The Youth & Regional Forum for the IPPF South Asia Region, titled "One Voice for Choice," will take place from November 7 to November 9 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Representatives and leaders from the eight member countries, along with secretariat staff, will gather to evaluate the progress made in fulfilling the commitments outlined in Strategy 2023-28 - Come Together. This forum also aims to strengthen our unified stance against the growing opposition and restrictions on bodily autonomy and the realization of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the region. Stay tuned for updates from the forum!

Evidence indicates that an estimated 163 million women worldwide face unmet needs for contraception, with the highest proportion of this occurring among women in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. To address this pressing issue, it is imperative to prioritize the inclusion of a comprehensive range of contraceptive methods that cater to the diverse needs of women across various age groups. By ensuring a wide array of contraceptive options, we can significantly reduce the prevalence of unsatisfied demand and unmet needs among women globally. In a promising development, India recently announced the integration of contraceptive implants into its public health system, which was previously inaccessible and posed significant affordability challenges for Indian women. Monitoring data from clinics associated with the Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN, a member association of IPPF South Asia Region) indicates that a considerable number of Indian women, primarily from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, cross the border seeking contraceptive implant services in Nepal’s Terai Region. However, beyond mere statistics, little is known about their experiences. Consequently, it is crucial to generate evidence by conducting an in-depth exploration of their cross-border journeys. To address this need, IPPF-South Asia Region and FPAN have collaboratively undertaken a cross-sectional exploratory multi-centric study adopting mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Download the document to read the full study.

IPPF delivered a total of 226.9 million sexual and reproductive health services, including 5 million safe abortion services, an increase of 11% from 2021. IPPF Member Associations served more vulnerable people in humanitarian settings than ever before: a total of 10 million in 2022. Across the globe, IPPF MAs are fighting back, challenging unjust laws and policies, and spreading our powerful messages. We have won major victories. In Colombia, the Latin American Green Wave of abortion rights successes continued as the country’s highest court decriminalized abortion. Globally, IPPF achieved 150 advocacy wins in 2022 to support or defend sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality in policy or legislation, 24% more than in 2021. Read more by downloading the 2022 IPPF Annual Performance Report below. 

The South Asia region is witnessing winds of change. Growing efforts are culminating in ending prejudice and empowering all citizens. The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) South Asia Regional Office is working closely with its Member Associations to script powerful breakthroughs that exemplify the protection and advancement of rights for people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) people, and others who do not conform to the sexual and gender norms of society. As a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all, IPPF works with and for communities and individuals across countries. Its consistent efforts have advanced abortion rights; increased public support for sexuality education; countered the rolling back of SRHR in law and policy; and fought stereotypes linked to gender-based violence, amongst others. The invisible nature of LGBTI+ narratives and overall misinformation surrounding people of diverse SOGIESC has necessitated the urgency to find more structured, relevant, and long-lasting mechanisms. IPPF South Asia Regional Office published a Situation Assessment in 2021 covering its Member Associations and Regional team. Findings shed light on key contextual and structural challenges to adopting more diverse SOGIESC-inclusive approaches. This included a mapping of restrictive legal and socio-cultural environments that rendered it challenging to advocate with state actors for rights of people with diverse SOGIESC. In mid-2021, each Member Association in the South Asia Region was requested to organize focus group discussions with select members of the community. India, Nepal and Sri Lanka shared their initiatives which were being supported by the Movement Accelerator Platform, Global Affairs Canada, and others. These initiatives are now paving the way for a more equitable and balanced environment where equal opportunities exist and can be accessed. Read about these initiatives in this booklet.

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