Media center

17 April 2025 - Rutgers, the Netherlands’ leading sexual and reproductive health expert and IPPF’s Member Association, has today secured a landmark legal win against an ultra-conservative group notorious for fuelling online hate and spreading disinformation. This ruling is a crucial step forward in protecting young people’s health, safety and well-being from harmful narratives designed to undermine their rights. Rutgers took legal action against Civitas Christiana, due to the persistent lies and slander that Civitas continued to spread about Rutgers and the Spring Fever Week. This is an annual campaign in the Netherlands, held in Spring, focused on resilience, heathy relationships and sexual health. The court ruled entirely in favour of Rutgers; all statements must be rectified. The statements by Civitas - made through their social media channels, mainstream media and direct outreach efforts - were not only found to be false, but also harmful and unlawful. This important decision affirms support for parents, teachers, and schools, all who are committed to ensuring children to grow up healthy, safe and happy and protected from disinformation and misinformation. Schools participate voluntarily in Spring Fever Week by providing structured, age-appropriate lessons on these topics to their primary school students. Rutgers took these legal steps to support parents, teachers, and schools, and to combat misleading and vexatious misinformation, as our work is unapologetically about child safety and protection. It’s about giving young people agency and keeping them safe from perpetrators. Young people without information and without bodily autonomy are unsafe. This case was about standing with and for the young people, parents, caregivers, educators and communities who are targeted and harmed by these toxic campaigns run by ultra-conservative groups. The court’s ruling sends a clear message: there is no place for hate and misinformation in public discourse, especially when it endangers the lives, safety and health of young people. “This legal case was not about a difference of opinion on education,” says Rutgers deputy director Luc Lauwers, “but about the spreading of fake news that puts children in danger rather than protecting them. Everyone has the right to their own values, beliefs, opinions, religious convictions, and way of life - including in matters of education and parenting. That is a fundamental pillar of our democratic legal system in the Netherlands. However, the freedom of expression and freedom of religion that Civitas Christiana appeals to are not without limits.” Victories like this matter deeply.  At a time when sexuality education is under coordinated attack by alt-right movements globally, this victory speaks volumes about the power of civil society organisations to stand firm, fight back, and defend truth, science and young people’s rights. Anti-rights groups work to erode trust, sow fear and promote regressive narratives that do real harm - particularly to young people.  Staying silent is not an option. Every time we speak up, seek justice and share the truth, we help build a society where young people are safe, informed and healthy. This ruling is a meaningful step, but our shared global responsibility continues.  For media inquiries, please contact: n.hoeve@rutgers.nl or media@ippf.org.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. About RutgersRutgers is the Dutch centre of knowledge and expertise on sexual health, safety and well-being for young people. We work to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all (young) people in the Netherlands and in more than 29 countries around the world. In partnership with other organisations we advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights, promote public support and do (scientific) research.Together with partners, we work within countries and internationally to improve sexual rights, access to sexuality education and information, access to contraception and safe abortion services and to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.

Every day, over 700 women and girls die - one every two minutes, from preventable causes related to childbirth and pregnancy. Despite this stark reality, this week, a small minority of states tried to sabotage UN negotiations to push an anti-rights and anti-health agenda on the world. From April 7th to 11th 2025, the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) took place with  the theme of “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages”. Governments from all over the world came together in a moment of global health crises to address persistent and continued threats that jeopardize the health and wellbeing of all women and girls worldwide.  This UN process is a critical space where governments, UN agencies, civil society and young people come together to discuss priorities and make shared commitments on sexual and reproductive health and rights. For over 30 years, governments have agreed on standards for access to health services for women and girls.  A very small minority of vested interests are determined to use this convening to attack the Sustainable Development Agenda. We refuse to allow the malicious undermining of hard won gains that impact the lives of millions of women and girls around the world.As recently as last year, governments from all regions of the world reached an agreement to reaffirm these shared goals and commitments. This week, in the face of efforts to sabotage the discussions and negotiations, a vast majority of countries have stepped up to hold the line on the right to health, especially of all women and girls. This disruptive behaviour from a very small minority of extremist anti-rights administrations, is not just a threat to the agenda being discussed today, but also for international cooperation on human rights and sustainable development at large. They are preventing the international community from moving forward and making progress for people’s health, rights and well-being.

IPPF welcomes the political declaration adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). As we are marking 30 years after the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, UN Member States need to urgently accelerate the work to achieve their commitments to advancing the rights of all women and girls, especially in light of the current global pushback against fundamental human rights.   IPPF welcomes the adoption of the Political Declaration on the occasion of thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, in which Governments reaffirm their commitment to accelerate action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. IPPF actively engaged in the process by providing technical inputs to Member States and raising awareness of the situations of women, girls and the most marginalized communities and bringing their real-life experiences into the conversation.     The geopolitical backdrop to this year’s negotiations was extremely divided, with key issues such sexual and reproductive health and rights, multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and even the most basic agreed terms around gender equality being challenged.    Following the extensive and challenging political negotiations, the consensus adoption of this political declaration underscores strong cross-regional support for the human rights of all women and girls, the Commission’s mandate, the priority theme and the multilateral system.   The true impact of this political declaration will be measured by its implementation at the national level. As a locally rooted yet globally connected Federation, IPPF and its Member Associations are uniquely positioned to drive the implementation of the political declaration across national, regional, and global spheres. By doing so, we can ensure meaningful change in the lives of women, adolescents, girls, and other marginalized communities where it matters most.  As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Programme of Action and find ourselves only 5 years away from the 2030 deadline for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), no States are on track to achieve gender equality. Women, girls and marginalized communities continue to suffer disproportionally from lack of equality and have their fundamental human rights undermined every day, with grave consequences. In this current political moment, where governments are cutting funding and scale back support for basic lifesaving assistance for the most vulnerable, the renewed political commitment of governments with the adoption of the Political Declaration to accelerate the fulfilment of rights of all women and girls is an important step. It is now crucial to collectively hold governments accountable for their commitments.    IPPF particularly welcomes the inclusion of:  strong references to human rights of all women and girls, reflecting Member States’ unwavering commitment to strengthen their collective efforts toward the full, effective, and accelerated implementation of the Beijing Agenda, including ensuring the full enjoyment of women’s and girls’ human rights.  The reaffirmation of the need for gender-responsive budgeting and gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which is crucial for addressing structural inequalities.  The reference to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in the text, since women, adolescents, girls, and marginalized groups who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, are more likely to be structurally excluded. It is therefore important that the text recognizes the challenges in achieving gender equality for these groups.  A strong paragraph on the right to health for women and girls throughout their life course, including a reference to Universal Health Coverage:  The commitment to ensure that victims of and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and sexual violence in conflict have prompt and universal access to quality social and health care services and access to justice.   The commitment to addressing the risks and challenges emerging from the use of technologies, with full respect for the human rights of all women and girls, both online and offline, and that   gender-perspective should be mainstreamed in policy decisions and frameworks that guide the development of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence  The strong recognition of the role of women and girls in the resolution of armed conflicts, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction.   We are pleased that the important contributions of civil society are acknowledged, however, we regret that the Declaration does not explicitly reference Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), whose work is fundamental in advancing gender equality and human rights.    However, IPPF is disappointed that language on the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as a fundamental component for achieving gender equality was ultimately not included in the Political Declaration, which significantly weakens the text’s scope, as SRHR is fundamental to the lives of women, adolescents, and girls. Furthermore, despite overwhelming data and research demonstrating the benefits of investing in adolescent girls, this critical group remains underrepresented in the Political Declaration.     IPPF urges all governments to unite behind this crucial call to action. Three decades after the Beijing Conference and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for action, the world faces new and complex challenges to achieving the most fundamental human rights for all, which is further exacerbated by persistent structural inequalities.  It is imperative that we act with ambition, courage, and determination to uphold the legacy of Beijing. Looking ahead, we call on the global community to embrace a bold and transformative agenda that secures the rights and well-being of all women, adolescents, and girls and the most marginalized communities—not only for today but for the generations to come.    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.    Photo credits: IPPF/Hannah Maule-ffinch/Indonesia

Geneva, 12 July 2024 – The 56th Session of the Human Rights Council concluded today with major advancements for women and girls’ human rights, including the first ever reference to sexual and reproductive health and rights in a negotiated document—which was adopted by consensus.     For the first time in UN history, a resolution refers to the full formulation of “sexual and reproductive rights. The resolution, “Human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS,” urges states to address the specific needs of adolescents and young persons, especially girls and young women, and persons with disabilities in the response to HIV, and “to develop (...) sexual and reproductive health services, as well as education programmes on sexual and reproductive health and rights.” It is also the first resolution on HIV adopted by consensus since 2019.   In contrast to previously agreed language on ‘sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights’, the inclusion of ‘sexual rights’ ensures that young people will learn they have the rights to be free from sexual violence, from female genital mutilation, from marital rape, and that they have freedom to build safe, healthy relationships and families with the person they choose.  “The language adopted today reflects one of the most highly significant advances  on sexual and reproductive rights over the past 30 years at the UN. At a time of increasing attacks on freedom, human rights and bodily autonomy, the Human Rights Council has demonstrated that it is still fit for purpose to protect people’s human rights to live free from sexual violence,” says Estelle Wagner, IPPF’s Senior International Advocacy Adviser in Geneva.  During the session, the HRC also adopted the resolution “Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and Girls”, which urges states to repeal “all laws and policies that that criminalize or restrict the exercise of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights," in addition to reaffirming the right to bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health, reproductive rights, access to safe abortion, and comprehensive sexuality education. The resolution also addresses menstrual poverty for the first time in a UN resolution.  New resolutions on Accelerating Progress to Prevent Adolescent Pregnancy, and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence were also adopted during this session, as well as an updated resolution on Menstrual Hygiene Management, Human Rights and Gender Equality, which took a stronger health and humanitarian lens than the previous iteration.  IPPF worked hand in hand with Member States and civil society partners to ensure progressive and inclusive language in these resolutions would have a meaningful impact on people’s everyday lives.   In solidarity with women, girls and marginalized communities around the world who still face rights violations and significant barriers to enjoy their sexual and reproductive rights, IPPF remains committed to advancing human rights at all levels – from the UN to the local level where our Member Associations tirelessly fight for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all individuals. We are united, we are strong, and we will not back down until all people can exercise their sexual and reproductive rights free from coercion, discrimination and violence.   For media enquiries, please contact media@ippf.org    About the International Planned Parenthood Federation  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. We are a movement of 150 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 146 countries.  Building on a proud history of 70 years of achievement, we commit to lead a locally owned, globally connected civil society movement that provides and enables services and champions sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, especially the under-served.  We advocate for a world where people are provided with 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. 

Geneva, 4 April 2024 - The International Planned Parenthood Federation celebrates the historic adoption of the first ever United Nations resolution on the human rights of intersex persons! This landmark resolution advances efforts to combat the unique human rights violations that intersex persons face and the obligation of states to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of all people, without discrimination of any kind.   The resolution, Combating Discrimination, Violence, and Harmful Practices against Intersex Persons, was adopted by a vote of 24 in favour and 23 abstentions, with no votes against it. The resolution acknowledges that intersex people exist in all societies and face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in all areas of life. It specifically expresses grave concern about violence and harmful practices that intersex persons face, including children, including unnecessary or deferrable medical interventions made without full, free and informed consent. The resolution calls on states to combat violence, discrimination and harmful practices against intersex people, address the root causes such as stereotypes and stigma, and work to realize intersex people’s human right to health. This is a major advancement in the work of the Human Rights Council to ensure all people can exercise their human rights free from violence and discrimination.  Critically, intersex people and organizations were involved in every step of this initiative, including through powerful interventions in negotiations. IPPF applauds Finland, Chile, South Africa and Australia for championing a resolution which centered the priorities, terminology and lived experiences of intersex persons themselves. IPPF is proud to have worked in solidarity with civil society partners and Member States through evidence-based information, outreach and strategy in order to achieve success in this ground-breaking to guarantee the human rights of intersex persons.  Estelle Wagner, IPPF’s Senior International Advocacy Adviser in Geneva said: “The fact that not a single Member State voted against this resolution demonstrates the overwhelming global support for the human rights of intersex persons. This is a momentous achievement of the intersex community and we are so proud to stand in solidarity at this historic moment.”  As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing LGBTQI+ rights, IPPF is committed to continuing to fight for intersex people’s human rights at every level, from the UN to the local, to guarantee their right to live free from violence and discrimination. For media enquiries, please contact media@ippf.org   About the International Planned Parenthood Federation 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. We are a movement of 150 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 146 countries. Building on a proud history of 70 years of achievement, we commit to lead a locally owned, globally connected civil society movement that provides and enables services and champions sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, especially the under-served. We advocate for a world where people are provided with 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.

Geneva/London, 15 March 2024 - The Ugandan Court of Appeal’s decision to deny Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) legal registration fails the democratic principles enshrined in the country’s Constitution and should be reversed, ILGA World and The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) said today.  Despite having worked to protect the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions for more than twenty years, Sexual Minorities Uganda has repeatedly been denied legal recognition: first in 2012 and then in 2018, when the High Court upheld the initial decision by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau. Six years later, in March 2024, the Court of Appeal shut down SMUG’s hope to register and be recognised as an independent legal entity under the law. “For civil society organisations working on sexual, gender and bodily diversity issues, registration allows them to serve more effectively those parts of societies that States fail to protect,” said ILGA World and IPPF. “Without this opportunity, they cannot conduct their activities formally or receive funding for their work. Ultimately, this decision restricts freedom of association and further pushes those who are already targeted by discriminatory laws to the margins of society.” “The Constitution of Uganda,” continue ILGA World and IPPF, “claims that ‘The State shall be based on democratic principles which empower and encourage the active participation of all citizens at all levels in their own governance.’ Ultimately, the extremely disappointing decision to reject SMUG’s registration goes in the entirely opposite direction. We are in solidarity with the organisation and join them in calling out this missed opportunity to protect better the rights of some of the most vulnerable populations in Ugandan society.” In Uganda, registration is banned for those organisations with goals that allegedly are “in contravention of the laws”. In January 2023, a report by the NGO Bureau detailed how the agency investigated and acted upon several organisations for promoting the rights of LGBTI people and recommended authorities take stricter measures against NGOs that "promote LGBTIQ activities" — including stepping up the criminalisation of activism. A few months later, the Anti-Homosexuality Act was signed into law, further cracking down also on organisations found guilty of “promoting homosexuality”. These actions against LGBTI human rights NGOs are part of a larger crackdown on Ugandan civil society. In November 2019, the Ugandan government shut down more than 12,000 organisations. Such actions have since continued, with as many as 54 organisations suspended in a single day in August 2021. “Across the world, State and non-state actors are mobilising voter bases by attacking our identities and freedoms: we see the same tactics at play here, too,” ILGA World and IPPF conclude. “At this critical time, politicians need to focus on the things that matter – a stable economy and vibrant communities — rather than attacking those who work to support vulnerable parts of societies. LGBTI people and cisgender heterosexual women and girls are marginalised and excluded by policies, legislation and narratives that strip away reproductive rights and criminalise sexuality and gender. But our communities stand united to defend and secure democratic and economic rights for all.”   Notes to editors: ILGA World is a global federation of more than 2,000 organisations from 170 countries and territories, advocating for the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics worldwide. https://ilga.org  The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952, and today, it is a movement of 150 member associations and collaborative partners with a presence in over 146 countries. https://www.ippf.org/    Contacts for media enquiries: ILGA World: Daniele Paletta, communications manager, media@ilga.org IPPF: Alice Ackermann, communications adviser, media@ippf.org     

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 International Planned Parenthood Federation expresses its disappointment that the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), held from 10-14 April 2023 at UN headquarters in New York, did not result in a resolution on the theme of Population, Education and Sustainable Development.   The Chair’s draft resolution for consideration on 14th April was the result of many weeks of intergovernmental discussions and represented a compromise to address the positions of all delegations. It was a balanced text based on previously agreed language and included critical elements related to this year’s priority theme, including ensuring a comprehensive response to the learning crises the world is facing today. Key issues including the need for gender-responsive policy development, a focus on marginalized communities, youth and adolescents, sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights were consensually included in the draft resolution, demonstrating global consensus on these issues. However, consensus on the document was unfortunately broken by a small minority of Member States who were unable to accept language pertaining to comprehensive education on human sexuality, which was language adopted at this very Commission in 2014, and which comes from the 1994 ICPD Programme of Action itself. It is disappointing that these few Member States found it more important to block agreed language than to adopt meaningful advancements in the area of education. The ramifications of the failure to adopt this resolution will have an impact on billions of young people, adolescents and girls worldwide who have experienced the largest disruption of education systems in history, where more than 90 % of the world’s children have had their education interrupted by COVID-19 and 263 million children and young people are still out of school (1 in 5). IPPF is, however, encouraged that the negotiations on this resolution, which took place over several weeks, demonstrated the on-going commitment of Member States to the the ICPD Programme of Action (PoA), the key actions for its further implementation, the declaration on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, and resolutions and work of the Commission on Population and Development. We also welcome the plenary program of the 56th session of the CPD, which featured strong data on comprehensive sexuality education from UN agencies as evidence of its beneficial impact on children, adolescents and  young people. In addition (or equally important), the experience of national programs and the passionate voices of young people reaffirmed that comprehensive sexuality education is an essential tool to empower young people and adolescents to make informed choices about their bodies, lives and futures.  With a view towards the 30th anniversary of the ICPD PoA in 2024, we appreciate the commitment of Member States to continue working to deliver on the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and look forward to engaging in the national, regional, and global processes of ICPD+30, culminating in next year’s 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development.

Texas judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, has suspended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of the abortion pill Mifepristone in a horror move for abortion access across the United States. The decision will result in a nationwide ban on Mifepristone in seven days, with the FDA given one week to appeal the ruling. While the ban also affected access in states that have secured abortion post-Roe v Wade, a conflicting ruling from Judge Thomas O. Rice from a federal court in Washington state ordered the FDA to maintain access to Mifepristone in 17 democratic states and Colombia District – effectively putting access to the pill into limbo. Mifepristone, which has been FDA-approved for more than 22 years and has a safety record of over 99%[i], is taken alongside the drug Misoprostol during medical abortion procedures. Since then, it has been used by over 5 million[ii] Americans and was used in more than half of abortions nationwide last year. While Misoprostol can be used alone in medical abortion, people should have access to the full spectrum of abortion care options. Mifepristone is also used in the medical management of miscarriage and second and third-trimester pregnancies when the fetus has died before birth. While the ruling does not prohibit the FDA from making a new authorization for Mifepristone, this will likely take many months. Severe disruption to abortion care services, healthcare services and supply chain issues are expected as healthcare providers and pharmacies grapple with legality, stock, retraining and reeducation. Beth Schlachter, Director of Global Advocacy for the International Planned Parenthood Federation, said: "For 22 years, Mifepristone has been safely used in medical abortion care across the U.S., allowing healthcare providers to deliver safe, practical and discreet care to people who have chosen to end their pregnancies, regardless of their economic status or ability to travel. "In one fell swoop, anti-abortion extremists have once again stripped people of their rights in another blow to liberty. This horror ruling based on junk science, wilful distortion of fact and extreme political agendas will profoundly affect the lives of millions of people already struggling to access the care they need, especially in states where abortion is already banned." Anti-abortion extremists deliberately filed the case against the approval of Mifepristone in the Amarillo division of the Northern District of Texas — a single-judge division where cases are automatically assigned to Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a conservative judge appointed by former President Trump. The group claim that: "the statutory basis on which the FDA's approval of Mifepristone was issued 22 years ago is invalid" - an assertion both the Government Accountability Office and FDA have previously investigated and put to rest "an 1873 vice law that made it illegal to send "obscene, lewd or lascivious" material through the mail applies to abortion pills" - federal courts have consistently ruled it doesn't apply to lawful abortions "the drug's original approval wasn't supported by evidence of safety and efficacy" — a claim that medical and policy experts have continuously discredited Beth Schlachter, added: "The implementation of a national ban on Mifepristone via a state court debunks one of the principal anti-abortion arguments in the Roe v Wade case  - that the ruling curtailed state freedom and that abortion rights should be defined on a state-by-state basis. "This weaponization of federal courts by anti-abortion extremists proves just how dangerous the overturning of Roe v Wade is for everyday Americans, whose access to healthcare now lies in the hands of fanatical religious extremists determined to disrupt, harass and deceive until they end access to abortion care and long-held sexual and reproductive rights for good." The International Planned Parenthood Federation's local partner, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, will continue to provide abortion care where safe and legal to do so. Those seeking medical abortion can also access care via AidAccess and WomenonWeb. At least two abortion networks, Trust Women and Whole Womans Health, have also announced that they will not immediately stop prescribing Mifepristone and will await a directive from the FDA – a move known as a conscientious provision which refers to providers who continue to provide care despite the legal parameters.   Alongside its partner and other reproductive health organizations, IPPF will keep fighting for access to abortion care, freedom from stigma and freedom from criminalization until everyone, everywhere, is free to make choices about their sexuality and well-being. [i] https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/filer_public/42/8a/428ab2ad-3798-4e3d-8a9f-213203f0af65/191011-the-facts-on-mifepristone-d01.pdf [ii] Ibid For media enquiries, please contact Karmen Ivey at kivey@ippf.org or media@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 organizations 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.  

The Director General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Dr Alvaro Bermejo, is in Australia this week for high level meetings with Australian Government Ministers and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). He is joined by Ms Tomoka Fukuda, Regional Director of IPPF’s East and Southeast Asia and Oceania Region (ESEAOR) and Ms Phoebe Ryan, IPPF’s Chief of the Australia and New Zealand Office. In Australia, Dr Bermejo has been privileged to meet with Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy. Together, they discussed how Australia can play a leadership role in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights through Australia’s international development cooperation. Last week, Dr Bermejo and Ms Fukuda visited IPPF’s Member Association in Solomon Islands, the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA). In Solomon Islands, they witnessed SIPPA’s life-saving and critical work delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare on the ground, including mobile outreach in remote communities of Malaita Province. Australia has been a long-standing and critical partner to IPPF, supporting programming to reach women, girls, and marginalized groups across the development–humanitarian continuum around the world, with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific. In December 2022, IPPF and DFAT signed a new four-year global funding agreement for 2023 to 2026, part of which includes dedicated support to programming across the Pacific. AUD 19 million is dedicated as global funding towards the delivery of IPPF’s Strategy 2028, along with a further AUD 5.7 million to support the delivery of IPPF’s Pacific Niu Vaka Strategy, Phase 2. This generous investment will enable IPPF to reach an anticipated 1.8 million people in the Pacific over the next six years with 4.2 million essential sexual and reproductive services. IPPF is proud to stand alongside our Pacific MAs as they continue to advocate for the health and rights of those most underserved and excluded, reaching communities with essential information and high quality, person-centred sexual and reproductive health care.     In 2021, IPPF reached over 72 million people around the world with more than 155 million sexual and reproductive health services and contributed to 121 policy and legislative changes in defence of SRHR. IPPF is grateful for Australia’s ongoing support in enabling this impact. IPPF’s Director General, Alvaro Bermejo shared: “IPPF are delighted to be working with the Australian Government to continue improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women and girls across the globe. We are grateful to them for helping us deliver more services and support at a time when inequalities are deepening, the opposition is growing, and humanitarian crises continue to place the lives of millions, particularly women and girls, at risk. As we look to build the future with our new strategy, continued support from global partners is crucial to achieving a world where everyone has access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. We hope DFAT’s strong global commitment will inspire other global leaders to take action.” For media enquiries, please contact Karmen Ivey on kivey@ippf.org or Phoebe Ryan on pryan@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 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 organizations 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 are provided with 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.