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Latest news from IPPF EN

Spotlight

A selection of news from across the Federation

Image GBV access to justice 16 Days
News item

EU efforts to combat violence against women at risk as governments withhold support for vital bill

On the Intl Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, IPPF EN welcomes MEPs' strong commitment to EU action on GBV, and calls on Member States to prioritise people's safety over politics. No excuses.

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EWAG 2018
news item

| 01 October 2018

The European Week of Action of Girls is back!

The European Week of Action of Girls (EWAG) is a week-long programme of events and activities, based around the International Day of the Girl Child, on Thursday 11th October. Now in its sixth year EWAG asks the EU to better protect and champion the rights of girls, particularly through its external action. Organised by a coalition of civil society organisations, and supported by the European Institutions and UN Agencies, the 2018 European Week of Action for Girls takes place from 8 – 12 October. The European Week of Action for Girls 2018 will give girls the opportunity to talk to EU decision-makers and help shape a better world for all girls. They will address EU leaders on what needs to be done to overcome the barriers they face and to ensure their rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. This year, EWAG will particularly focus on girls’ right to education, combatting violence, economic empowerment and to participation in decision-making. Background paper. Advocacy paper. Video interview following EWAG. The week in photos.

EWAG 2018
news_item

| 01 October 2018

The European Week of Action of Girls is back!

The European Week of Action of Girls (EWAG) is a week-long programme of events and activities, based around the International Day of the Girl Child, on Thursday 11th October. Now in its sixth year EWAG asks the EU to better protect and champion the rights of girls, particularly through its external action. Organised by a coalition of civil society organisations, and supported by the European Institutions and UN Agencies, the 2018 European Week of Action for Girls takes place from 8 – 12 October. The European Week of Action for Girls 2018 will give girls the opportunity to talk to EU decision-makers and help shape a better world for all girls. They will address EU leaders on what needs to be done to overcome the barriers they face and to ensure their rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. This year, EWAG will particularly focus on girls’ right to education, combatting violence, economic empowerment and to participation in decision-making. Background paper. Advocacy paper. Video interview following EWAG. The week in photos.

All of Us manifesto
news item

| 11 July 2018

Together against the backlash on reproductive rights

IPPF EN is proud to be among more than 100 signatories (mostly Members of the European Parliament) of the All of Us manifesto urging the EU and Member States to ensure reproductive freedom.  All of US is the European Parliament's pro-choice network, mobilizing support for the right to access modern contraception and safe and legal abortion. The manifesto reads as follows:   "The cross-party ALL of US coalition in the European Parliament commits to and urges the EU and Member States to ensure women’s reproductive health and rights, including the right to decide over their own bodies and sexuality, so that women can live freely and enjoy safe reproductive lives. To that end, we call on the EU and Member States to: Firmly denounce and oppose regressive and repressive discourse, laws and policies that undermine gender equality and women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, and strongly condemn retrograde measures that have no place in a democratic 21st century Europe; Invest resources in and prioritize the delivery of far-reaching initiatives to change harmful social norms, to defend women’s dignity and autonomy and to combat all gender-based violence; Provide strong political and financial support to women’s rights groups and human rights defenders, particularly those working in challenging contexts within the EU and across the globe; Proactively support women's rights worldwide and significantly increase EU development funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights in particular for access to family planning and safe and legal abortion without discrimination, with a view to reducing the financing gap left by the United States in this area. We urge the EU Member States to ensure women’s access to safe abortion care, to provide the best possible reproductive health care to all women and to protect all its citizens from coercion and illtreatment. The ALL of US coalition will continue its work in the European Parliament and beyond to mobilise support for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights within and outside the EU and will not be hampered by regressive propaganda."    

All of Us manifesto
news_item

| 11 July 2018

Together against the backlash on reproductive rights

IPPF EN is proud to be among more than 100 signatories (mostly Members of the European Parliament) of the All of Us manifesto urging the EU and Member States to ensure reproductive freedom.  All of US is the European Parliament's pro-choice network, mobilizing support for the right to access modern contraception and safe and legal abortion. The manifesto reads as follows:   "The cross-party ALL of US coalition in the European Parliament commits to and urges the EU and Member States to ensure women’s reproductive health and rights, including the right to decide over their own bodies and sexuality, so that women can live freely and enjoy safe reproductive lives. To that end, we call on the EU and Member States to: Firmly denounce and oppose regressive and repressive discourse, laws and policies that undermine gender equality and women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, and strongly condemn retrograde measures that have no place in a democratic 21st century Europe; Invest resources in and prioritize the delivery of far-reaching initiatives to change harmful social norms, to defend women’s dignity and autonomy and to combat all gender-based violence; Provide strong political and financial support to women’s rights groups and human rights defenders, particularly those working in challenging contexts within the EU and across the globe; Proactively support women's rights worldwide and significantly increase EU development funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights in particular for access to family planning and safe and legal abortion without discrimination, with a view to reducing the financing gap left by the United States in this area. We urge the EU Member States to ensure women’s access to safe abortion care, to provide the best possible reproductive health care to all women and to protect all its citizens from coercion and illtreatment. The ALL of US coalition will continue its work in the European Parliament and beyond to mobilise support for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights within and outside the EU and will not be hampered by regressive propaganda."    

IPPF/Laura Lewis/UK
news item

| 04 May 2018

Call on the EU to reflect gender equality in the next multiannual budget

This week the European Commission released its Communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027) which makes no reference to gender equality. CSOs come together to call on the European Parliament and on Member States to safeguard the promotion and protection of gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights in the further development of the post-2020 EU budget.    Statement follows: "On Wednesday, the European Commission released its Communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027). As the gender and development community we are deeply concerned that gender equality is not addressed as a key political priority. We question to what extent the external relations budget, increased to 10% of the MFF, will serve the primary long-term objective of EU’s development cooperation which remains the eradication of poverty.   The Communication itself makes no reference to gender equality. Its annex makes only two cursory references to gender mainstreaming (including one regarding the new Neighbourhood, International and Development Cooperation Instrument – Heading VI), without giving any more details as to how this should be undertaken under the next MFF. The principles of “prosperity, sustainability and solidarity” should serve as a guide, ensuring that the next MFF is fair and inclusive for all, including women and girls.   If the EU really wants to establish ‘a modern, focused EU budget’, this cannot be done without the sound and comprehensive inclusion of a gender perspective that is key to enable better and more evidence-based decision-making, which in turn contributes to ensuring an effective use of public funds and EU added value in its external action. Notably, a gender responsive budget facilitates the attainment of modern standards of public financial management such as performance orientation, transparency, accountability, and participation.   While acknowledging Europe’s future long-term funding debate comes in at a challenging and complex political environment, the EU also needs to match it with the ambitions and commitments made to achieve all Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring no one is left behind. Since the EU has played a key role in advancing the global agenda for gender equality through various policies and initiatives, it must now operationalize this political leadership to guarantee its new Heading VI has a transformative and positive impact in the lives of women and girls. The new European Consensus on Development, which is acknowledged by the European Commission as a cornerstone of the next MFF when it comes to external action, reiterates this commitment. This will not become a reality without specific targets, investments in all development sectors, the generation of sector-specific, gender-disaggregated data, and an understanding of the complexity of multiple discriminations. Consistent support for gender equality will have a multiplier effect and ensure a sustainable, positive impact of EU actions with partner countries. As it currently stands, gender equality will likely be reduced to a minimum in the implementation of the Neighbourhood, International and Development Cooperation Instrument. We, therefore, call on the European Parliament and the Member States, in the further elaboration of the future EU budget, to safeguard the promotion and protection of gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights. Lifting women and girls out of poverty helps lift whole families, communities and countries out of poverty and is therefore key to ensuring sustainable, inclusive economic growth." Signed by IPPF EN, Care International, World Vision, Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, ONE, Plan International, European Women's Lobby, DSW, WIDE+, European Region World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

IPPF/Laura Lewis/UK
news_item

| 04 May 2018

Call on the EU to reflect gender equality in the next multiannual budget

This week the European Commission released its Communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027) which makes no reference to gender equality. CSOs come together to call on the European Parliament and on Member States to safeguard the promotion and protection of gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights in the further development of the post-2020 EU budget.    Statement follows: "On Wednesday, the European Commission released its Communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027). As the gender and development community we are deeply concerned that gender equality is not addressed as a key political priority. We question to what extent the external relations budget, increased to 10% of the MFF, will serve the primary long-term objective of EU’s development cooperation which remains the eradication of poverty.   The Communication itself makes no reference to gender equality. Its annex makes only two cursory references to gender mainstreaming (including one regarding the new Neighbourhood, International and Development Cooperation Instrument – Heading VI), without giving any more details as to how this should be undertaken under the next MFF. The principles of “prosperity, sustainability and solidarity” should serve as a guide, ensuring that the next MFF is fair and inclusive for all, including women and girls.   If the EU really wants to establish ‘a modern, focused EU budget’, this cannot be done without the sound and comprehensive inclusion of a gender perspective that is key to enable better and more evidence-based decision-making, which in turn contributes to ensuring an effective use of public funds and EU added value in its external action. Notably, a gender responsive budget facilitates the attainment of modern standards of public financial management such as performance orientation, transparency, accountability, and participation.   While acknowledging Europe’s future long-term funding debate comes in at a challenging and complex political environment, the EU also needs to match it with the ambitions and commitments made to achieve all Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring no one is left behind. Since the EU has played a key role in advancing the global agenda for gender equality through various policies and initiatives, it must now operationalize this political leadership to guarantee its new Heading VI has a transformative and positive impact in the lives of women and girls. The new European Consensus on Development, which is acknowledged by the European Commission as a cornerstone of the next MFF when it comes to external action, reiterates this commitment. This will not become a reality without specific targets, investments in all development sectors, the generation of sector-specific, gender-disaggregated data, and an understanding of the complexity of multiple discriminations. Consistent support for gender equality will have a multiplier effect and ensure a sustainable, positive impact of EU actions with partner countries. As it currently stands, gender equality will likely be reduced to a minimum in the implementation of the Neighbourhood, International and Development Cooperation Instrument. We, therefore, call on the European Parliament and the Member States, in the further elaboration of the future EU budget, to safeguard the promotion and protection of gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights. Lifting women and girls out of poverty helps lift whole families, communities and countries out of poverty and is therefore key to ensuring sustainable, inclusive economic growth." Signed by IPPF EN, Care International, World Vision, Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, ONE, Plan International, European Women's Lobby, DSW, WIDE+, European Region World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

ABUBEF clinic, Burundi
news item

| 12 February 2018

IPPF Statement on US State department 6 month GGR review

Global gag rule impact for IPPF is a life or death situation for clients The impact for people receiving care from member associations of the International Planned Parenthood Federation around the world is devastating. A total of 29 countries are seeing clinics, staffing, services and health supplies reduced due to the loss of US funding through the global gag rule. The policy, the most extreme of its kind, will hurt family planning , HIV, sexual and gender based violence and Tuberculosis healthcare for men, women and young people.  IPPF’s members believe reproductive health care is a right and everyone should be able to make choices about their well-being. The Global Gag Rule not only undermines but violates these rights and therefore, IPPF and its members cannot and will not support it. The review is unable to quantify the long term effects of the Global Gag Rule. But those effects are already being felt by people in need of care. IPPF members have already been forced to close clinics, reduce staff and cut back on critical health supplies. This is just the beginning of a long lasting and tragic legacy. The cuts hit services and people in a many ways. Not all of them can be quantified. In many cases, IPPF Members are the one lifeline for our clients. The human cost – people not being able to make choices about their lives – is beyond figures. Combined with loss of USAID family planning funding, the added loss of HIV funding doubles the impact on clients’ lives and health in many countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean where the amounts of the losses are larger and the populations affected are often the most marginalised and vulnerable. Examples of impact: Mozambique www.ippf.org/blogs/global-gag-rule-ggr-cuts-deep-sexual-and-reproductive-healthcare-mozambique IPPF Member Association: Associação Moçambicana para Desenvolvimento da Família (AMODEFA) USAID support accounted for 60% of funding 47% reduction in AMODEFA personnel: redundancy of 43 staff and release of 650 peer educators Closure of 18 youth-friendly clinics Closure of 72 mobile clinics per month Swaziland: IPPF Member Association: Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS) USAID support accounted for 25% of funding Redundancy of 12 staff and 26 outreach workers Reduced geographic coverage of services from 14 to 4 towns Botswana: IPPF Member Association: Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) 60% of funding at risk Suspension of one clinic, services of 7 others scaled to bare minimum 71% reduction in skilled staff About IPPF: IPPF is made up of national organisations that offer sexual and reproductive health and rights services. The Federation has 141 Member Associations and 24 partners covering over 170 countries.This globally connected, locally owned network delivers 300 services every minute of every day. Human cost in figures www.ippf.org/news/human-cost-global-gag-rule Global gag 1 year on www.ippf.org/resource/global-gag-rule-one-year and www.ippf.org/global-gag-rule Country stories: www.ippf.org/stories/i-am-afraid-what-will-happen-when-there-will-be-no-more-projects-one

ABUBEF clinic, Burundi
news_item

| 09 February 2018

IPPF Statement on US State department 6 month GGR review

Global gag rule impact for IPPF is a life or death situation for clients The impact for people receiving care from member associations of the International Planned Parenthood Federation around the world is devastating. A total of 29 countries are seeing clinics, staffing, services and health supplies reduced due to the loss of US funding through the global gag rule. The policy, the most extreme of its kind, will hurt family planning , HIV, sexual and gender based violence and Tuberculosis healthcare for men, women and young people.  IPPF’s members believe reproductive health care is a right and everyone should be able to make choices about their well-being. The Global Gag Rule not only undermines but violates these rights and therefore, IPPF and its members cannot and will not support it. The review is unable to quantify the long term effects of the Global Gag Rule. But those effects are already being felt by people in need of care. IPPF members have already been forced to close clinics, reduce staff and cut back on critical health supplies. This is just the beginning of a long lasting and tragic legacy. The cuts hit services and people in a many ways. Not all of them can be quantified. In many cases, IPPF Members are the one lifeline for our clients. The human cost – people not being able to make choices about their lives – is beyond figures. Combined with loss of USAID family planning funding, the added loss of HIV funding doubles the impact on clients’ lives and health in many countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean where the amounts of the losses are larger and the populations affected are often the most marginalised and vulnerable. Examples of impact: Mozambique www.ippf.org/blogs/global-gag-rule-ggr-cuts-deep-sexual-and-reproductive-healthcare-mozambique IPPF Member Association: Associação Moçambicana para Desenvolvimento da Família (AMODEFA) USAID support accounted for 60% of funding 47% reduction in AMODEFA personnel: redundancy of 43 staff and release of 650 peer educators Closure of 18 youth-friendly clinics Closure of 72 mobile clinics per month Swaziland: IPPF Member Association: Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS) USAID support accounted for 25% of funding Redundancy of 12 staff and 26 outreach workers Reduced geographic coverage of services from 14 to 4 towns Botswana: IPPF Member Association: Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) 60% of funding at risk Suspension of one clinic, services of 7 others scaled to bare minimum 71% reduction in skilled staff About IPPF: IPPF is made up of national organisations that offer sexual and reproductive health and rights services. The Federation has 141 Member Associations and 24 partners covering over 170 countries.This globally connected, locally owned network delivers 300 services every minute of every day. Human cost in figures www.ippf.org/news/human-cost-global-gag-rule Global gag 1 year on www.ippf.org/resource/global-gag-rule-one-year and www.ippf.org/global-gag-rule Country stories: www.ippf.org/stories/i-am-afraid-what-will-happen-when-there-will-be-no-more-projects-one

EWAG 2018
news item

| 01 October 2018

The European Week of Action of Girls is back!

The European Week of Action of Girls (EWAG) is a week-long programme of events and activities, based around the International Day of the Girl Child, on Thursday 11th October. Now in its sixth year EWAG asks the EU to better protect and champion the rights of girls, particularly through its external action. Organised by a coalition of civil society organisations, and supported by the European Institutions and UN Agencies, the 2018 European Week of Action for Girls takes place from 8 – 12 October. The European Week of Action for Girls 2018 will give girls the opportunity to talk to EU decision-makers and help shape a better world for all girls. They will address EU leaders on what needs to be done to overcome the barriers they face and to ensure their rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. This year, EWAG will particularly focus on girls’ right to education, combatting violence, economic empowerment and to participation in decision-making. Background paper. Advocacy paper. Video interview following EWAG. The week in photos.

EWAG 2018
news_item

| 01 October 2018

The European Week of Action of Girls is back!

The European Week of Action of Girls (EWAG) is a week-long programme of events and activities, based around the International Day of the Girl Child, on Thursday 11th October. Now in its sixth year EWAG asks the EU to better protect and champion the rights of girls, particularly through its external action. Organised by a coalition of civil society organisations, and supported by the European Institutions and UN Agencies, the 2018 European Week of Action for Girls takes place from 8 – 12 October. The European Week of Action for Girls 2018 will give girls the opportunity to talk to EU decision-makers and help shape a better world for all girls. They will address EU leaders on what needs to be done to overcome the barriers they face and to ensure their rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. This year, EWAG will particularly focus on girls’ right to education, combatting violence, economic empowerment and to participation in decision-making. Background paper. Advocacy paper. Video interview following EWAG. The week in photos.

All of Us manifesto
news item

| 11 July 2018

Together against the backlash on reproductive rights

IPPF EN is proud to be among more than 100 signatories (mostly Members of the European Parliament) of the All of Us manifesto urging the EU and Member States to ensure reproductive freedom.  All of US is the European Parliament's pro-choice network, mobilizing support for the right to access modern contraception and safe and legal abortion. The manifesto reads as follows:   "The cross-party ALL of US coalition in the European Parliament commits to and urges the EU and Member States to ensure women’s reproductive health and rights, including the right to decide over their own bodies and sexuality, so that women can live freely and enjoy safe reproductive lives. To that end, we call on the EU and Member States to: Firmly denounce and oppose regressive and repressive discourse, laws and policies that undermine gender equality and women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, and strongly condemn retrograde measures that have no place in a democratic 21st century Europe; Invest resources in and prioritize the delivery of far-reaching initiatives to change harmful social norms, to defend women’s dignity and autonomy and to combat all gender-based violence; Provide strong political and financial support to women’s rights groups and human rights defenders, particularly those working in challenging contexts within the EU and across the globe; Proactively support women's rights worldwide and significantly increase EU development funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights in particular for access to family planning and safe and legal abortion without discrimination, with a view to reducing the financing gap left by the United States in this area. We urge the EU Member States to ensure women’s access to safe abortion care, to provide the best possible reproductive health care to all women and to protect all its citizens from coercion and illtreatment. The ALL of US coalition will continue its work in the European Parliament and beyond to mobilise support for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights within and outside the EU and will not be hampered by regressive propaganda."    

All of Us manifesto
news_item

| 11 July 2018

Together against the backlash on reproductive rights

IPPF EN is proud to be among more than 100 signatories (mostly Members of the European Parliament) of the All of Us manifesto urging the EU and Member States to ensure reproductive freedom.  All of US is the European Parliament's pro-choice network, mobilizing support for the right to access modern contraception and safe and legal abortion. The manifesto reads as follows:   "The cross-party ALL of US coalition in the European Parliament commits to and urges the EU and Member States to ensure women’s reproductive health and rights, including the right to decide over their own bodies and sexuality, so that women can live freely and enjoy safe reproductive lives. To that end, we call on the EU and Member States to: Firmly denounce and oppose regressive and repressive discourse, laws and policies that undermine gender equality and women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, and strongly condemn retrograde measures that have no place in a democratic 21st century Europe; Invest resources in and prioritize the delivery of far-reaching initiatives to change harmful social norms, to defend women’s dignity and autonomy and to combat all gender-based violence; Provide strong political and financial support to women’s rights groups and human rights defenders, particularly those working in challenging contexts within the EU and across the globe; Proactively support women's rights worldwide and significantly increase EU development funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights in particular for access to family planning and safe and legal abortion without discrimination, with a view to reducing the financing gap left by the United States in this area. We urge the EU Member States to ensure women’s access to safe abortion care, to provide the best possible reproductive health care to all women and to protect all its citizens from coercion and illtreatment. The ALL of US coalition will continue its work in the European Parliament and beyond to mobilise support for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights within and outside the EU and will not be hampered by regressive propaganda."    

IPPF/Laura Lewis/UK
news item

| 04 May 2018

Call on the EU to reflect gender equality in the next multiannual budget

This week the European Commission released its Communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027) which makes no reference to gender equality. CSOs come together to call on the European Parliament and on Member States to safeguard the promotion and protection of gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights in the further development of the post-2020 EU budget.    Statement follows: "On Wednesday, the European Commission released its Communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027). As the gender and development community we are deeply concerned that gender equality is not addressed as a key political priority. We question to what extent the external relations budget, increased to 10% of the MFF, will serve the primary long-term objective of EU’s development cooperation which remains the eradication of poverty.   The Communication itself makes no reference to gender equality. Its annex makes only two cursory references to gender mainstreaming (including one regarding the new Neighbourhood, International and Development Cooperation Instrument – Heading VI), without giving any more details as to how this should be undertaken under the next MFF. The principles of “prosperity, sustainability and solidarity” should serve as a guide, ensuring that the next MFF is fair and inclusive for all, including women and girls.   If the EU really wants to establish ‘a modern, focused EU budget’, this cannot be done without the sound and comprehensive inclusion of a gender perspective that is key to enable better and more evidence-based decision-making, which in turn contributes to ensuring an effective use of public funds and EU added value in its external action. Notably, a gender responsive budget facilitates the attainment of modern standards of public financial management such as performance orientation, transparency, accountability, and participation.   While acknowledging Europe’s future long-term funding debate comes in at a challenging and complex political environment, the EU also needs to match it with the ambitions and commitments made to achieve all Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring no one is left behind. Since the EU has played a key role in advancing the global agenda for gender equality through various policies and initiatives, it must now operationalize this political leadership to guarantee its new Heading VI has a transformative and positive impact in the lives of women and girls. The new European Consensus on Development, which is acknowledged by the European Commission as a cornerstone of the next MFF when it comes to external action, reiterates this commitment. This will not become a reality without specific targets, investments in all development sectors, the generation of sector-specific, gender-disaggregated data, and an understanding of the complexity of multiple discriminations. Consistent support for gender equality will have a multiplier effect and ensure a sustainable, positive impact of EU actions with partner countries. As it currently stands, gender equality will likely be reduced to a minimum in the implementation of the Neighbourhood, International and Development Cooperation Instrument. We, therefore, call on the European Parliament and the Member States, in the further elaboration of the future EU budget, to safeguard the promotion and protection of gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights. Lifting women and girls out of poverty helps lift whole families, communities and countries out of poverty and is therefore key to ensuring sustainable, inclusive economic growth." Signed by IPPF EN, Care International, World Vision, Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, ONE, Plan International, European Women's Lobby, DSW, WIDE+, European Region World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

IPPF/Laura Lewis/UK
news_item

| 04 May 2018

Call on the EU to reflect gender equality in the next multiannual budget

This week the European Commission released its Communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027) which makes no reference to gender equality. CSOs come together to call on the European Parliament and on Member States to safeguard the promotion and protection of gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights in the further development of the post-2020 EU budget.    Statement follows: "On Wednesday, the European Commission released its Communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027). As the gender and development community we are deeply concerned that gender equality is not addressed as a key political priority. We question to what extent the external relations budget, increased to 10% of the MFF, will serve the primary long-term objective of EU’s development cooperation which remains the eradication of poverty.   The Communication itself makes no reference to gender equality. Its annex makes only two cursory references to gender mainstreaming (including one regarding the new Neighbourhood, International and Development Cooperation Instrument – Heading VI), without giving any more details as to how this should be undertaken under the next MFF. The principles of “prosperity, sustainability and solidarity” should serve as a guide, ensuring that the next MFF is fair and inclusive for all, including women and girls.   If the EU really wants to establish ‘a modern, focused EU budget’, this cannot be done without the sound and comprehensive inclusion of a gender perspective that is key to enable better and more evidence-based decision-making, which in turn contributes to ensuring an effective use of public funds and EU added value in its external action. Notably, a gender responsive budget facilitates the attainment of modern standards of public financial management such as performance orientation, transparency, accountability, and participation.   While acknowledging Europe’s future long-term funding debate comes in at a challenging and complex political environment, the EU also needs to match it with the ambitions and commitments made to achieve all Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring no one is left behind. Since the EU has played a key role in advancing the global agenda for gender equality through various policies and initiatives, it must now operationalize this political leadership to guarantee its new Heading VI has a transformative and positive impact in the lives of women and girls. The new European Consensus on Development, which is acknowledged by the European Commission as a cornerstone of the next MFF when it comes to external action, reiterates this commitment. This will not become a reality without specific targets, investments in all development sectors, the generation of sector-specific, gender-disaggregated data, and an understanding of the complexity of multiple discriminations. Consistent support for gender equality will have a multiplier effect and ensure a sustainable, positive impact of EU actions with partner countries. As it currently stands, gender equality will likely be reduced to a minimum in the implementation of the Neighbourhood, International and Development Cooperation Instrument. We, therefore, call on the European Parliament and the Member States, in the further elaboration of the future EU budget, to safeguard the promotion and protection of gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights. Lifting women and girls out of poverty helps lift whole families, communities and countries out of poverty and is therefore key to ensuring sustainable, inclusive economic growth." Signed by IPPF EN, Care International, World Vision, Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, ONE, Plan International, European Women's Lobby, DSW, WIDE+, European Region World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

ABUBEF clinic, Burundi
news item

| 12 February 2018

IPPF Statement on US State department 6 month GGR review

Global gag rule impact for IPPF is a life or death situation for clients The impact for people receiving care from member associations of the International Planned Parenthood Federation around the world is devastating. A total of 29 countries are seeing clinics, staffing, services and health supplies reduced due to the loss of US funding through the global gag rule. The policy, the most extreme of its kind, will hurt family planning , HIV, sexual and gender based violence and Tuberculosis healthcare for men, women and young people.  IPPF’s members believe reproductive health care is a right and everyone should be able to make choices about their well-being. The Global Gag Rule not only undermines but violates these rights and therefore, IPPF and its members cannot and will not support it. The review is unable to quantify the long term effects of the Global Gag Rule. But those effects are already being felt by people in need of care. IPPF members have already been forced to close clinics, reduce staff and cut back on critical health supplies. This is just the beginning of a long lasting and tragic legacy. The cuts hit services and people in a many ways. Not all of them can be quantified. In many cases, IPPF Members are the one lifeline for our clients. The human cost – people not being able to make choices about their lives – is beyond figures. Combined with loss of USAID family planning funding, the added loss of HIV funding doubles the impact on clients’ lives and health in many countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean where the amounts of the losses are larger and the populations affected are often the most marginalised and vulnerable. Examples of impact: Mozambique www.ippf.org/blogs/global-gag-rule-ggr-cuts-deep-sexual-and-reproductive-healthcare-mozambique IPPF Member Association: Associação Moçambicana para Desenvolvimento da Família (AMODEFA) USAID support accounted for 60% of funding 47% reduction in AMODEFA personnel: redundancy of 43 staff and release of 650 peer educators Closure of 18 youth-friendly clinics Closure of 72 mobile clinics per month Swaziland: IPPF Member Association: Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS) USAID support accounted for 25% of funding Redundancy of 12 staff and 26 outreach workers Reduced geographic coverage of services from 14 to 4 towns Botswana: IPPF Member Association: Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) 60% of funding at risk Suspension of one clinic, services of 7 others scaled to bare minimum 71% reduction in skilled staff About IPPF: IPPF is made up of national organisations that offer sexual and reproductive health and rights services. The Federation has 141 Member Associations and 24 partners covering over 170 countries.This globally connected, locally owned network delivers 300 services every minute of every day. Human cost in figures www.ippf.org/news/human-cost-global-gag-rule Global gag 1 year on www.ippf.org/resource/global-gag-rule-one-year and www.ippf.org/global-gag-rule Country stories: www.ippf.org/stories/i-am-afraid-what-will-happen-when-there-will-be-no-more-projects-one

ABUBEF clinic, Burundi
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| 09 February 2018

IPPF Statement on US State department 6 month GGR review

Global gag rule impact for IPPF is a life or death situation for clients The impact for people receiving care from member associations of the International Planned Parenthood Federation around the world is devastating. A total of 29 countries are seeing clinics, staffing, services and health supplies reduced due to the loss of US funding through the global gag rule. The policy, the most extreme of its kind, will hurt family planning , HIV, sexual and gender based violence and Tuberculosis healthcare for men, women and young people.  IPPF’s members believe reproductive health care is a right and everyone should be able to make choices about their well-being. The Global Gag Rule not only undermines but violates these rights and therefore, IPPF and its members cannot and will not support it. The review is unable to quantify the long term effects of the Global Gag Rule. But those effects are already being felt by people in need of care. IPPF members have already been forced to close clinics, reduce staff and cut back on critical health supplies. This is just the beginning of a long lasting and tragic legacy. The cuts hit services and people in a many ways. Not all of them can be quantified. In many cases, IPPF Members are the one lifeline for our clients. The human cost – people not being able to make choices about their lives – is beyond figures. Combined with loss of USAID family planning funding, the added loss of HIV funding doubles the impact on clients’ lives and health in many countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean where the amounts of the losses are larger and the populations affected are often the most marginalised and vulnerable. Examples of impact: Mozambique www.ippf.org/blogs/global-gag-rule-ggr-cuts-deep-sexual-and-reproductive-healthcare-mozambique IPPF Member Association: Associação Moçambicana para Desenvolvimento da Família (AMODEFA) USAID support accounted for 60% of funding 47% reduction in AMODEFA personnel: redundancy of 43 staff and release of 650 peer educators Closure of 18 youth-friendly clinics Closure of 72 mobile clinics per month Swaziland: IPPF Member Association: Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS) USAID support accounted for 25% of funding Redundancy of 12 staff and 26 outreach workers Reduced geographic coverage of services from 14 to 4 towns Botswana: IPPF Member Association: Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) 60% of funding at risk Suspension of one clinic, services of 7 others scaled to bare minimum 71% reduction in skilled staff About IPPF: IPPF is made up of national organisations that offer sexual and reproductive health and rights services. The Federation has 141 Member Associations and 24 partners covering over 170 countries.This globally connected, locally owned network delivers 300 services every minute of every day. Human cost in figures www.ippf.org/news/human-cost-global-gag-rule Global gag 1 year on www.ippf.org/resource/global-gag-rule-one-year and www.ippf.org/global-gag-rule Country stories: www.ippf.org/stories/i-am-afraid-what-will-happen-when-there-will-be-no-more-projects-one