Latest press releases
A selection of stories from across the Federation
India
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Position Statement on the Indian Supreme Court’s Verdict on Same-Sex Marriage
We have meticulously followed the Indian Supreme Court’s verdict on legally recognizing same-sex marriages. We must express our profound disappointment at the missed opportunity.
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| 07 March 2026
Advancing Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls in Bhutan: International Women’s Day 2026
Bhutan: International Women’s Day 2026 will be observed in Haa Dzongkhag under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”, as part of a high-level advocacy initiative led by Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck to promote gender equality, strengthen access to justice, and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Bhutan. The event will be coordinated by RENEW, IPPF’s Associate Member in Bhutan, in partnership with the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNFPA. For more than 27 years, Her Majesty has led nationwide advocacy efforts addressing issues such as safe motherhood, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and the prevention of gender-based violence. These efforts have contributed to important progress in Bhutan’s approach to sexual and reproductive health and gender equality. Bhutan has also made notable advancements in maternal and child health and in strengthening the legal and policy environment supporting women and girls. However, challenges remain. According to Bhutan’s National Health Survey 2023, 25% of partnered women in Bhutan have experienced one or more forms of violence, while 44% of women and girls agree that a husband may be justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances. These findings highlight the urgent need to address harmful social norms and strengthen systems that protect women and girls. RENEW is dedicated to the empowerment of women and children in Bhutan and to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with particular attention to survivors of domestic violence and sexual and gender-based violence. Over the years, RENEW has evolved from its founding focus on addressing sexual and gender-based violence into an organization that serves women in all their diversity, including those often left behind. As part of this broader commitment, RENEW is also intensifying efforts to address the need for stronger support systems and services to prevent unintended teenage pregnancies in Bhutan. This includes strengthening comprehensive sexuality education, expanding access to adolescent and youth-friendly services, and engaging communities to support informed decision-making among young people. Together, these efforts aim to ensure that young people—especially girls and young women—have access to accurate information, adequate support, and essential health services, enabling them to make informed choices and lead healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives.
media_center
| 07 March 2026
Advancing Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls in Bhutan: International Women’s Day 2026
Bhutan: International Women’s Day 2026 will be observed in Haa Dzongkhag under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”, as part of a high-level advocacy initiative led by Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck to promote gender equality, strengthen access to justice, and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Bhutan. The event will be coordinated by RENEW, IPPF’s Associate Member in Bhutan, in partnership with the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNFPA. For more than 27 years, Her Majesty has led nationwide advocacy efforts addressing issues such as safe motherhood, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and the prevention of gender-based violence. These efforts have contributed to important progress in Bhutan’s approach to sexual and reproductive health and gender equality. Bhutan has also made notable advancements in maternal and child health and in strengthening the legal and policy environment supporting women and girls. However, challenges remain. According to Bhutan’s National Health Survey 2023, 25% of partnered women in Bhutan have experienced one or more forms of violence, while 44% of women and girls agree that a husband may be justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances. These findings highlight the urgent need to address harmful social norms and strengthen systems that protect women and girls. RENEW is dedicated to the empowerment of women and children in Bhutan and to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with particular attention to survivors of domestic violence and sexual and gender-based violence. Over the years, RENEW has evolved from its founding focus on addressing sexual and gender-based violence into an organization that serves women in all their diversity, including those often left behind. As part of this broader commitment, RENEW is also intensifying efforts to address the need for stronger support systems and services to prevent unintended teenage pregnancies in Bhutan. This includes strengthening comprehensive sexuality education, expanding access to adolescent and youth-friendly services, and engaging communities to support informed decision-making among young people. Together, these efforts aim to ensure that young people—especially girls and young women—have access to accurate information, adequate support, and essential health services, enabling them to make informed choices and lead healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives.
media center
| 07 March 2026
Advancing Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls in Bhutan: International Women’s Day 2026
Bhutan: International Women’s Day 2026 will be observed in Haa Dzongkhag under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”, as part of a high-level advocacy initiative led by Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck to promote gender equality, strengthen access to justice, and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Bhutan. The event will be coordinated by RENEW, IPPF’s Associate Member in Bhutan, in partnership with the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNFPA. For more than 27 years, Her Majesty has led nationwide advocacy efforts addressing issues such as safe motherhood, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and the prevention of gender-based violence. These efforts have contributed to important progress in Bhutan’s approach to sexual and reproductive health and gender equality. Bhutan has also made notable advancements in maternal and child health and in strengthening the legal and policy environment supporting women and girls. However, challenges remain. According to Bhutan’s National Health Survey 2023, 25% of partnered women in Bhutan have experienced one or more forms of violence, while 44% of women and girls agree that a husband may be justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances. These findings highlight the urgent need to address harmful social norms and strengthen systems that protect women and girls. RENEW is dedicated to the empowerment of women and children in Bhutan and to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with particular attention to survivors of domestic violence and sexual and gender-based violence. Over the years, RENEW has evolved from its founding focus on addressing sexual and gender-based violence into an organization that serves women in all their diversity, including those often left behind. As part of this broader commitment, RENEW is also intensifying efforts to address the need for stronger support systems and services to prevent unintended teenage pregnancies in Bhutan. This includes strengthening comprehensive sexuality education, expanding access to adolescent and youth-friendly services, and engaging communities to support informed decision-making among young people. Together, these efforts aim to ensure that young people—especially girls and young women—have access to accurate information, adequate support, and essential health services, enabling them to make informed choices and lead healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives.
media_center
| 07 March 2026
Advancing Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls in Bhutan: International Women’s Day 2026
Bhutan: International Women’s Day 2026 will be observed in Haa Dzongkhag under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”, as part of a high-level advocacy initiative led by Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck to promote gender equality, strengthen access to justice, and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Bhutan. The event will be coordinated by RENEW, IPPF’s Associate Member in Bhutan, in partnership with the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNFPA. For more than 27 years, Her Majesty has led nationwide advocacy efforts addressing issues such as safe motherhood, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and the prevention of gender-based violence. These efforts have contributed to important progress in Bhutan’s approach to sexual and reproductive health and gender equality. Bhutan has also made notable advancements in maternal and child health and in strengthening the legal and policy environment supporting women and girls. However, challenges remain. According to Bhutan’s National Health Survey 2023, 25% of partnered women in Bhutan have experienced one or more forms of violence, while 44% of women and girls agree that a husband may be justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances. These findings highlight the urgent need to address harmful social norms and strengthen systems that protect women and girls. RENEW is dedicated to the empowerment of women and children in Bhutan and to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with particular attention to survivors of domestic violence and sexual and gender-based violence. Over the years, RENEW has evolved from its founding focus on addressing sexual and gender-based violence into an organization that serves women in all their diversity, including those often left behind. As part of this broader commitment, RENEW is also intensifying efforts to address the need for stronger support systems and services to prevent unintended teenage pregnancies in Bhutan. This includes strengthening comprehensive sexuality education, expanding access to adolescent and youth-friendly services, and engaging communities to support informed decision-making among young people. Together, these efforts aim to ensure that young people—especially girls and young women—have access to accurate information, adequate support, and essential health services, enabling them to make informed choices and lead healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives.
