Resources

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) has profound implications for human development and the protection of fundamental rights. Growing evidence highlights that girls and LGBTQIA+ youth are disproportionately affected by dating violence, sexual violence, discrimination, and sexual harassment. In response, multiple school-based intervention programmes have been implemented to promote gender socialisation processes grounded in gender equality. Schools occupy a privileged position and hold considerable transformative potential in the prevention of, and response to, SGBV. This perspective is echoed in key reference documents and legislation both at the EU level and in Portugal.  Nevertheless, the growing influence of conservative and populist movements is being reflected in counter-legislative proposals that undermine institutional and public support for integrating gender perspectives in education. The ideological instrumentalisation of gender equality and sexuality education, including the growing influence of social media in youth socialisation, constitutes one of the principal challenges currently confronting the implementation of gender-transformative programmes within school environments across Europe. In this context, in 2022, IPPF EN initiated a 4-year project to analyse the effect of a gender transformative education programme on young people’s (age 14-15) attitudes regarding gender equality. IPPF's Portuguese Member Association, Associação Para o Planeamento da Família (APF), supported its implementation. The project was made up of 3 phases: a baseline study; an intervention phase focused on testing a gender-transformative programme in schools; and a follow-up phase to assess the long-term effects of the progamme on students’ attitudes and behaviours regarding gender equality and the prevention of SGBV, as well as teachers’ experiences and competencies. Our assessment generated promising findings about the positive impacts of the programme on young people's skills and knowledge to navigate topics related to gender equality, SGBV and sexual diversity, and on their interpersonal relationships and communication, as well as on teachers' ability to support and accompany them.  Download the report to read more about the study and its findings, including our programmatic and policy recommendations. 

In 2023 and 2024, the Government of Georgia initiated several legislative regulations that have raised numerous concerns within society. To this day, no comprehensive justification has been presented regarding the necessity of these changes. Moreover, there has been an insufficient assessment of the potential harm these changes could cause to fundamental human rights, including the right to health. In response, IPPF's Georgian Member, Association HERA XXI, conducted a study in 2024 aimed at assessing the needs and attitudes of women, young people (aged 14–29), and local civil society organizations in the context of the new political and legislative environment. Specifically, the study focused on the following legislative changes: Order No. 75/N of the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, on “Approval of the Procedure for Performing Induced Abortions”, the “Foreign Influence Transparency Act” (commonly referred to as the “Russian Law”) and the “Law of Georgia on the Protection of Family Values and Minors” (commonly referred to as the “Anti-LGBT Law”). These laws not only alter the legal framework but also have a significant impact on people’s everyday lives and fundamental rights. Therefore, the aim of the study is not only to assess the existing level of knowledge or attitudes, but also to identify the direct and indirect effects these laws have on the target groups — including in terms of health, education, social inclusion, and access to services. Download the report below. Photo by Zura Narimanishvili on Unsplash

IPPF EN welcomes the European Commission’s commitment to renew the EU Gender Equality Strategy for the next five years. The future Strategy must build on the achievements of the last five years, and operationalize the ambitious vision set out in the Roadmap and its Annex. Together with civil society partners, IPPF EN has been calling for an ambitious new Gender Equality Strategy. Our input to the consultation on the new Gender Equality Strategy sets out in detail the actions we are calling for to ensure a post-2025 Strategy that continues to combine concrete, targeted measures, with stronger mainstreaming of gender equality across all EU policy areas.  As in the previous Strategy, adopting an intersectional approach as a ‘cross-cutting principle’ will remain essential. But the new Strategy must better acknowledge and adopt dedicated actions to respond to the distinct needs of specific groups of ‘women and girls in all their diversity’. The Strategy should also work more proactively towards dismantling intersecting systems of oppression that marginalise people.  Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are fundamental to gender equality, enabling women and girls to make autonomous choices essential for full societal participation. The EU has both the duty and the legal competence to uphold SRHR as a core part of its Gender Equality Strategy. Women’s rights and SRHR are currently facing unparalleled threats and challenges. At this critical time, it is vital that the EU is unwavering in supporting SRHR and redoubles its commitment to advancing these rights across Member States. The EU must firmly condemn and address any rollbacks or threats to SRHR. Download our consultation input to read our recommendations:  

Against a turbulent global backdrop of continued crisis and conflict, 2024 stood out as a year of political transition in Europe and Central Asia, with national elections held in numerous countries, including European Parliament elections in EU Member States. In many cases, nationalist, right-wing populist and conservative parties gained ground, narrowing political support for sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice (SRHRJ). Across the region, governments restricted civic space, and anti-rights actors continued to target people’s intimate rights and freedoms, with harmful measures being rushed through using opaque and anti-democratic processes in countries including Bulgaria, Georgia and across Central Asia. Meanwhile, polarisation around key issues such as sex work and gender diversity continued to pose challenges to civil society’s ability to unite and advance on SRHRJ in the face of the backlash. Yet amid these challenges, 2024 brought real progress that showed what our movement can achieve through persistence and collaboration across sectors and national boundaries. The EU adopted a landmark Directive on gender-based violence—the first binding EU law in this area. France enshrined the right to abortion in its constitution, sparking similar debates across Europe and prompting the European Parliament to call for including abortion rights in the EU Charter. Belgium built on its full decriminalisation of sex work by introducing new legal and labour protections, while Sweden adopted a long-awaited law on legal gender recognition for trans people. Despite often difficult conditions, our Member Associations (MAs) and Collaborative Partners (CPs) played leading roles in defending SRHRJ, driving positive change, and ensuring care and dignity for all people. Highlights of ENRO’s work in 2024 included mobilising around the EU elections to build support for our vision of an inclusive and intersectional feminist Europe, and accompanying diverse human rights defenders in the development and implementation of innovative approaches to counter anti-rights attacks. We proudly prioritised our allyship with marginalised communities whose rights to health, freedom and safety face the greatest threats, deepening our partnerships with LGBTIQ and sex worker-led organisations. We also supported our MAs and young people as they carried forward their vital work strengthening and implementing transformative approaches to advancing gender equality and preventing gender-based violence. As the funding landscape, globally and in Europe, becomes increasingly difficult, we continued to act as the leading voice holding European donors accountable for their commitment to SRHRJ in their partnerships with the Global South. And we remained steadfast in supporting the resilience and impact of our MAs, CPs and young volunteers, through facilitating grants and resources, offering technical guidance and creating opportunities for our network to come together to learn, share and strategise in these unprecedented times. Looking ahead, we remain focused on building collective power and advancing SRHRJ in the face of growing challenges.

IPPF EN carried out research* via our network of national Member Associations and Collaborative Partners in Europe and Central Asia on access to abortion care in their countries**, with a particular focus on the economic burden that women face. This factsheet is a snapshot of the findings - download it to find out more about the following:   Limited coverage of abortion care in national healthcare systems Failure to cover care even in dramatic and urgent cases Women are facing high direct costs to access care People excluded from health insurance coverage face the greatest burden Indirect costs and unnecessary barriers further limit access Telemedicine and self-management reduce obstacles and boost access You can also read our recommendations to decision-makers.

The European Union (EU) has been championing the promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), which are recognised as a key priority in the EU’s international development policies and instruments. The EU is also one of the main international donors for SRHR in terms of Official Development Assistance (ODA) – despite currently only dedicating a fraction of its ODA budget (less than 2%) to SRHR. And the role of the European Parliament has been pivotal in ensuring that SRHR are embedded in ambitious EU policy frameworks to promote human development, gender equality, human rights. The Parliament has also continuously defended the Union’s ODA budget from proposed cuts and called for budget to be allocated according to sustainable development priorities, rather than short-term political interests. We count on the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to continue championing SRHR in the new parliamentary term! In our new factsheet we explain why it’s important to support SRHR, what are the remaining challenges and what can MEPs do to champion reproductive freedom, safety and dignity in EU external policies. Discover your superpowers!