to young, poor and, underserved women and men in USAID prioiryt countries. By strengthening IPPF's organizational capacity and by supporting Member Associations directly, SIFPO 2 is helping build a stronger, more effective federation. By the end of the project in 2019, we aim to: Strengthen organizational systems and improved capacity to deliver quality family planning and other health programmes Test, implement and disseminate innovations, tools and approaches for delivering family planning services to young, poor and underserved communities Implement or leverage financing mechanism that improve the sustainability of family planning and other health services Strengthen the capacity of IPPF Member Associations and other partner governments to provide high quality family planning and other health services Pursue innovative partnerships to strengthen health service delivery networks The Support for International Family Planning Organisations – SIFPO 2 – will transform IPPF’s systems and capacity to deliver quality assured, affordable Family Planning. Through a series of targeted investments, IPPF will move to a new trajectory of performance with new systems that enable data driven decision making and partnerships that increase sustainability. This investment will revolutionize our network and improve health and rights for millions of young, poor and/or underserved women and men in USAID family planning priority countries. Result areas Strengthening Organizational Capacity. The Sustainable Networks award provides IPPF with the opportunity to invest in strengthening its global systems to deliver high quality family planning. The project will allow for targeted contributions to our health management information system, supply chain management, and quality of care. We will support leadership and implementation of best practice across all MAs through organizational learning and investments in impactful, proven models of service delivery. Increasing Sustainability of Country-Level Family Planning. Sustainable Networks offers USAID the opportunity to leverage IPPF’s broad reach and extensive service delivery network by investing directly in locally owned and managed organizations. Through Sustainable Networks, our Member Associations will build the capacity of their local partners to provide high quality family planning and other health services and will pursue innovative partnerships to strengthen their health service delivery networks. Partners In order to deliver SIFPO-2, IPPF has partnered with selected family planning and research organizations including: The Population Council conducts research to address critical health and development issues. The Population Council will lead the research components of SIFPO-2 and will ensure that systematic evidence is generated on IPPF's programmes for organizational learning and wider dissemination. University of California San Diego (UCSD) Center on Gender Equity and Health (GEH) conducts innovative global public health research, including developing and evaluating evidence-based policies and practices related to gender-based violence and other gender inequities and their impact on health. IPPF and GEH are adapting and evaluating a promising clinic-based intervention (ARCHES, Addressing Reproductive Coercion in Health Settings) to reduce intimate partner violence, reproductive coercion, and related unintended pregnancy among women and girls attending family planning clinics. SIFPO-2 is also working in partnership with IPPF member associations in Nepal, Kenya, Malawi, Liberia, the Ivory Coast, Togo, Domonican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The Support for International Family Planning Organizations 2 - Sustainable Networks project is a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the US Agency for International Development under Agreement No. AID-0AA-A-14-00038, beginning May 13, 2014. The information provided in this document is not official US government information and does not necessarily represent the views or positions of the US Agency for International Development. Project activities Here is a selection of SIFPO2 project activities across Asia, Africa and Latin America: Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) Supporting voluntary family planning and Zika prevention in countries affected by Zika Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK)
Evidence Project
Under the Evidence project, IPPF is undertaking innovative research on respecting, protecting and promoting human rights in family planning/reproductive health services and ensuring community voices are part of efforts to improve and strengthen family planning programming. The Evidence Project uses implementation science to improve family planning policies, programs, and practices. Led by the Population Council in partnership with INDEPTH Network, International Planned Parenthood Federation, PATH, Population Reference Bureau, and the project’s University Resource Network, the five-year project (2013–2018) is investigating which strategies work best in improving, expanding, and sustaining family planning services. IPPF is leading on two cross-cutting areas of research. Firstly under the Evidence project, we are undertaking research on how the respect and protection of human rights of women and girls can be instituted and operationalised, and how programs can be held accountable for providing high-quality services. http://evidenceproject.popcouncil.org/technical-areas-and-activities/equity-rights-and-accountability. In order to address the need for indicators and tools for rights based family planning, the Evidence Project has partnered with global experts on human rights and family planning, the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s Sustainable Network Project (SIFPO/IPPF) and with colleagues at Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) to develop and validate the Rights-Based Family Planning (RBFP) Service Delivery Index in Uganda. This is work is being undertaken in close collaboration with the Economic Policy Research Centre Uganda and University College London. In addition, we are undertaking a variety of activities that aim to contribute to a deeper knowledge of whether and how the implementation of accountability mechanisms in family planning and reproductive health programs improves clients’ access to and quality of services. For example, a multi-site case study in Uganda uses process evaluation methodology to explore the implementation of two social accountability programs, aiming to determine what hinders and facilitates engagement at the community level and its translation into improved social accountability processes and reproductive health outcomes. http://evidenceproject.popcouncil.org/accountability-mechanisms-to-improve-family-planning-and-reproductive-health-programs/
Joining Voices
More and more low- and middle-income countries are pledging pledged to expand access to rights-based family planning. Through Joining Voices you can ensure your government meets its commitments. Joining Voices is an advocacy project that aims to safeguard and strengthen financial commitments to reproductive health and family planning, and reinforce political leadership on universal access. Joining Voices is facilitated on behalf of civil society by IPPF and Countdown 2015 Europe. The project is led by IPPF European Network and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Girls Decide
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.
ACT!2030
IPPF collaborates with UNAIDS and The PACT to implement ACT!2030 (formerly ACT!2015), a youth-led social action initiative which engages young people in 12 countries with advocacy and accountability around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other SRHR agreements/frameworks. ACT!2030 was initiated in 2013 as a way to increase youth participation in the negotiations leading up to the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, and for two years focused on establishing alliances of youth-led and youth-serving organisations in 12 countries across the world. The project is currently in Phase 4, which runs until the end of 2017, and aims to establish youth-led, data-driven accountability mechanisms to ensure youth engagement with the implementation of the SDGs and build an evidence base for advocacy. Ultimately, Phase 4 of ACT!2030 seeks to identify, assess and address key policy barriers to young people’s sexual and reproductive data by using existing data, supplemented by youth-collected data, to advocate and lobby for policy change. This phase involves four main activities: indicator advocacy (persuading decision makers to adopt youth-friendly SRHR and HIV indicators, including on things like comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and access to youth-friendly services, into national/global reporting mechanisms); evidence gathering (creating national databases on quality of and access to youth-friendly services and CSE); communications (transforming this data and evidence into communications pieces that can be used to advocacy and lobby at national and international level); and global exchange (facilitating global visibility to share advocacy and engagement learnings and increase youth-led accountability in global and regional processes). ACT!2030 is implemented by national alliances of youth organisations in 12 countries: Algeria, Bulgaria, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Ghana offers free long-term contraception in a ‘game changer’ for women’s reproductive health rights
In a major win for women’s reproductive rights, Ghana’s National Health Insurance Program has expanded to include free long-term contraception from 1 January 2022. The move will allow millions of women of reproductive age who are already covered by national health insurance to avoid paying out of pocket for family planning methods such as the implant, coil and injections. It comes after a two-year pilot study found that including family planning services in health benefits packages resulted in a greater uptake of long-term contraception and future government savings in direct care costs. “We are excited that at long last, long-term family planning methods are included in the National Health Insurance Scheme,” said Abena Adubea Amoah, the Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood of Ghana (PPAG), an IPPF Member Association. “This means long time peace of mind for women, girls and their families with potential positive impact on their health and economic life.” Tackling deep-rooted barriers to healthcare In late 2021, the government of Ghana launched a year-long campaign aimed at raising awareness of and preventing maternal deaths in line with Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The role of family planning in reducing preventable maternal death is well documented, with unsafe abortion being one of the leading causes. Yet, Ghana is a country where deep-rooted cultural norms and structural barriers perpetuate poor sexual and reproductive health, including high risks of maternal mortality, high numbers of sexually transmitted infections and low levels of contraceptive use. Despite making important progress in recent years, Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio is 308 per 100,000 live births, which is still well above the SDG target of less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. PPAG will play an important role in supporting the government in its campaign to prevent maternal deaths and disabilities. Since 1967, PPAG has provided the people of Ghana with family planning services as well as maternal and child health care, infertility management, and voluntary counselling and testing for sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS. With over 100 staff members, a team of 1,000 volunteers, and 300 peer educators, PPAG is well-positioned to deliver health services and programmes through permanent and mobile clinics in urban and rural communities across the country. The association's Youth Action Team, comprised of over 810 young people, leads a number of educational and awareness-raising activities at 1000 community-based service points across the country. The contraceptive injection, implant, IUD - some of the options on offer to women in Ghana. Image: Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition “The youth of Ghana remain the bedrock of the country’s socio-economic development and a critical force for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals alongside the African Union Agenda 2063,” said Ishmael Selassie, PPAG’s Youth Programmes Manager. “The recent move by the government of Ghana to make contraceptives and related services covered by the national health insurance scheme is a game changer. The youth of this country, especially the poor, vulnerable and adolescent girls can hopefully live a healthy sexual life with the assurance of unhindered access to family planning and contraceptive services.” Expanded, free access to long-term contraception is also a progressive step towards the global goal of Universal Health Coverage by 2030 – a framework that allows all individuals and communities to receive the health services and care they need without suffering financial hardship. Reaching women through community-based services Still, nearly half (3.7 million) of an estimated 7.7 million women of reproductive age in Ghana do not have health insurance and family planning services may continue to be unaffordable for many. Inequitable distribution of health care facilities across the country means that many women in rural communities do not have access to lifesaving family planning and other sexual and reproductive health care services. Reaching these women through community-based services, and encouraging them to sign up to the newly expanded health insurance program will be crucial in ensuring the government reaches its goal of zero tolerance for maternal deaths and disabilities by 2030. To support these efforts, PPAG deploys trained community volunteers to provide information, education and selected family planning services in their local communities. Emmanuel Akoto, the director of Programmes and Service Delivery at PPAG, said these volunteers play an important role in delivering contraceptives to the ‘doorsteps’ of those in need. “They serve as a link between their community and health facilities within their localities, complementing the efforts of health care providers by creating demand and making referrals for sexual and reproductive health services,” he said. “This concept is very important because it is community-owned, devoid of stigmatization, cost effective and sustainable.” As an established leader in Sub-Saharan Africa in providing health benefits packages paid for by the government, Ghana may serve as an example to other countries looking to expand universal health coverage by providing reliable family planning services for millions of women around the world. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.
Reaching the vulnerable through community-based distributors of contraceptives: experiences from the Democratic Republic of Congo
21-year-old Maguy is a student at the Institute of Medical Techniques in Kinshasa, studying nutrition. Every year, Maguy participates in internship programmes in health centers, where she enhances her practical skills in her field of study. Maguy’s passion for community-based health also sees her participate in sexual reproductive health awareness campaigns as part of the activities of IPPF’s Member Association in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Association pour le Bien-Etre Familial/Naissances Désirables (ABEF/ND). "In one of the health centres, I worked with pregnant women where I would give them advice on healthy diet in pregnancy. While doing so, I noticed that there was an information gap on various issues, such as family planning. Young mothers would ask many questions about the advantages and disadvantages of contraceptives. They would also say how they wanted to space their births, but did not know exactly how to go about it. I decided to fill this information gap by increasing their knowledge on family planning issues, with the support of ABEF/ND,” she says. ABEF/ND’s activities are part of the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme which, under the strategy of ‘Leave No One Behind’, provides integrated and inclusive quality family planning and sexual and reproductive health services to marginalized and hard-to-reach populations, the poor, young people under 20 and people with disabilities. Also read: Disability and Access to Sexual Reproductive Health Services in Mozambique Since she started her community-based distribution work two years ago, Maguy has noted some successes in people’s behaviour, such as the increase in the number of people asking for condoms. “Both young and old are asking for condoms unlike before. They say they want to protect themselves and those they care for. I have also noted that many girls and young women are concerned about their future and have a great desire to protect themselves from negative sexual outcomes. This is encouraging, as it means that the information we have been passing on to them has been of help,” she says. Maguy notes that the WISH project, which has helped increase people's knowledge on contraceptives and their use, has been well received by community members. Today, community health volunteers such as herself are easily recognized. “At the beginning, people did not trust us. However, they have since understood and realized the benefit of our work and nowadays, whenever they meet us in the community or on our way home, they call out to us. We ended up making friends with them.” Also read: Stories of Change: Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme (WISH) For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.
Nyanwiir Ajou: from a satisfied family planning client to a family planning advocate
Nyanwiir Ajou is a 28-year-old mother of four. She was married at the age of 13 years. After her husband got involved in a car accident that left him physically disabled, Nyanwiir became the sole bread winner of her family. She does not have a stable source of income. Nyanwiir volunteers her time and services as a counsellor at the Comprehensive Care Centre Clinic (CCC) unit in Aweil State hospital in South Sudan. Nyanwiir visited the WISH Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) clinic at Aweil State hospital clinic for family planning services after a referral from her friend who was a family planning user. Nyanwiir sought advice from the friend as she was not ready for another child. The friend recommended that she visits the ASRH/FP clinic at Aweil State hospital, which offers free services. At the clinic, Nyanwiir was counselled on different family planning methods. She voluntarily chose the Intrauterine Device (IUD) method. The nurses explained to Nyanwiir that the method she had chosen was a 10-year one, though she could have it removed at any time she felt prepared to have another child. “I need my body to rest, I got married early and gave birth to my children. I need more time to search for a better job. If I am financially stable even if it is in five years, I will come back and have the method removed then get another baby. But before then I will keep the method," said Nyanwiir. Referrals Nyanwiir has become an advocate of family planning services. She has been referring clients from the CCC unit to the ASRH/FP clinic where they can get free services. She recently referred one mother of 10 children, who is also breastfeeding. The mother could barely fend for her family and send her children to school due to the poor economic status of the family. Even though she was fearful about getting pregnant again, she did not know how to prevent that from happening. After a chat with Nyanwiir, she went to the ASRH/FP clinic where she was counselled and opted for Jadelle as her method of choice. Comprehensive counselling from service providers in Aweil ASRH/FP unit has effectively encouraged clients to make informed choices on long term reversible contraceptive methods, mostly implants and the IUD. Partnerships The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme, under the strategy of ‘Leave No One Behind’, offers quality integrated and inclusive family planning and sexual and reproductive health services - to marginalized and hard to reach populations: the poor, youth under 20 and people living with a disability. WISH brings together service delivery with experts in the field of health systems strengthening and advocacy, social behaviour change communications, disability inclusion and humanitarian expertise. One such partner is the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which works in partnership with the government in Aweil State hospital to offer services in the ASRH/FP unit. IRC provides staff, medical supplies and commodities that support family planning services at the clinic. In addition, staff from the hospital are invited for trainings organized by the WISH programme. The IRC strategically leveraged on the existing ASRH clinic supported by UNFPA by placing the WISH team to work together and provide family planning services while also targeting the youth. There has been a notable increase in family planning services uptake in Aweil State hospital. During the reporting period, 486 Couple Years Protection (CYPs) were provided at the clinic, an increase from 362 CYPs provided in the previous quarter. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) who are an implementing partner within the hospital, also refer clients for post abortion care, thus improving the comprehensive services offered within the facility. The staff have reported teamwork and that the bulk of the work has been shared with the staff working at the ASRH/FP clinic, hence reducing workload. By complementing different actions from different agencies and donors, the overall outcome of health services is improved within the hospital. There is improved coordination within the hospital staff in patient care management which eventually has improved on the quality of care for family planning and other health services. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.