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How IPPF Member Associations in the Americas and the Caribbean commemorated International Women’s Day.
International Women's Day is one of the most relevant Human Rights mobilizations worldwide. In 2024, it marks over 100 years of marches, strikes, worker stoppages, and silent resistances, all of which continue to emphasize the urgency of ensuring equal conditions for women in society.
This year, the UN invited the international community to reflect on "Investing in women: accelerating progress," to reaffirm that investing in and guaranteeing women's rights, in all their diversity, benefits all people and society as a whole.
To eradicate poverty, transition to clean energy, address hunger and, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality must be a priority for all countries and institutions, whether public or private. And universal access and coverage in health, decent work, quality education, digital inclusion, and the construction of comprehensive and shared care systems are rights that cannot be denied to women and girls.
In IPPF Americas and the Caribbean, our main advocacy on March 8th and every day of the year is to guarantee access to sexual and reproductive health for all people. On this International Women's Day, Member Associations, Collaborative Partners, and Secretariat conducted commemorative activities in their services and shared with communities and groups to advocate for health and rights needs.
Here are some of their actions:
In an unfavorable context following the election of an anti-rights president, Fundheg and allies took to the streets to join a social call against the government's extremist measures that endanger the laws and well-being of its people. Marching among feminist groups was, in this case, a powerful reminder that the Green Tide will strive to ensure the sexual and reproductive rights of all people.
when
region
Americas & the Caribbean
Subject
Gender equality
Llaves Organization brought information on sexual and reproductive rights, contraception, and gender-based violence prevention to the Valle de Sula community. From the Health Fair Painting Solidarity Towards March 8th at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, the Llaves team demonstrated the correct use of condoms, gave out supply kits, organized playful activities to identify and prevent violence, and prepared messages and banners to take to the March 8th mobilization.
Throughout the country, Mexfam conducted a variety of activities. They approached young people through informational modules and workshops on sexual and reproductive rights. In the community of Tlapa, Guerrero, they carried out a Contraception Methods Placement Brigade. And they joined over 100,000 women from across the country to march through the streets of their localities shouting "Together, free, and fearless."
For INPPARES, the work team is part of the community and also a space to influence and make change. On International Women's Day, they conducted an activation at the team's clinic to share the origin of this commemorative date and phrases that inspire change. Also, in coordination with the Youth Center Futuro, their youth initiative, they prepared banners and messages to participate in street mobilizations in the capital.
The Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) hosted an information and distribution booth at the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 rally and march which took place on Friday 8th March at Woodford Square, Port of Spain.
FPATT was represented by Youth Officer Nikoli Edwards, Migrant/Refugee Liaison Anna Mariquez, Case Worker Dera Devenish Frias, and IPPF Youth Representative Samantha Rampersad. Visitors to FPATT’s booth were informed of the services offered at FPATT, received reading materials about various contraceptives and other important health topics, and even walked away with both male and female condoms.
The ACRO Youth Network articulates the activities of local youth networks of Member Associations. Through them, volunteer young people advocate for sexual and reproductive rights, sharing and taking action in local and regional contexts. These are some of the activities they participated in:
From Sucre, Luciana from Colectivo Rebeldía joined feminist mobilizations to take to the streets. Accompanied by thousands, she shared messages of resilience, frustration, demand, and youth activism and for gender equality in her country.
Claudia, from Profamilia, conducted a commemoration process with girls from rural environments and supported Profamilia's articulation with the French Alliance on the role of women in sports.
Alejandra prepared powerful messages from a feminist framework to march representing the youth of CEMOPLAF with her colleagues and friends. On her poster, she shares: "I march for the girl I was. Thanks to her courage, I am here today."
Daniela, with her colleagues from Llaves, took to the streets to raise their voices and demand an end to violence and gender inequality in Honduras. Hand in hand with allies, community members, and friends, they sang slogans and put up posters protesting femicides and impunity.
The call to action continues for gender equality. The stories of IPPF ACRO Member Associations and Collaborative Partners demonstrate the unwavering commitment to empowering women and youth throughout the region. By guaranteeing access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, promoting education, and advocating for the improvement of public policies, these organizations eliminate systemic barriers. Their efforts pave the way for a future where all people, regardless of their gender identity or background, have the resources and opportunities to thrive.
International Women's Day is a powerful reminder, all year round, that achieving lasting change requires recognizing the work of non-governmental organizations and communities. In addition to celebrating achievements, it is an opportunity to commit once again to dismantling structures of inequality. Together, let's continue to build a world where women and girls are free to reach their full potential and contribute to a more just and equitable future.
Help us deliver sexual and reproductive healthcare to those most in need.
