Let’s take a leap back in time to the beginning of 2024:
In twelve months, what victories has our movement managed to secure in the face of growing opposition and the rise of the far right? These victories for sexual and reproductive rights and health are the result of relentless grassroots work and advocacy by our Member Associations, in partnership with community organizations, allied politicians, and the mobilization of public opinion. Together, as we revisit the milestones of 2024, let us acknowledge that transformative change stems from collective action and steadfast solidarity.
March: France enshrines abortion right in the Constitution & Thailand guarantees equal marital rights for same-sex couples
On March 8, France took a historic step by enshrining the right to abortion in its Constitution. This groundbreaking achievement was made possible through the leadership of IPPF's Member Association, Le Planning Familial, in collaboration with feminist organizations, healthcare professionals, and supportive members of parliament. This milestone marks a major victory in the ongoing fight for reproductive freedom.
On March 28, we celebrated the historic move by Thailand's House of Representatives to pass a marriage equality bill, paving the way for the country to become the first in Southeast Asia to guarantee equal marital rights for same-sex couples. This legislative shift enables Thailand to recognise the marriages of partners of any gender aged 18 and older, extending comprehensive rights that include inheritance, equal access to various tax savings, and eligibility for adoption rights, ensuring a broad spectrum of legal equality and protection. With this development, Thailand will becomes the third Asian country to embrace marriage equality, joining Taiwan (2019) and Nepal (2023).
Florence Lee/IPPF ESEAOR/BangkokThailand
April: the UN adopts the first ever resolution on the human rights of intersex persons, Tanzania authorizes Mifepristone and Mexican state Jalisco decriminalizes abortion
On April 4, 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. This is a historic adoption as it is the first ever United Nations resolution on the human rights of intersex persons!
On April 29, the abortion pill Mifepristone has been registered and authorized by relevant authorities in Tanzania. It can now be used for emergency contraception, uterine fibroids, post-abortion care, and the termination of pregnancy in line with local law. Tanzania joined a growing list of countries that have registered mifepristone for authorized use.
Mexico continued to progress on abortion rights with legislative and judicial developments since the Supreme Court decriminalization in 2023. In 2024, the Mexican government further solidified access by ensuring federal health services provided abortion care, thanks to work of IPPF Member Association Mexfam. This move included implementing procedural guidelines to guarantee abortion access, even in states where restrictive laws remain. On April 26, Jalisco became the 13th state in Mexico, out of 31, to decriminalize abortion. These changes enhance access to abortion care for millions of people in Mexico and contribute to the Green Wave movement in Latin America.
Photo credit: IPPF Americas and the Caribbean
May: The European Union adopts its first-ever GBV directive and Denmark expands access to abortion
On May 3, a victory for reproductive rights was achieved in Denmark as the Interior Ministry announced a political agreement between the government and opposition party leaders. This decision extends the right to free abortion—abortion on request—from 12 weeks to 18 weeks of pregnancy.
On May 14, the European Union adopted the landmark Directive on Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, marking a major legislative step in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) within the EU. This directive criminalizes various forms of violence, including domestic abuse, online violence, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage. It also includes provisions to protect women from cyber violence, such as non-consensual sharing of intimate images, cyberstalking, and cyberflashing. IPPF European Network along with Member Associations and partners played a key role in the drafting of the directive. For two years, IPPF and MAs met with European Members of Parliament and Member States to advocate for an ambitious and progressive directive.
June: Namibia declares the apartheid-era sodomy law unconstitutional
On June 21, the High Court of Namibia declared the apartheid-era sodomy law unconstitutional. The ruling also struck down all references to sodomy in other laws, including the Criminal Procedure Act, the Defense Act, and the Immigration Control Act. This monumental decision represents a significant step towards achieving a free and equal Namibia, creating a unified safe space for the LGBTQI+ community. The now repealed law is a relic of the colonial era, however in many countries across Africa such laws have continued to be used to target marginalised and vulnerable groups long into independence. Therefore, this ruling is both a win for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, and the continued struggle for Africa’s independence.
July: Japan’s Supreme Court declares practices under the now-defunct eugenics law unconstitutional
On July 5, we celebrated the landmark ruling by Japan’s Supreme Court, declaring practices under the now-defunct eugenics law unconstitutional and ordering the government to pay damages to survivors of forced sterilisations. This historic ruling by the nation’s highest court is a significant victory for the plaintiffs and about 25,000 others forcibly sterilised under the law. The court rejected the government’s argument about the 20-year statute of limitations, deeming it irrelevant in this case and setting an important precedent for survivors to come forward.
Image credit: Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP/Getty Images
August: Eswatini rolls out the first women-controlled HIV prevention product, the dapivirine vaginal ring
On August 24, in Eswatini, the Family Life Association of Eswatini (FLAS), rolled out the first women-controlled HIV prevention product, the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR). FLAS became the first organisations to offer the DVR outside implementation or pilot studies anywhere in the world. Made of flexible silicone, the ring is inserted into the vagina by a woman and slowly releases the antiretroviral drug dapivirine in the vagina over a one-month period, helping to reduce a woman’s risk of acquiring HIV.
November: 7 US States voted to protect abortion rights
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, nearly two dozen U.S. states have banned or severely restricted access to safe and legal abortion. However, in November 2024, seven states—Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, New York, Maryland, Montana, and Nevada—voted to protect abortion rights. These victories were enabled by the tireless advocacy led by IPPF Member Association Planned Parenthood.
Mexico has become a destination for individuals from neighboring countries, including the United States, seeking safe abortion services amid restrictive laws in their home states.
December: Belgium adopts the first law granting sex workers labor protection and Norway extends access to abortion
On December 1, Belgium made significant strides in improving the rights of sex workers through a new law that grants them labor protections similar to those in other professions. This includes the ability to sign formal employment contracts, access health insurance, paid leave, maternity benefits, unemployment support, and pensions. The law also establishes essential worker protections, such as the right to refuse clients, choose specific practices, and stop an act at any moment, without facing consequences from employers. We celebrate the work of sex workers led organizations who worked tirelessly to get this victory.
On December 3, Norway took a major step closer to reproductive freedom when its Parliament adopted by a large majority a groundbreaking new law extending self-determined abortion rights from 12 weeks to 18. The new law will assess the accessibility of abortion care within the primary health care system, since until now, abortions have only been accessible at regional hospitals. IPPF Member Association Sex og Politikk and its partners are committed to ensuring that future revisions of Norway’s abortion law address these concerns and further dismantle barriers to care.
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