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This year, the Trump administration has banned federal employees and grant recipients from acknowledging World AIDS Day, celebrated on the 1st December 2025. The State Department’s directive told employees to “refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day through any communication channels, including social media, media engagements, speeches or other public-facing messaging”.This latest directive comes after US funding cuts this year put essential sexual and reproductive healthcare, which includes HIV prevention services, at risk for millions worldwide. A global survey of Member Associations  conducted by IPPF revealed the devastating impacts on our Member Associations who provide integrated sexual and reproductive healthcare services. Over half our Member Associations were affected, with an estimated loss of $85million. The Trump administration’s decision to enforce silence around World AIDS Day demonstrates a lack of respect for the lived experiences of those living with HIV, those who died of AIDS, and all affected by HIV. This directive impedes the ongoing efforts to reduce the transmission of HIV and to address stigma, discrimination, and inequality. These decisions are not isolated from broader state driven ideologies and anti-rights pushbacks that continue to suppress the acceptance and fair inclusion of all people in society. This enforced silence on World AIDS Day serves only to further embed stigma and injustice and is another reminder as to why we must confront these moments with equal strength and clarity. IPPF supports the rights of all people in society and works to provide sexual and reproductive health services to all, in particular those who are marginalised, such as gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, trans people, people who inject drugs, and prisoners. IPPF works with our Member Associations doing vital work to support those living with HIV, to end stigma, and ‘overcome disruption’ to providing essential health services to communities, including HIV testing, prevention and treatment. In times of crisis and oppression, rights and dignity need champions. At IPPF we carry this moment with our Member Associations on the ground and stand behind them in their continued dignity and fight for the right to continue the vital work they do. At IPPF we will continue our work towards a vision of a world free from HIV where everyone is valued equally, has a healthy, pleasurable, and fulfilling life within a just and equal society. Key to an impactful HIV programme is understanding and addressing drivers of the HIV pandemic, including structural barriers; violence against women; discrimination; stigma; harmful social norms; inequalities related to sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, and economic status; criminalisation of HIV transmission and certain populations; and restrictive laws and policies.Due to social and biological vulnerabilities, certain groups of people experience higher rates of HIV including women and girls; gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men; sex workers; people who inject drugs; trans people; and people in prisons. Working with those affected by and living with HIV to design, implement, and evaluate IPPF services and programmes is essential on our pathway to realise a society free of discrimination and stigma, and for all people living with HIV to live healthy and fulfilled lives. A community-led and inclusive response includes both tailoring services and programmes to address the needs of communities more severely affected by HIV, as well as addressing the needs of all people who would benefit from HIV‑related services such as youth, people with disabilities, pregnant women and infants, people in sexual relationships with individuals living with HIV, boys and men, and others who may not identify as a member of certain groups. Of key importance is creating programmes, services, and spaces that are inclusive, discrimination-free, and accessible to all, where each person feels welcomed and that their health and well‑being needs will be at the centre of the care that they receive.At IPPF our Member Association’s work demonstrates what we can achieve when we lead with community-led responses. For example, in Mozambique, the Associação Moçambicana para o Desenvolvimento da Família (AMODEFA), together with sex workers, are working to ensure that sex workers have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, with oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP*) for HIV prevention.In Zambia, the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ), through a partnership between the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria—has secured 21,600 Dapivirine Vaginal Rings for HIV prevention for women. Adding the PrEP ring as an additional HIV prevention option gives women more choice about which HIV prevention method they can use, empowers them to make informed decisions about their health, and increases the chance that individuals can find a method that works for them.On Worlds AIDS day we are doubling down on our commitment and support to the communities we work with and our Member Associations who continue to provide innovative healthcare models to prevent HIV transmission, and provide vital care to those living with HIV. The work in Mozambique and Zambia are just two examples of the work that many Member Associations are implementing globally to provide essential health services to communities, including HIV testing, treatment and prevention. *Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is used to reduce the risk of getting HIV.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has launched the CAD48 million "EmpowHER" project in partnership with Global Affairs Canada. The initiative aims to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for marginalised women, girls, and underserved communities across at least 11 countries. EmpowHER will enhance access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care, deliver comprehensive sexuality education, and combat growing threats to SRHR through policy reform and advocacy. This partnership aligns with Canada’s commitment to gender equality and empowering young people to make informed choices about their well-being. Ensuring Inclusive SRHR Delivery for Women, Girls and Marginalise Communities (EmpowHER), is a large-scale initiative that will strengthen access to SRHR for the most marginalised and underserved groups, particularly women and girls. It will support millions of women, girls, and vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mauritania, Sudan, Zambia, Uganda, Togo, Colombia, Ecuador and Pakistan. Through an intersectional, human rights-based feminist approach, EmpowHER will increase access to much needed rights-based SRH care, including access to person-centred safe and legal abortion care. It will deliver critical comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) to empower young people to act on their sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) by expanding their access to quality, rights-based, and gender-sensitive CSE. Furthermore, this initiative will also counteract the growing threats to women’s and girls' sexual and reproductive health rights, by providing urgent support to improve policies and strengthen the capacity of movements and coalitions. Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General of IPPF, emphasised the critical need to protect and expand access to SRHR. “This new project will continue our mission of empowering women and girls, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa, to make informed decisions about their bodies. We will not only increase access to much needed SRHR services including safe and legal abortion but will also deliver CSE to young people and tackle the rollback of SRHR rights.” “We’re grateful to the Canadian Government for their support and continued partnership.” The funding, unveiled during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), is part of Canada’s 10-Year Commitment to Global Health and Rights and aligns with its Feminist International Assistance Policy. Canada is committed to securing a more gender-equal world in which young people are empowered to exercise their rights and make free and informed decisions about their sexuality and well-being. "By supporting the EmpowHER initiative, Canada is taking another step towards achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, in all their diversity, worldwide. This project will not only improve access to vital sexual and reproductive health services, but also ensure that the most marginalized communities can exercise their rights and make informed choices about their health and future. Together, we will strengthen partnerships that champion these rights and protect the progress we've made", said the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, Canada.

Nairobi, 23 September 2024 – A groundbreaking £75.125 million project has been announced by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and its partners, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Options, Ipas, and Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programmes, to transform sexual and reproductive health services across East and Southern Africa. This large-scale initiative will benefit seven countries, supporting millions of women, girls, and vulnerable communities in Burundi, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Zambia. This programme, known as Women’s Integrated Sexual Health 2 (WISH 2) Lot 2, is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). As part of FCDO WISH Dividend, it builds on the successes of FCDO’s £272 million Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (2018-2024) programme, which spanned 27 countries across Africa and Asia. Over its lifespan, the first WISH programme supported over an estimated 16.9 million women and girls, helping them gain access to critical SRHR services. FCDO’s continued partnership with IPPF for this next phase of WISH was unveiled by FCDO's Chris Carter, on behalf of the UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) side event, “SRHR: Securing reproductive choice for the next generation.” Announcing FCDO’s partnerships with IPPF, MSI Reproductive Choices and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Chris Carter noted the new programme will play a critical role in increasing women's voice, choice and control across 13 countries in Africa.” With the goal of delivering over seven million ‘couple years protection,’ the programme will address critical healthcare gaps, promote reproductive choice, and tackle harmful social norms. It will also provide urgent support to improve policies, strengthen health systems, and safeguard the reproductive rights of women and girls, especially in areas affected by conflict and displacement. At the heart of this initiative is a focus on reaching the most marginalised groups, including young women and girls under 20, those living in poverty, people with disabilities, and communities in conflict zones. Importantly, WISH2 will also work to improve access to safe abortion care and counteract the growing threats to women’s and girls' sexual and reproductive health rights. IPPF Director General Dr Alvaro Bermejo emphasised the critical need to protect and expand access to SRHR. “WISH2 will continue our mission of empowering women and girls across Africa to unlock their full potential. We will not only tackle the rollback of SRHR rights but also strengthen disability inclusion while delivering sustainable healthcare solutions,” said Dr Bermejo. “We’re grateful to the UK Government for their unwavering support in this important work.” Elshafie Mohamed Ali, Executive Director of Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) said “WISH2 is essential given Sudan’s current circumstances, particularly the ongoing conflict since April 15, 2023. The programme addresses the growing need for sexual and reproductive health services, offering crucial support to vulnerable communities amidst increasing instability and humanitarian challenges.” Chris Carter, Deputy Director, Head of Human Development Department, highlighted the impact of this new initiative: “Access to sexual and reproductive health services saves lives, empowers women and girls, and supports education, transforming lives and entire livelihoods. This project will amplify women’s voice, choice, and control across Africa, and we are proud to partner with IPPF and African organizations in this critical mission.” For media enquiries, please contact media@ippf.org