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16th April 2026 - A new project ensuring access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for women and adolescents has been launched in Ukraine. Funded by the Government of Japan, and implemented by IPPF Member Association, Women Health and Family Planning (WHFP), the project will support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in the Mykolaiv region of the country.  Ongoing conflict in Ukraine means nearly 13 million people now have acute humanitarian needs, and 3.8 million are internally displaced. Escalations in April 2025 resulted in a new wave of IDPs from frontline districts to regions such as Mykolaiv, creating additional pressures on an already stretched healthcare system. 68 healthcare facilities in the region have been damaged since February 2022, and there has been a significant reduction in medical personnel.  More than half of IDPs live in rural areas, where their only option is to seek medical care in community healthcare facilitiesThis project aims to strengthen the sexual and reproductive health services provided by these primary healthcare facilities, ensuring women and adolescents, and particularly IDPs, can access quality care. The work will also raise awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights among women and young people in the region and provide information on how to access services. Key activities and expected outcomes include:Supporting three primary healthcare facilities in the Mykolaiv region to provide quality sexual and reproductive health services, such as gynecological examinations, non-urgent pregnancy care, HIV prevention, contraception, sexual and reproductive health counselling and referrals.  Equipping these healthcare facilities with essential tools and medication, such as dopplers for fetal heart monitoring, contraceptives, pharmaceutical refrigerators, and gynecological examination sets.  Training 30 primary healthcare level specialists, such as family doctors and midwives, in sexual and reproductive health services such as family planning, HIV prevention, patient examinations, and caring for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.  Using social media channels, public platforms and regional media to reach at least 10,000 women and adolescents with information on sexual and reproductive health, and how to access support.  Dr. Galyna Maystruk, Executive Director of Woman Health and Family Planning said: “We see how the destruction of medical infrastructure and the shortage of personnel are severely limiting access to essential services that are vital for women. This initiative is a significant contribution to restoring and strengthening sexual and reproductive health security in one of the most important regions of Ukraine in all respects. We are focusing our efforts on the Mykolaiv region, since the needs are particularly acute. Our long-term humanitarian experience shows that special attention to the essential needs of the population makes these people safer - especially vulnerable groups. Thanks to the targeted and practical support of Japan, together with our partners, we are building a sustainable system that supports the different needs of the population.”  Valerie Dourdin, IPPF Global Humanitarian Director, added “In crisis situations, ensuring access to safe care is not optional - it is life saving. Thanks to the support of the Government of Japan, this project strengthens healthcare facilities so that people displaced by conflict can access safe, quality sexual and reproductive health services.”   --About WHFPFor 20 years WHFP has been consistently and actively working in the field of reproductive health, strengthening and protecting the reproductive rights of people in Ukraine.Its main spheres of activity include: independent expertise and strategic development relating to national legislation and development of the legal framework in the field of reproductive health and family planning; education programs on sexuality education and healthy lifestyles; training for medical professionals; public awareness campaigns on cancer prevention among women; and rehabilitation programs for breast cancer survivors.About IPPF EN regionIPPF European Network is one of the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s six regional networks. IPPF EN works in over 40 countries across Europe and Central Asia to empower everyone, especially the most socially excluded, to live with dignity and to have access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.  

IPPF condemns the multiple school arsons across the French-speaking Wallonia region in Belgium over the past week, which have been connected to public protests against the compulsory “education in relationships, affective and sexual life” (EVRAS) program. These targeted attacks are evidence of a growing movement opposed to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curricula, and the duty of states to support and protect children in their sexual development. IPPF is deeply concerned that a small cadre of those with extremist views are targeting schools with violence, which serve as vital safe spaces for children and young people to become educated, empowered citizens.  In the face of global misinformation campaigns and attempts to silence the organizations and institutions providing high quality comprehensive sexuality education, IPPF affirms that these programs empower children and young people to protect their health and well-being and support them in developing healthy and positive relationships throughout their lives.  Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF Director General said:  “The violent attacks on schools in Belgium are proof of how anti-rights campaigners are multiplying around the world and fuelling divisions by spreading false or misleading information about existing education curricula. We know from decades of research and our own programmatic experience in this area that comprehensive sexuality education helps children and young people to understand and enjoy their sexuality, take responsibility for their own sexual and reproductive health and rights and respect other people’s. We stand with the educators in Belgium who are delivering on a sex education curriculum that promotes children and young people’s rights.”  Research shows that parents and young people agree that sexuality education should be offered in schools, and that parents are willing to join these programs, particularly as they help their children to navigate relationships and sexuality amid the complex challenges of the digital era. Many governments around the world, including Belgium, are making sexuality education programs a national priority to protect all children and young people from harm.  IPPF stands with the schools and educators delivering this vital education in Belgium and around the world, and we remain committed to providing children and young people with the knowledge to protect and promote their safety, health and wellbeing.  For media inquiries, contact media@ippf.org   Banner image: Shutterstock

The unmet need for contraceptives is estimated to have soared to nearly 50% in some parts of Turkiye, including Hatay province, following the earthquakes on 6 February 2023. This is a worrying trend, as the unmet need had already been on the rise from 6% in 2013 to 12% in 2018 in Turkiye.  The Association of Public Health Specialists (HASUDER), IPPF’s local partner in Türkiye, is the only provider of contraception in some camps for internally-displaced persons (IDPs) following the devastating 7.8 and 7.6 earthquakes that killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and displaced millions. Professor Bülent Kılıç, head of HASUDER, said that while government services are mandated to deliver contraceptive supplies to health clinics inside IDP camps, services have generally focused on pregnancy and birth services. He said: ”Physicians who provide contraceptive methods, including inserting intrauterine devices (IUDs) are rare or fully absent. There is no awareness about this service gap.” Kılıç also describes serious hygiene problems for women in the camps, where basic needs such as clean toilets and bathrooms are not being met. Kılıç continued: “We have seen that contraceptive services are only provided in gynaecology clinics in hospitals, and even then it is offered very little and only if requested. This issue is related to the government's perspective on women and women's rights.” HASUDER’s reproductive health unit, which was established with support from IPPF and Hatay Municipality in Lions and Mersin Municipality Tent City in Hatay, has been providing sexual and reproductive health services to 3,000 people since March 2023. These services include maternal and neonatal care, contraceptive care, safe abortion care, and counselling for sexual and gender-based violence. HASUDER is providing contraceptive methods including intrauterine devices, oral contraceptives and condoms, but reports that underwear, sanitary pads, birth control pills, emergency contraception pills and condoms are still among the most needed items for women. HASUDER has also reported a rise in unplanned pregnancies due to the dearth of contraceptives available. Violence against women and girls - already a serious issue in Turkey - is exacerbated in every humanitarian emergency, and persists in the IDP camps. IPPF estimates that 3.9 million women of reproductive age, over 175,000 pregnant women, and more than 1.2 million adolescent girls (aged 10-19) were affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye. We anticipate more than 8,700 currently pregnant women will experience delivery complications. For media enquiries, please contact media@ippf.org or Nerida Williams, Senior Humanitarian Communications Advisor, newilliams@ippf.org  About the International Planned Parenthood Federation The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.  For 70 years, IPPF, through its 118 Member Associations and seven partners, has delivered high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare and helped advance sexual rights, especially for people with intersectional and diverse needs that are currently unmet. Our Member Associations and partners are independent organisations that are locally owned, which means the support and care they provide is informed by local expertise and context. We advocate for a world where people have the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity - no matter what.  

Today, on International Women’s Day, France has made it clear to the world that they stand shoulder to shoulder with women and girls in support of their non-negotiable freedoms by committing to enshrining abortion as a fundamental human right within the French constitution. We applaud President Macron for this decision.  We want to thank our Member Association, Mouvement Français pour le Planning Familial and the feminist movement for never giving up the fight for women and people who want to end their pregnancy on their own terms with dignity, care and respect.  This momentous decision comes at a time when safe abortion care is under attack at an unprecedented level in the global north. We hope this decision inspires other nations to do more to protect the privacy, dignity and human rights of women and girls from political extremists who seek to force women and girls into giving birth.  We need more courage and action from the national leaders to protect and support women and girls. If you are a politician who believes in human rights; act now without fear. If you are someone who can vote or organize; demand more of your government, take to the streets, let them hear your voice, take your pen to the ballot if they do not listen.  IPPF will continue to work with activists, feminist movements, politicians and communities to protect and advance abortion care without apology and without fear. Today and every day we stand with women and girls, everywhere.