The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is delighted to welcome Maria Antonieta Alcalde Castro as she continues her work for sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice (SRHRJ) as IPPF’s next Director-General.
Maria Antonieta brings bold, values-driven leadership to IPPF at a critical moment. With more than 30 years of experience in SRHRJ advocacy, UN negotiations, and movement-building, Maria Antonieta brings deep credibility and a global perspective to IPPF’s leadership. A Mexican feminist, she centers community and voice, especially women and young people, with a view to shaping inclusive, responsive health systems. Under Maria Antonieta’s leadership, IPPF will continue to speak out unapologetically, mobilize global solidarity, and advance a future where sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice are protected for all.
“My vision is to strengthen our movement by standing firmly with IPPF Member Associations and frontline providers who everyday deliver essential SRH services. Together, we will continue to build bold community-driven coalitions that confront injustice and reshape the systems of power that sustain oppression and uphold inequality.
Through collective leadership and coordinated advocacy, we can defend and advance sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice. This is a moment to reaffirm who we are: a global movement rooted in values, solidarity and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves the freedom to decide over their own lives.”
Maria Antonieta has the vision, leadership, and resolve needed to drive IPPF and its mission during this crucial moment in SRHRJ and human rights history, and now is an opportunity for IPPF to reaffirm our Charter of Values, unanimously adopted at the 2025 General Assembly. Dignity, equality, justice, pleasure, community, integrity, and resilience are not abstract ideals for IPPF, they are our commitment to advance and defend sexual and reproductive health and rights for everyone, everywhere. This work will continue under Maria Antonieta’s stewardship as we reaffirm who we are and continue to stand steadfast alongside the healthcare providers, educators, activists, movement-builders and volunteers that are IPPF’s collective strength.
As we welcome Maria Antonietta, we also thank Dr Alvaro Bermejo for his work in radically transforming the organisation to the IPPF you see today. We can stand proud, disruptive and fierce in our fight for sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice because of the work you undertook to reaffirm who we are: a vibrant, diverse collective, united by an unwavering commitment to sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice.
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