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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.