Minister Gould announces support for sexual and reproductive health and rights

The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, announces $93.7 million in funding toward ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe and every girl and woman is treated with the dignity and respect she deserves. A portion of this funding is part of the commitment announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in June 2019.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health of Adolescents and Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nebiyu (left) and Endegena (right) lead an Education for Health and Well-being session organized by the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE). FGAE offers sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services across the country, including in five zones of the Oromia Region. It has a network of 46 comprehensive SRH service delivery clinics and employs a youth-centered approach, which involves implementing services where adolescents and young people can easily access them, rather than directing clients to particular facilities.

In this viewpoint, potential immediate and longer term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SRH needs and behaviors of AYA are reviewed.

Pandemic Preparedness: Strengthening Family Planning Policies Today to Secure Essential Services for Tomorrow

What does a favorable policy environment for FP/RH program look like? The policies need to be grounded in the premise that all citizens have a right to experience the highest attainable standard of health. They need to ensure that FP/RH policies translate into meaningful actions that support acceptable, accessible, available, and quality FP/RH services, and that the policies include benchmarks to ensure accountability. Such policies can be introduced and/or strengthened now to prepare for the future, to ensure FP/RH programs continue to serve clients during crises.

First-ever virtual training for healthcare professionals on providing life-saving services for women and girls during COVID-19 crisis

African american asisstant discussing flu symptoms with remote physician doctor during online videocall meeting conference working in hospital office. Telemedicine call on computer screen

To ensure that women and girls continue to receive life-saving sexual and reproductive health services during the COVID-19 crisis, UNFPA Bangladesh is conducting its first-ever virtual training on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for health care professionals.

Rwanda to release 50 women jailed for having abortions

Medical Students for Choice (MSFC) leaders from Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania pose for a portrait after the second regional MSFC conference. Medical students and practitioners from ten African countries gathered at the convening, where they learned best practices around contraceptive use and safe abortion.

Activists welcome pardons, but call for relaxation of abortion laws and an end to punitive measures such as life sentences

DKT Liberia innovates its actions to mitigate COVID-19 impact on access to Family Planning

DKT launched an SOS hotline for pregnant women and women who need assistance and identifying maternal health or Family Planning service providers.We rolled out a phone survey to identify healthcare providers willing to remain open and offered special promotions for Family Planning coupled with a phone survey reaching out to DKT potential clients previously recruited in communities.