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Haz click aquí para leer en español. Political Declaration of the Social Forum of Feminist networks, organizations and collectives at the Fifth Regional Conference on Population and Development   Cartagena, Colombia, July 3rd 2024.- From a feminist, human rights, youth, anti-racist, anti-ableism and intersectionality perspective, it is essential to address the diverse and complex realities of all human groups without discrimination. The networks and organizations of feminist, indigenous, Afro- descendant, lesbian, transgender, youth, elderly, disabled, sex workers, women with HIV, all human rights defenders and committed to the fulfilment of the Program of Action of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and all international commitments emanating from it, we are present today to highlight: That the Montevideo Consensus has been a crucial framework for advancing the protection and promotion of human rights in our region. We have seen improvements in access to sexual and reproductive health, inclusive education and political participation of women and other historically marginalized groups. We especially recognize the advances in the legal frameworks that guarantee access to sexual and reproductive rights to transform them into public policies, as in the case of: decriminalization of abortion in some countries in the region, comprehensive sexuality education, gender parity, access to justice and protection in cases of gender-based violence, and budgets earmarked for exceptional cases. However, these advances are insufficient, do not cover historically excluded populations and have been implemented unevenly and slowly during these almost eleven years. In fact, setbacks and threats of loss of rights have been identified in many countries of the region. We are alarmed by the persistent inequality that exacerbates violence and the lack of access to rights. The prevalent conditions of violence against women, young people, adolescents and girls, in all their diversity, as well as against people with disabilities, both in the family and in the institutional sphere, are unacceptable. Download and read the full declaration here:  

The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s Regional Office in the Americas and the Caribbean (IPPF ACRO) congratulates Claudia Sheinbaum, who has made history as the first female president in Mexico. We share our hope that this election represents an opportunity to renew efforts in advancing gender equality and sexual and reproductive rights.  “The cultural shift happening in Mexico that has allowed a woman to be elected as president cannot go unnoticed,” said Eugenia López Uribe, IPPF ACRO Regional Director. “Indeed, it is not only a historic moment for Mexico, but for the region, an opportunity to face the anti-rights movements positioned in the highest government levels, and to react to them with human rights- based polices, programs and services.”  In the past few years, Mexico has, on several occasions, proven its commitment to be a secular state that respects reproductive and sexual autonomy. In 2022, the Mexican Supreme Court declared abortion criminalization to be unconstitutional. The Court mandated every state must take steps to guarantee access to safe abortion, and 20 of the 32 states adopted reforms that recognize and protect transgender people when they wish to officially change their gender marker on identity documents. Both are examples of significant progress towards sexual and reproductive justice, which has allowed public institutions and civil society organizations, including the Mexican Family Planning Foundation, Mexfam, to provide sexual and reproductive health access to underserved communities around the country.  Mexican women and girls in all their diversity, LGBTQI+ folks, sex workers, people living with HIV, youth, displaced people, people living in poverty, and those in more vulnerable situations need not only progress in law making processes, but efficient public policies to guarantee they have real access to such rights. In this historical moment, IPPF ACRO urges the newly elected government to continue building a human rights-based structure that will eliminate social and legal barriers hindering access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. This includes essential services such as gender-based violence prevention, abortion care, fertility care, HIV and STI treatment, and gender-affirming care. Particular attention must be given to those who, due to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, geography, education, or financial situation, have been systematically left behind.  “There has been considerable progress made towards advancing sexual and reproductive rights in the last years,” stated Eugenia López Uribe, who is Mexican herself. “Our hope is that president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum together with the more than 20,000 public officials elected on June 2 will join us to further guaranteeing adequate financing to guarantee the right to high-quality services related to sexuality and reproduction, to the 127.5 million people living in Mexico.” 

The International Planned Parenthood Federation Americas and the Caribbean proudly welcome two New Member Associations in Guadeloupe and Bolivia!  Association Guadeloupéenne pour le Planning Familial (AGPF) and Colectivo Rebeldía join the IPPF family, which spans 30 countries across the Americas and Caribbean region and over 120 countries around the world, Together we stand united in the fight for Reproductive Justice for ALL.  Formed in 1965, today the Association Guadeloupéenne pour le Planning Familial (AGPF), also known as La Maternite Consciente, oversees maternal and child welfare, and manages immunization, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS programmes. It also monitors other work and needs related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). It operates 5 clinics, which provide contraceptive services, emergency contraception, pregnancy tests, pap smears, STI screening and pre- and post-abortion counselling. AGPF also delivers outreach educational services on contraception and SRH in Creole, to promote the use of clinical services, particularly among migrants from neighbouring islands such as Dominca, Haiti and St.Lucia, who frequently wish to use SRH services but are unable to pay. The organization has been an affiliate member of IPPF through The Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (CFPA) for many years, and became a full Member Association in November 2022. Colectivo Rebeldía began its activities in March 1995. A group of feminist women articulated to, from our rebellions, influence and broaden the impact of the dreams of dignity and full life for women. Their mission - from critical and purposeful rebellion, recreates feminisms through sexual freedoms, knowledge, dialogues and knowledge together with empowered women and organizations, transforming society, the economy and politics to live well. As they celebrate their second decade, Colectivo Rebeldía remain a powerful front for the women's and feminist movement at a local and national level in Bolivia. And a consistent institution in its fight for the exercise of women's rights and social justice. Colectivo became a Member Association of IPPF in November 2022.  

On the US Supreme Court's draft opinion on Roe v Wade, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General for IPPF, said: "If the reports are true, then the highest court in the land has reached its lowest point. If they continue down the road of overturning Roe v Wade, they will rob millions of people of their liberty, bodily autonomy, and their freedom – the very values the United States prides itself on. "This decision will also embolden other Conservative extremist movements around the world, looking to deny women their reproductive freedom. Make no mistake, this ruling will cost millions of lives for years to come. "The Supreme Court still has time to do the right thing and uphold Roe v Wade. IPPF will do all it can to ensure people can safely end their pregnancy."  For media enquiries, please contact Karmen Ivey on [email protected] or [email protected]  About the International Planned Parenthood Federation The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.   For over 65 years, IPPF through its 118 Member Associations and 15 partners, has delivered high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare and helped advance sexual rights, especially for people with intersectional and diverse needs that are currently unmet. Our Member Associations and partners are independent organizations that are locally owned, which means the support and care they provide is informed by local expertise and context. We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity – no matter what. Main image: Abortion rights protest in Washington DC, US – Photo by Manny Becerra on Unsplash

We are overjoyed to announce the opening of the first of two locations of the International Planned Parenthood Federation -  Americas and the Caribbean Regional Office (ACRO), in Bogota, Colombia. IPPF Director-General Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF ACRO's Regional Director Eugenia López Uribe, Deputy Regional Director Dona Da Costa Martinez, and IPPF Director of External Relations Mina Barling were joined by team members from the ACRO and London Offices to reinforce the commitment to the fight for rights and access to sexual and reproductive services in the region. This is an especially exciting time as Colombia stands as the latest champion to step forward to protect the bodily autonomy of everyone with the possibility of gestation, with a recent Constitutional Court victory legalizing access to abortion until 24 weeks. The new IPPF Americas and the Caribbean Regional Office serves Member Associations and Collaborative Partners in over 24 countries across the region, and which are growing in their movement building and service delivery capabilities, including comprehensive sex education, provision of contraceptive, safe abortion, and maternal care and responding to humanitarian crisis. IPPF pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and crucially no matter how remote. Volunteerism is central to our healthcare delivery. It underpins the vital work of our members and their teams, whether through community outreach and distribution of contraceptive care or the regional Youth Action Movements championing change.  

In a groundbreaking decision on the 21st of Feburay 2022, Colombia's Constitutional Court decriminalized abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. IPPF Americas and The Caribbean (ACRO) stands with Member Association Profamilia as we celebrate this historic decision and recognize the fight of the feminist movement in Colombia for this achievement! In a statement to the Guardian Newspaper Eugenia Lopez Uribe, Regional Director for IPPF ACRO reminded us “While today we are celebrating this historic decision, the Green Wave is strong and growing, and the fight for reproductive rights and justice will not end until every person can access high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare when and where they need it. From now on a combined system for accessing abortion is considered:  1)Free and legal until 24 weeks of gestation, after this time: 2) the 3 causals (C-355/06) and are as follows: When the pregnancy represents a risk to the physical or mental health of the woman or person with the possibility of gestation. When it is product of sexual violence.  And for fetal malformations incompatible with life.