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London, 26 February 2025 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation condemns the decision of the UK Government to decrease ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI, to increase defence spending from 2.3 to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. This marks the second major cut since 2021, when the UK slashed ODA from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI—a devastating rollback of its global commitments.  This is not just a policy shift—it is a direct assault on human rights, healthcare, and the lives of the world’s most marginalised communities, steeped in the same colonial logic that has long prioritised military power over the lives and dignity of people in the Global South.  Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General of IPPF said:  “The UK Government’s decision to cut life-saving aid is failing the world’s most systematically and historically marginalised communities - racialized people, women and girls, LGBTQI+ communities, refugees, and those in humanitarian crises. Let’s be clear: this will cost lives. IPPF has long been a development partner of FCDO; by betraying partner countries in the Global South, this is a missed opportunity to work together to fix systemic injustices and build lasting and trusting relationships rooted in solidarity with historically dispossessed nations and communities.”  The UK’s decision does not exist in isolation. It is part of a broader, deeply racialised system where Western powers extract, exploit, and then turn their backs on the very communities they have impoverished and destabilised. The UK is funneling money into military expansion, reinforcing the same cycles of war, displacement, and suffering that fuel global inequities.  Since January 2025, the aid and development sectors have been facing unprecedented and multiple budget cuts and freezes driven by the new Trump administration. Across the world, we have witnessed a systematic defunding of women's rights, sexual rights, and vulnerable people living in conflict zones and humanitarian crises.   The same communities are being targeted again and again: women, girls, LGBTQI+ people, migrants, and refugees—the very people most in need of support and people who are already fighting to survive in a world shaped by centuries of colonialism and racial injustice.    We call on the UK Government to reverse this decision and restore the UK aid budget to 0.7 of GNI as pledged in its election manifesto. Lives are at stake, and now more than ever, we must stand for global solidarity, not turn our backs on those who need us most.   For more information, please contact media@ippf.org - +44 7918 845944  About the International Planned Parenthood Federation   IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952 at the Third International Planned Parenthood Conference. Today, we are a movement of 158 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 153 countries.   Our work is wide-ranging, including comprehensive sex education, provision of contraceptive, safe abortion, and maternal care and responding to humanitarian crises. We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and crucially no matter how remote. 

Haz click aquí para leer este posicionamiento en español. WASHINGTON D.C., United States, 3 February 2025 – The Trump administration is using foreign aid as a deadly political weapon, ILGA World and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) said today, and millions of people are already in dire straits because of its policies. The executive order implementing a 90-day pause in US foreign development aid is wreaking havoc on the lifesaving work of human rights, civil society, and grassroots organisations —according to ILGA World and IPPF. Sexual and reproductive health services suddenly were forced to suddenly stop or drastically cut operations, including those further impacted by the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule, leaving millions of people without access to lifesaving care. The funding suspension initially impacted also the over 20 million people living with HIV directly supported through the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Later, however, a life-saving humanitarian assistance waiver” walked back the decision, yet excludes activities related to abortion or family planning, gender or DEI programs, gender-affirming  surgeries, and other activities deemed to be “non-life saving assistance.” IPPF anticipates it will lose US$61 million from cuts due to refusing to sign the Global Gag Rule. Programs affected - mainly in Africa - provide sexual and reproductive health services for millions of women and youth, many of whom will be forced to continue with a pregnancy they did not want or have an unsafe abortion they may not survive. United Nations agencies have begun cutting back their global aid operations as a direct consequence of the 90-day foreign aid suspension. Without guaranteed funding, implementing organisations will have no choice but to lay off thousands of health workers and programme staff. Even if funds are reinstated after the “assessment of consistency with US foreign policy”, the bottoming out of the health sector means there are no guarantees that  organisations will be able to continue serving our communities. “The US, currently the largest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA), is choosing to leave behind the already most marginalised people across the world, in the name of far-right regressive policies,” said ILGA World and IPPF.  “This is a war on development. People will die because the Trump administration is using life-saving funding as a leverage to advance a hateful  dystopia.  American aid with further conditionality will be unable to reach the most vulnerable populations, undoing decades of progress on health, security and human rights.” “This devastating blow to foreign aid risks worsening humanitarian crises, violence, conflict, and political instability,” ILGA World and IPPF conclude. “This is the opposite of building ‘harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries’ that the Trump administration claims to seek.” “Now more than ever, we are in solidarity with our global movements. We will continue to fight alongside them. We will not be fearful or silenced; but instead use this moment to galvanise our communities. But we need to be prepared: vital resources and life-saving programmes may not come back — at least not without severe limitations and exclusionary conditions.”  “We call on more States to step in with development aid, listen to the needs and priorities of grassroots communities, and provide them with a lifeline.” Note to editors ILGA World is a worldwide federation of more than 2,000 organisations from over 170 countries and territories campaigning for the human rights of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Founded in 1952, it is now a movement of 150 member associations and collaborative partners with a presence in over 146 countries.  For ILGA World: Daniele Paletta (communications manager); media@ilga.org; time zone: UTC+1 For IPPF: Nerida Williams (senior media advisor); newilliams@ippf.org; time zone: UTC+7 Alice Ackermann (communications advisor); AAckermann@ippf.org; time zone: UTC+1

January 21, 2025—The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) strongly condemns the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw financial support from the World Health Organization (WHO). This executive order will have devastating consequences for Americans, global health and the communities we serve. This decision, which gives a one-year notice before taking effect, will severely undermine the WHO’s capacity to carry out its critical mission and will cost lives.  As the largest single contributor to the WHO, the United States provides approximately 18% of the organization’s funding, with the current two-year budget for 2024-2025 set at $6.8 billion. The withdrawal of U.S. funding will create an unprecedented financial shortfall, threatening essential health programs, partnerships and global public health.  Since its establishment in 1948 as part of the United Nations, the WHO has been at the forefront of global health initiatives. From combatting malaria and tuberculosis to improving women’s and children’s health, nutrition, and sanitation, the WHO’s role in coordinating international health policy, prevention and disease eradication is indispensable. Today, it serves as a vital hub for research, technical support, and health trend monitoring, addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.  The global maternal mortality ratio has stagnated since 2016 at around 223 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. Only one WHO region (the South-East Asia Region) has recorded a significant decline in maternal mortality, while all other regions have recorded either a stagnation or an increase. "Defunding the WHO is a direct attack on the health and well-being of millions, especially the most vulnerable,” said Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF’s Director-General. “Donald Trump’s decision to strip the WHO of its funding, before the expansion of the Global Gag Rule, adds further insult to injury. The health community has collectively endured unprecedented attacks against health care workers, patients and clinics, made possible with the previous US administration. Peace is the best medicine; we urge the Trump Administration to reconsider its position. The world needs a thriving WHO. Women, girls and LGBTQ+ people all over the world need a thriving IPPF. IPPF stands in solidarity with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and with the WHO. We will continue to resist, and we will continue to fight for peace, and for sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice for ALL.”  IPPF calls on the international community to stand in solidarity with the WHO and to work together to mitigate the catastrophic impact of this funding withdrawal. The lives and health of countless individuals are at stake, and we must act urgently to ensure that global health systems remain strong and resilient.  For more information please contact media@ippf.org - +44 7918 845944 About the International Planned Parenthood Federation  IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952 at the Third International Planned Parenthood Conference. Today, we are a movement of 158 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 153 countries.  Our work is wide-ranging, including comprehensive sex education, provision of contraceptive, safe abortion, and maternal care and responding to humanitarian crises. We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and crucially no matter how remote. 

IPPF remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting its Member Association, the Syrian Family Planning Association (SFPA), in providing essential SRHR services for all. Within the uncertainty and instability, we continue to work together with SFPA to empower communities, protect the rights of women and adolescents, and address the urgent needs of marginalized populations, particularly in the face of increased vulnerability. Our collective mission stands firm: we are committed to ensuring that dignity, health, and choice are accessible to all, regardless of political or social challenges. Even in these uncertain times, we believe that SRHR services must continue - because the need for family planning, maternal healthcare, and gender-based violence (GBV) support does not diminish, even in the midst of conflict. Syria is enduring a difficult period of transition, but sexual and reproductive health cannot be sidelined. The health and well-being of Syria’s most vulnerable populations, especially women and youth, remain a top priority. The work of SFPA is more essential than ever, as it continues to provide vital services such as family planning, postnatal care, and GBV screening. At Al-Hasakah, SFPA is on the frontlines, directly supporting over 5,000 people, the majority of whom are women in urgent need of reproductive healthcare services. These women face an increased risk of complications due to the lack of access to safe and comprehensive health services, but SFPA is committed to meeting their needs. From providing postnatal care to offering family planning options and GBV screenings, SFPA is ensuring that women in these vulnerable circumstances are not forgotten. SFPA’s clinics, such as the one in southern Daraa and the besieged Al-Waer in Homs, have become lifelines, serving as a beacon of hope for those in need. They provide up to 70 beneficiaries a day with crucial services, including health counselling and early marriage awareness. SFPA has faced significant challenges, including the seizing of vehicles and temporary clinic closures in the suburbs of Homs. Yet SFPA's perseverance in delivering SRHR services remains an essential lifeline for the people of Syria. We will continue to stand alongside SFPA in their tireless efforts to safeguard sexual and reproductive health rights, ensuring that every woman, adolescent, and marginalized person has access to the care they deserve. Together, we stand for dignity, health, and choice, even in the face of uncertainty. The challenges are great, but the importance of maintaining SRHR services is immeasurable. Through unwavering dedication, we can support those in need and contribute to a future where everyone has access to the care and rights they deserve.   Contact: +44 7918 845944 Image credit: SFPA/Wasim Kashlan

On the morning of the 6th of December 2024, all six clinics in the suburbs of Homs operated by the Syrian Family Planning Association (SFPA), a member association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), were forced to close due to escalating violence and theft. Armed opposition forces seized an ambulance and two vehicles used as mobile clinics, targeting them for their gasoline, which is becoming increasingly scarce in the region. For many pregnant women, these clinics were their only source of prenatal and delivery care, and their closure now places them in severe and life-threatening danger. These clinics, some of the last remaining in the region after years of instability, served Syria’s most vulnerable communities, where maternal health resources are critically limited. Their closure jeopardises the survival of thousands of mothers and their babies, cutting off access to vital prenatal care, safe deliveries, and postnatal support. "The closure of these clinics is catastrophic. For many women, these were the only facilities where they could receive the care they needed during pregnancy and childbirth. Without them, we are looking at a surge in preventable maternal and newborn deaths. It will be a disaster," said Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director of the Arab World Region for IPPF. The SFPA team acted quickly to evacuate all patients and staff to shelters. "Everyone is really afraid. They’re in panic. Our immediate priority was ensuring the safety of staff and clients. We are relieved that everyone has been evacuated safely and accounted for, but the challenges ahead remain immense," said Bakhadda. "Evacuated patients and staff are now in overcrowded shelters, where tensions are high, and the risk of gender-based violence is growing." However, staff wellbeing remains a pressing concern beyond the clinics. Three SFPA staff members attending humanitarian training in Tunis are now stranded and unable to return home. Flights into Syria are unavailable, and drivers are unwilling to risk entering the country due to the high likelihood of vehicle theft. "Our staff in Tunis are desperate to return to their families. With no flights and drivers unwilling to risk entering Syria, they are stuck in limbo. The lack of safe transportation is putting everyone under immense stress." Said Bakhadda. IPPF is prioritising the safety of its member association staff and clients while working urgently to find alternative ways to deliver essential healthcare services. IPPF is calling on the international community to act immediately to protect healthcare workers and communities and ensure the continuation of lifesaving medical services in Syria. Without urgent intervention, the lives of pregnant women, newborns, and vulnerable families remain at dire risk. -----  For all enquiries and to arrange an interview with spokespeople, please contact, Hanna Adcock from the IPPF Humanitarian Communications team: Email: Hadcock@ippf.org About SFPA Founded in 1974, the Syrian Family Planning Association (SFPA) is a leading organisation dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Syria. With a vision of a society where individuals enjoy SRHR free from discrimination, SFPA operates across 13 governorates, delivering vital services to underserved communities. SFPA’s work focuses on providing integrated SRH services, addressing gender-based violence (GBV), improving maternal and child health, and preventing malnutrition among pregnant women and children under five. During the ongoing crisis, SFPA has expanded its reach through static clinics, mobile health teams, safe spaces for women and girls, and psychosocial support services, ensuring that essential care reaches even the most vulnerable populations. About IPPF IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952 at the Third International Planned Parenthood Conference. Today, we are a movement of 150 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 146 countries. Our work is wide-ranging, including comprehensive sex education, provision of contraceptives, safe abortion, and maternal care and responding to humanitarian crises.  We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and crucially no matter how remote. Our services are available to all, and reach the most marginalised groups in societies, including key and priority populations, youth, and people with disabilities. Most of our MAs have special programs to engage youth (10-24) inside and outside of school settings. Because our clinics offer comprehensive services, attending our clinics is non-stigmatizing and does not label people as having a particular disease or membership to a particular group. This model of services that are integrated and open to all, embedded in indigenous, locally owned organisations, is ideal for ensuring that the most vulnerable and marginalised groups can access the HIV prevention services they need.

Press Release: Unveiling Subversive Power: New Report Sheds Light on Anti-Rights Actors in the Asia-Pacific Region December 5, 2024 - Justice for Prosperity Foundation (JfP) in collaboration with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), has launched a groundbreaking report titled "Unveiling Subversive Power," highlighting the rising threats to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, and LGBTIQ+ rights across the Asia-Pacific region. The report outlines the dangerous tactics employed by authoritarian states and conservative alliances that manipulate cultural narratives to undermine democratic institutions and silence dissent. It provides an in-depth analysis of how anti-rights actors exploit societal divisions and governmental vulnerabilities to reshape norms, gain influence, and push their ideological agendas. In many cases, relationships and activities are intentionally manipulated. Ultra-conservative, traditionalist, religious actors are the ones who mostly drive this manipulation. Key findings included that extremist movements and foreign state influences strategically undermine the democratic principles and human rights frameworks. The influence of religious institutions, coupled with political conservatism, fosters environments where discriminatory legislation flourishes, including laws that explicitly criminalize SRHR and LGBTIQ+ rights. Case studies from countries such as Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia reveal disturbing patterns of exploitation, disinformation, and systemic oppression against marginalised communities. "This report highlights the urgent need to confront anti-rights actors strategically exploiting societal divisions to weaken democratic systems and destabilise institutions. These actions pose cross-sectoral threats, demanding broad solidarity among diverse groups—SRHRJ movements, marginalised communities, climate advocates, and health networks. IPPF is committed to fostering collaboration and building comprehensive alliances to ensure a united response that safeguards  justice, democracy, and our shared future," said Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director, IPPF ESEAOR. Jelle Postma, from JfP, said “We must deploy early detection of anti-rights networks and activities, foreign influences, and legislative proposals, and have a unified response across international and governmental agencies to counteract the destabilising impact of these actors.” The anti-rights movement poses a serious threat to regional and national security in the Asia Pacific, with potential to undermine long-standing democratic principles. Justice for Prosperity and IPPF underscore the urgent need for coordinated action among governments, civil society, and international partners to preserve and protect the hard-won rights of individuals across the region. The full report, "Unveiling Subversive Power: Shedding Light on Anti-Rights Actors in the Asia-Pacific Region," is available for download on the IPPF website or for download on the JfP website.  For media enquiries or further information, please contact us at media@ippf.org or  info@justiceforprosperity.org.