Nairobi, 12 August 2020 -Today, the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) joins the rest of the world in marking the International Youth Day under the theme ‘Youth Engagement for Global Action’. As an organization that places youth at the core of its activities, we take great pride in acknowledging the invaluable contribution of young people to the growth and development of the African continent. The powerful voices of young people in Africa’s political, economic, social and development spaces continue to positively influence the continent’s progress, more so towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the flagship African Union Agenda 2063. While young people face a myriad of challenges in their quest to grow and thrive, IPPFAR, through its Member Associations (MAs), constantly seeks ways to create new opportunities and enabling environments that allow them to prosper. We strive to ensure that young people have access to quality sexual reproductive health information (SRH) and services through youth-friendly centers in the Member Association clinics across the continent. Early this year, 10 members of the Youth Action Movement (YAM) successfully advocated for the abolition of fees that hindered young people’s access to sexually transmitted Infection (STI), HIV and contraceptive services in the district of Banikoara, North of Benin in West Africa. As a result, a significant number of teenage pregnancies, STIs (including HIV) have been and continue to be prevented. Consequently, more adolescents and youth are likely to stay longer in school, be empowered for a brighter future and contribute to the creation of resilient communities and gender equality in that region. Through the Youth Action Movement (YAM), a youth arm of IPPFAR’s volunteer body, we have built the capacity of young people in leadership. YAM members are now instrumental in formulating policies and participating in governance processes in the region, and are involved in key decision-making, advocacy and other engagement processes right from the grassroots level to the global level. It is imperative that the youth have equal voices as representatives in boards of their respective Member Associations, and in other governance structures where their potential can be realized. In our quest to ensure that no young person is left behind, we value their input as fundamental to our work. In these unprecedented times of COVID-19 for example, the youth have been involved in designing programmes that aim to fill the gaps created by the pandemic. Among such classic innovations is the development of mobile applications (apps) and their use of other digital platforms and technologies that offer SRHR information and services. On this day, we celebrate Africa’s youth and reiterate our commitment to advancing their growth and development. We therefore further call on governments and stakeholders to embrace youth development and provide opportunities for growth to ensure Africa harnesses the demographic dividend of its youth.   Media Contacts: -Maryanne Wanyama, Communications Officer, IPPFARO, Nairobi (Kenya) - Email: [email protected] -Sam Ntelamo, Resident Representative, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Liaison Office to the African Union & UNECA, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) – Phone: +251 (11) 667 0699/0761 - Mobile +251 (0) 944 73 2051- Email: [email protected]

The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) congratulates the Gabonese Republic on its recent removal of article 402 (5) in the penal code, which criminalized homosexuality. On 29 June 2020, Gabon’s Senate voted to repeal the country's sodomy law. The vote stood at 59 in favour of repeal, and 17 against. This followed the National Assembly’s vote of 23 June 2020 which saw 48 MPs vote in favour, 24 against, and 25 abstentions. It is now up to the Head of State to promulgate the text. IPPFAR celebrates this significant win with the Gabonese lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community and activists, including human rights organisations -all of whom have worked tirelessly towards this achievement. IPPFAR is one of the leading organisations at the forefront of advocating for the respect of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. We strongly believe that no law should criminalize a person’s sexuality, and that no one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. IPPFAR hopes that this recent development in Gabon will inspire other African countries to take a similar approach -that of protecting and upholding the rights of every individual. IPPFAR reiterates its commitment to supporting and working with governments, organizations and individuals in the advancement of sexual reproductive health and rights for all. For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Today, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Africa Regional Office and its member associations joins the Pan African’s Woman Organization (PAWO) in celebrating the Pan-African Women’s Day. On this day, we recognize PAWO’s dedicated efforts in enhancing the lives of girls and women across the African continent. For over five decades, PAWO and its development partners have spearheaded various programmes and initiatives that have empowered thousands of African women, socially and politically. Indeed, these efforts have yielded positive results, as evidenced through notable positive changes in the status of African women as most, hold powerful leadership positions in different spaces. There is so much to celebrate; in politics, African women have demonstrated true leadership and have ably led successful democracies, literacy levels have increased significantly, and so have their economic statuses, where many run successful businesses or are employed. They continue to defy all odds by breaking various social, cultural, economic and political barriers to thrive in different fields. However, it is not enough, for women today are still under-represented in many areas. Many African women remain disadvantaged, underscoring the need for unity by actors in both the public and private sectors to be relentless in ensuring that women have an equal seat at the table. A lot more still needs to be done. IPPF Africa Region has been at the forefront of championing women’s rights – more so in reproductive health, with various women-centered and empowerment programs implemented in our Member Associations across the continent. The success of our work has been greatly enhanced through close collaboration and partnerships with different governments and organizations at the international, regional, national and local levels. The African Union and its partners, such as PAWO, continue to be some of our invaluable development allies. On this day, we congratulate PAWO on its 58th anniversary, and celebrate the work it continues to do in empowering African women. We reiterate our commitment to PAWO’s efforts in championing the women’s development agenda in the continent, and pledge our highest assurance of support to the organization.   Featured image: IPPF/Xaume Olleros/Senegal Media Contacts: -Maryanne Wanyama, Communications Officer, IPPFARO, Nairobi (Kenya) - Email: [email protected] -Sam Ntelamo, Resident Representative, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Liaison Office to the African Union & UNECA, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) – Phone: +251 (11) 667 0699/0761 - Mobile +251 (0) 944 73 2051- Email: [email protected]

Nairobi, 11 July 2020 - As we celebrate the World Population Day today, we are cognizant of the fact that it has come at a very difficult time. The world is coping with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as is the case with most calamities, the poor and marginalized have been hardest hit. In response, governments have put in place various measures to contain the spread of the virus and while these have yielded some measure of positive results, they have also increased the vulnerability of some populations, such as women and girls. For example, the closure of schools has seen adolescent and teenage girls exposed to early child marriage, female genital mutilation, trafficking, child labor and other forms of exploitation. Staying home has also limited their access to comprehensive sexuality education, which has potential to contribute to teen pregnancies. Their exposure to sexual and gender-based violence during this time is imminent. Women largely depend on the informal economy for their livelihoods, but with the pandemic severely affecting their movement and their small businesses, they have been left economically exposed. Weak and overstretched health systems have seen governments divert most of their resources to mitigating the challenges of COVID-19. This has caused disruption of services in health facilities and affected the supply of commodities such as contraceptives and HIV drugs. Lockdowns and curfews have further aggravated the situation by limiting populations’ access to hospitals. Women can no longer easily visit their regular healthcare providers for their family planning needs. This could lead to unplanned pregnancies which may result increased cases of unsafe abortion. It has also become increasingly difficult for pregnant women to access antenatal, delivery and post-natal care services, putting them at greater risk for negative birth outcomes. As the world commemorates this important day, we implore governments and other stakeholders to recognize the gender dynamics during pandemics such as COVID-19, and work towards ensuring that women and girls have unhindered access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. Media Contacts: -Maryanne Wanyama, Communications Officer, IPPFARO, Nairobi (Kenya) – Email: [email protected] -Sam Ntelamo, Resident Representative, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Liaison Office to the African Union & UNECA, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) – Phone: +251 (11) 667 0699/0761 - Mobile +251 (0) 944 73 2051- Email: [email protected]

Young people in the Africa region, including programs targeting the promotion of their sexual reproductive health and well-being have been severely affected by COVID-19. Despite the challenges, Youth Action Movement (YAM) members continue to find innovative ways to ensure that as many young people as possible still have access sexual reproductive health information and services. YAM members have been at the forefront in finding solutions to the different SRHR challenges they have been facing during the pandemic, and have been closely liaising with their respective Member Associations regarding this. While they are doing their best, additional support will enable them do even more. IPPF is currently undergoing reforms to improve on its operations and effectiveness, including its governance structures. While some YAM representatives participated in last year’s General Assemble meeting in Delhi, those elected within the last six months may lack clear information about the reforms process and the need for it. To address this pertinent issue, the IPPF Africa Regional Office is organizing a virtual meeting between the Youth Action Movement National representatives and the Regional Director. The virtual meeting will be held on 3 July 2020, from 1100hrs -1300hrs GMT (1400hrs-1600hrs EAT). The objectives for this meeting include: To broaden the understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the youth volunteers and their activities To discuss and agree on support required to ensure continuity of youth activities Share updates on the IPPF governance reforms and the role of young people in the current reform process at the National and Regional level. Follow this conversation using the Hashtag #YAMDialogRD For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

By Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry  The Africa Regional Office of the International Planned Parenthood Federation joins millions of Africans in commemorating the founding of the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) which is now known as the African Union (AU). The AU theme for this year is timely 'Silencing the guns: creating conducive conditions for Africa's development' – this resonates well with our call for a peaceful Africa, where women and girls sexual and reproductive health and rights needs should be protected, with access to services improved. Globally, 60% of preventable maternal deaths take place in settings of conflict, political unrest, fragility, displacement and natural disasters. In humanitarian and conflict settings,  women, girls and other marginalized communities face increased risk to sexual and gender based violence, unintended pregnancy, and unsafe abortion, STI including HIV. In crisis and conflict affected settings in Africa, IPPF Member Associations are among the first responders in the frontlines, providing integrated and lifesaving SGBV services, reaching out to tens of thousands of women and girls who are subjected to sexual assault in these complex emergencies. As we celebrate the Africa Day, in this situation compounded with the unprecedented threat of COVID 19 pandemic which has had a devastating impact globally, we urge African Governments and other stakeholders to double their efforts and integrate SRHR in the COVID 19 response – particularly addressing the unmet needs of girls and women in complex emergency settings. Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry is the Regional Director, IPPF Africa Region. Also Read: Protecting the Rights of Women and Girls During the COVID-19 Pandemic For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.