The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is pleased to share that last month it was awarded the USAID-funded, five-year, $45 million Expand Family Planning and Sexual and Reproductive Health (ExpandPF) Activity following a competitive process. ExpandPF will scale up evidence-based family planning practices, including postpartum family planning and engaging community health workers, to improve access to and use of voluntary family planning services in poor and underserved urban and peri-urban populations. ExpandPF envisions a local-partner forward strategy and close engagement with young people for implementation in Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritania, and Togo. IPPF brings strong experience improving access to client-centered, quality family planning and sexual and reproductive health care services as allowed under USAID regulations and local law. Its structure is designed to advance locally led development, engaging women and youth while reaching underserved and marginalized communities. Hortense Angoran Benie, MD, MPH will lead ExpandPF and has significant management experience with complex public health programs across West and Central Africa. IPPF’s partners include Options Consultancy Services, Etrilabs, and IPPF member associations in each of the four implementing countries: Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien-Être Familial (AIBEF), Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Être Familial (ATBEF), Association Mauritanienne pour la Promotion de la Famille (AMPF), and Cameroon National Association for Family Welfare (CAMNAFAW). The team also includes Viamo as sub-contractor. Through ExpandPF, the consortium will ultimately assist individuals to make voluntary, informed decisions about family planning with access to contraceptive methods and services. “IPPF is very proud to receive the ExpandPF award,” said Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF Director General. “It affirms our commitment to West and Central Africa and expanding contraceptive choice to underserved and marginalized populations. IPPF believes that by working with our esteemed partners, we can advance meaningful progress across the region.” "ExpandPF aligns well with IPPF's strategy of prioritizing access to family planning and sexual and reproductive health services for vulnerable women and girls in West and Central Africa,” said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. USAID administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide. The Agency is committed to helping countries meet the family planning and reproductive health needs of their people through voluntarism and informed choice.

On 20 October, the IPPF Arab Regional Office (AWRO, in Tunisia) organised an event (supported by the Embassy of Japan in Tunisia) to discuss the achievements and learnings from humanitarian projects in five countries in the region (Yemen, Pakistan, Palestine, Mauritania and Lebanon) that were supported by the Japanese Government.  The event and subsequent reception (hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Tunisia), attended by Tunisian Minister of Health and government officials, the Japanese and other Ambassadors to Tunisia, representatives of international organisations, the Resident Representative of the JICA Tunisia office, representatives of IPPF Arab region and its Member Associations in the region, provided an excellent opportunity to present an overview of the results of these activities, a publication outlining lessons learned and good practices that can be used as a reference to further enhance the impact of the activities and a short film from the project activities.  H.E. Mr OSUGA Takeshi, who is the Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Tunisia, said: "Today's meeting seems to be the IPPF's perfect response to what UN Member States called for in this UN General Assembly resolution 76/304. And I welcome the analysis of the projects presented in the IPPF booklet prepared for this meeting. The booklet is based on UNDP's latest research on the concept of human security." H.E. Mr Ali Mrabet who is Tunisian Health Minister said: "Valued the Tunisian experience in leadership at the level of sexual and reproductive health sectors for many decades, and our country's national strategy for reproductive health and the exchange of experiences with Arab and African countries, in the framework of bilateral and tripartite cooperation and the success of the Family Planning and Reproductive Health Program and in the framework of the support of the International Planned Parenthood Federation for the Arab region in implementing reproductive health projects and programs and population issues, expressing its gratitude to the Government of Japan for its generous support and counter efforts to improve the health situation in the countries of the region." H.E. Mr Hayel al Fahoum, who is the Palestinian Ambassador to Tunisia, said:  “Valued the Tunisian experience in leadership at the level of sexual and reproductive health sectors for many decades, and our country's national strategy for reproductive health and the exchange of experiences with Arab and African countries, in the framework of bilateral and tripartite cooperation and the success of the Family Planning and Reproductive Health Program and in the framework of the support of the International Federation for Family Planning for the region Arabia in implementing reproductive health projects and programs and population issues, expressing its gratitude to the Government of Japan for its generous support and counter efforts to improve the health situation in the countries of the region.”  Mr Sami Natsheh, President of PFPPA President said:  “We thank the Japanese government and all participating entities for their significant support and ongoing collaboration. We hope this strong partnership continues to bring positive developments for the Palestinian people and helps us achieve our shared goals of improving human and health security in Palestine.”  Dr Fadoua Bakhadda, who is the Arab World Regional Director, said:  "It is indeed my great pleasure with kind support from H.E. Ambassador OSUGA, who is the real human security champion and a long-standing IPPF’s friend, and the Embassy of Japan in Tunisia, to host this important event at this critical time when the world should intensify our efforts to realize human security for all more than ever. Our new publication about the projects supported by the Government of Japan in Arabic, English, French and Japanese, which provides invaluable lessons for all development partners and practitioners in the region and all over the world. I really hope this event will play a catalytic role to enhance our solidarity among all participants who are here with us today.”  For further information, please contact Mustapha Kemayel (English, and Arabic, [email protected]) and Yuri Taniguchi (Japanese, [email protected]). 

The International Planned Parenthood Federation congratulates the African Women Prevention Community Accountability Board for launching the HIV Prevention Choice Manifesto.  IPPF is in full support of the Choice Manifesto, which prioritizes the principle of choice to ensure that women and girls have the right to choose which HIV prevention methods work for them.The Choice Manifesto was driven by the African Women Prevention Community Accountability Board, which is made up of diverse voices of African women and girls, feminists and HIV prevention advocates across Southern and Eastern Africa.   Choice matters. As outlined in the Choice Manifesto, for the first time in the history of the HIV epidemic, it is possible to build a prevention programme centered around choice - including oral PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), the Dapivirine vaginal ring, injectable Cabotegravir, and condoms, with straightforward language about risks and benefits, and supportive counseling in selecting options that meet an individual’s needs. In order for women and girls to truly have choice about what works for them as they navigate different stages and circumstances of their lives, policy makers, donors, governments and implementers must ensure the mix of HIV prevention methods are available, accessible, and affordable.   African women and girls need to be at the center and forefront of research and decisions about access to products that are safe and effective. Research for new products needs to prioritise additional systemic and non-systemic options, including Multi-Purpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) that will protect against unintended pregnancy, STIs and HIV.  IPPF is committed to providing the fullest possible range of integrated, affordable, and quality sexual and reproductive health care. Our new five-year strategy, Come Together, focuses on expanding choice. In support of this, we recently launched a special programme to expand our HIV prevention options, which aims to integrate the newest HIV prevention methods – the vaginal ring and injectable PrEP - into our comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services.   Together with other global stakeholders, IPPF will work to ensure that choice in HIV prevention is a reality for women and girls as we work towards a future free of HIV in Africa and beyond. Read more about the launch on the UNAIDS website. Banner image by Tanya Korniichuk for Fine Acts x The Greats

IPPF Director General Alvaro Bermejo, former Executive Director of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, reflects on the life of the pioneering, inspiring doctor, HIV activist and devoted Trustee of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, whose passion and work shaped what is now Frontline AIDS  The most extraordinary Jens van Roey will no longer be seen cycling through life. His legacy will continue and expand in so many of us who got to experience his determination to live and to make a contribution.  A medical doctor, devoted to his work in Africa, it was a phone call from his own Belgian doctor in autumn of 1988 that changed his life: he was HIV+. Not a death sentence but a call to live fully. Jens dedicated his life to breaking the silence, informing communities and researching a treatment through Tibotec -a start-up pharma that he had helped to create.  I first met him in 2003 when I was interviewing for the International HIV/AIDS Alliance job and from that day on I was proud to have found a mentor and friend. Jens walked a powerful line as an activist researcher and a person living with HIV. With UNAIDS he led the process that agreed the GIPA Principles – the Greater Involvement of people with AIDS. He was always the most community oriented member of the Board… and then he would remind you that he was actually the private sector guy working for pharma. He had been part of building it from the start and never missed a meeting; he never let the incredibly aggressive treatments that were being tested on his own body stop him from travelling and contributing. His passion, his caring, was much stronger than any of that.  He got to celebrate his 60th birthday and decided to retire while staying actively engaged with two of his babies: the Alliance and the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM). By then IPM was working on the dapivirine ring – the female-controlled product that he had devoted his work to developing.   His other great passion was cycling the world with his wife Bieke. Together they raised money for small HIV organisations and for the projects they continued supporting in Congo.   A decade – and a few cancers - later, he celebrated his 70th birthday. Sadly it would be his last. I had the privilege of catching up with him a few weeks later. He showed me the beautiful city of Mechelen, in Belgium, and passionately explained how good, progressive leadership can have a real impact on people’s lives, and we talked about his son and daughter, and how proud he was of their work and of his grand children but more than anything, we talked about the potential of a female controlled technology, one that can prevent HIV infection and unwanted pregnancies reaching the market  He was not ready to go. But that is because he never will leave us. Our hearts and minds are with his wife Bieke, son, daughter, his grandchildren and all who loved him and were inspired by him.  Banner image of Dr. van Roey in the Democratic Republic of the Congo originally appears in this piece by Johnson & Johnson.

On 16 August 2023, Japanese House of Representatives member Dr Toshiko Abe visited head office and the Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services Centre of IPPF’s Member Association in Mozambique, the Associação Moçambicana para Desenvolvimento da Família (AMODEFA). Dr Abe visited one of AMODEFA’s eight youth centres in a particularly marginalised and high poverty density area, where youth friendly health services is difficult to reach for the local youth who need them most. Their youth centre functions as the hub of youth target activities such as provision of a range of services from HIV testing and treatment to SRHR counselling and other information and services around sexual health and rights. In 2022 23.57 % of AMODEFA’s family planning services were provided to clients under 20 years. AMODEFA was established in 1989 and has been IPPF’s Full Member Association since 2010. It is an independent, non-profit, and non-governmental association working in 10 provinces in Mozambique. As the leading service provider in Mozambique, AMODEFA provides comprehensive and diverse sexual and reproductive health, including that related to SGBV. Their focus is on vulnerable people such as women, girls, people with disabilities.

Australia’s new International Development Policy was launched this week with a focus on building a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. Announced as the first long term development strategy in almost a decade, it was welcomed by those in the development sector. In contrast to the former government, Australia’s Foreign Minister has committed to rebuilding their ODA budget. While this is likely to be a slow build, with no ODA/GNI targets set, the new policy sets out a clear pathway.   IPPF welcomes the policy’s approach to localisation, the strong focus on climate resilience and humanitarian action, the commitment to gender equality and LBGTQI+ rights and the ongoing support for sexual and reproductive health and rights.   The new policy has a strong focus on Australia’s role as a development partner in the region. While the geographic focus remains unchanged, the approach is quite different. At the launch, Minister Wong highlighted the importance of sovereignty, where ‘each country can determine its own fate’.  In practice for DFAT, this will mean greater accountability at post, more collaborative development of country Development Partnership Plans, more frequent progress reviews and a greater emphasis on implementing learning from evaluation. It also translates to greater investment in local solutions, including funding to support partner governments, local procurement, and civil society. The announcement of a new Civil Society Partnership Fund was well received, although details are lacking.   The other underlying theme which differs dramatically from previous aid policies is climate change, recognised by the Minister as the greatest shared challenge for the region. DFAT plans to increase climate investments and better address climate risk with a target that half of bilateral and regional investments must have a climate objective by 2024-25, increasing to 80% by 2028-29. The policy also references a new humanitarian strategy, which will complement the aid policy and is due to begin consultation in September.   Inclusion is a high priority within the policy. Minister Wong highlighted the importance of a region where ‘all can thrive and reach their potential’. Three focus areas for inclusion are Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion and LGBTQI+ rights, with supporting strategies in development, due for completion by the May budget 2024. The government is reinstating the target for 80% of development investments to address gender equality and a new requirement for investment over $3m to include gender equality objectives.  While health is not a focus area within the policy, it was mentioned as part of infrastructure programming. The policy notes the vulnerability of many health systems in the region and Australia’s continued role to strengthen capacity and support prevention and response for both infectious and non- communicable diseases. There is also a commitment to expand universal health coverage and a specific mention of support for sexual and reproductive health and rights.   Resourcing for international development is explored in detail. Responding to the findings of the Development Finance Review and recognising the limitations of ODA funding, the policy proposes an increase in blended finance, and an investment of up to A$250m to leverage private investment.  This will be supported by a new unit in DFAT to work with philanthropy and impact investment. The policy also highlights changes to reporting and accountability within DFAT, greater transparency of results, and increased investment in DFAT development capability (36.8m announced in the May budget).   Since the integration of AusAID into DFAT in 2013, international development has been a low priority in Australia, undervalued and diminished through multiple budget cuts. The Albanese government has promised something different. While the lack of an ODA funding target is disappointing, this policy is a step in the right direction.  The recognition of shared challenges and shift towards genuine engagement highlight an understanding of the value of development work, not just for beneficiaries but for the region as a whole. Together with DFAT’s investment in development capability and shift to a whole of government approach and Minister Wong’s outspoken commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development there are strong indications that Australia is taking development seriously.   As recipients and partners of the Australian International Development program, IPPF look forward to supporting the roll out of the new Australian International Development Policy, consulting on the strategies and participating in the design of new programs. We hope to see the collaboration continue and the funding match the ambition.   IPPF works closely with the Australian government and is funded through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to integrate sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) into humanitarian preparedness response and recovery through SPRINT; to restore services, particularly to marginalized populations impacted by COVID-19 through RESPOND and to support the ambitious Pacific Niu Vaka Strategy Phase 2, enabling quality SRHR to be realised for everyone in the Pacific.  To read the full policy, click here.  Cover illustration by Edinah Chewe for The Greats.