Contact: Laura Zaks, 212.214.0287/347.563.6408/lzaks@ippfwhr.org

Haiti Disaster: IPPF Provides Urgent Health Response

The Minister of International Cooperation, Beverley Oda, unveiled the new Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Children and Youth Strategy on Nov. 20, 2009. It aims to increase child survival —including maternal health— to improve the quality of education and ensure the safety and security of children and youth. In the Americas where maternal mortality rates are stagnating and
teenage pregnancy is on the rise, this goal cannot be accomplished without renewed attention to sexual and reproductive health.

WASHINGTON, September 28, 2009 – The International Planned Parenthood/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR) hosted its 28th annual awards and cocktail reception here this past weekend at the Embassy of Colombia.

The occasion honored the achievements of IPPF Member Associations, individuals and institutions who have raised public awareness and contributed to the advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world.

Contact:
Laura Zaks, IPPF/WHR
Tel. (212) 214-0287
Email: lzaks@ippfwhr.org
 

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION FOR NEW UN WOMEN’S AGENCY

To the Family of George Tiller, M.D.
September 25, 2009

The IPPF has a statement entitled “What We Believe”. It reads:

“We believe that sexual and reproductive rights should be internationally recognized as human rights and therefore guaranteed for everyone. We encourage individuals, women in particular, to take control of their reproductive lives. We promote equality between men and women, aiming to eliminate gender biases, especially those that threaten the wellbeing of women and girls. Above all, we promote choices.”

I applaud Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn for their remarkable work of highlighting the enormous multiplier effect that the empowerment of women has on families and entire communities. Their efforts have brought to life the dynamic stories of so many girls and women in developing countries who have overcome unthinkable hardship. Yet I was struck by the lack of attention paid to Latin America and the Caribbean in “The Women’s Crusade.” Latin America and the Caribbean is a region of extreme contrasts.

In many parts of the world women and girls are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly poor women in marginalized communities. Discrimination, poverty, and marginalization are drivers of the HIV epidemic as much as the specific social behaviors that typically lead to infection.

IRIN examines how a "dramatic plunge" in international donor funding for family planning could undermine other health- and humanitarian-related goals, including fighting poverty and hunger. About 200 million women do not have access to contraception, which could cause a surge in the world's population leading to a reversal of humanitarian gains, according to some experts.

To the Editor:

Re “Would You Let This Girl Drown?” (column, July 9)

I wholeheartedly agree with Nicholas D. Kristof that we should focus on successes when seeking support for humanitarian causes.

BUENOS AIRES, Jun 10 (IPS) - In an effort to promote the free enjoyment of human sexuality, separate from reproduction, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) launched the world's first declaration of sexual rights in the Argentine capital on Wednesday.

"We want states to commit themselves to protecting these rights, and for the United Nations to adopt them in future meetings," Carmen Barroso, IPPF regional director for the Western hemisphere, told IPS.