News

Haz click aquí para leer esta entrada en español. ACRO Youth Network participated in the Workshop Planning and Advocacy facilitated by FP2030 Latin America and the Caribbean Hub    Ela Urquijo, ACRO Youth Networker and Nikoli Edwards, Youth Officer at the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago attended FP2030 LAC Hub's Planning and Advocacy Workshop where they explored and learnt about sexual and reproductive rights from different perspectives and sectors.  IPPF ACRO Youth Network is the network of young volunteers that engage together to fight for sexual and reproductive rights in the Americas and the Caribbean. Each member of the IPPF ACRO Youth Network is also part of IPPF’s Member Association in their country. Join them in their activism for SRHR here.  FP2030 is a global alliance to empower women, young women, adolescents, and girls through the mobilization of family planning policies, investments and actions based on the sexual and reproductive rights policies, investments and actions. The Latin America and the Caribbean Hub is hosted by Profamilia Colombia and Save the Children.     Collaborative Partner in Argentina joins thousands in standing up for free and accessible education    Fundheg, Collaborative Partner in Argentina, joined the public marches in support of the Public Universities in their country. They raised their voices against the economic and financial adjustments proposed by the national government, which endanger the right of young people to have access to public higher education of excellence, without fees and with free admission.  These financial adjustments are part of a series of decrees and changes proposed by the Federal Government which intend to hinder the advancement of human rights in the country.     IPPF ACRO participates in the VII Latin America and the Caribbean Countries Forum on Sustainable Development    IPPF ACRO participated in the Latin America and the Caribbean Countries Forum and co-hosted the event “Climate Change and Health: the double challenge of our time” where Eugenia López Uribe, Regional Director of IPPF Americas and the Caribbean stressed the linkages between Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Climate Change.    The effects of the climate crisis become barriers to people's access to sexual and reproductive health services, such as contraception, access to safe abortion, and pregnancy care, to name a few. Together with Gestos, Collaborative Partner in Brazil, UNAIDS, the CSO Working Group on 2030 Agenda and Fiocruz Foundation, IPPF ACRO positioned SRHR as vital to address climate change.    Saint Vincent Planned Parenthood Association hosts fundraising event for children   In efforts to support children who face challenges in accessing school supplies and essentials such as stationary, backpacks, hygiene kits and uniforms the St Vincent Planned Parenthood Association hosted a fundraising BBQ. SVPPA recognizes that education is the cornerstone of a bright future and launched this heartfelt fundraising to support children struggling with education supplies.     If you want to receive SRHR news directly from the ground to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter "Rising the Tide"!

By Eugenia López Uribe Regional Director of IPPF ACRO   The recent decision by the High Court of St Vincent and the Grenadines to uphold the criminalisation of consensual same-sex activity is deeply regressive and unacceptable.  Despite global progress towards LGBTQI+ ‘s rights, this decision aims to perpetuate colonial-era laws and asan organization committed to equality and the access to healthcare for all, IPPF ACRO stands with Javin Johnson and Sean Macleish, the two gay men who demanded a change in the law in their country, so they can live free from discrimination, prejudice and enjoy  the same rights as all citizens.  By supporting Johnson and Macleish, we also support all  LGTBQ+ community in in St Vincent and the Grenadines. They should not continue to be let down, it is their government obligation to guarantee their right to live healthy lives, free from any stigma, prejudice and violence Besides, it is concerning to witness setbacks on other continents and IPPF is also taking action about the recent decision by Ghana's parliament to intensify the crackdown on the rights of LGBTQ+ people by imposing a prison sentence of up to five years for the "wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities". Both recent decisions indicate  the continued pressure from fundamentalist groups seeking to regress and perpetuate colonial and backward views on gender and sexual diversity. However,  from our side, we will continue to work tirelessly around the world to stop these regressive laws and to defend the rights of LGTBQ+ communities.  These decisions affect the lives of millions of people who are once again at the center of violence supported by governments that should not be criminalizing them for being who they are, for loving who they love. We all have equal sexual and reproductive rights. Let us be clear: we will intensify our efforts against those regressive laws. And we know we will succeed.