 Dear colleagues, In the past two months, we have seen a transformation in the family planning community. As the impact of COVID-19 rippled around the world, we saw how quickly the response to the pandemic could shut down access to family planning services. We know from prior experience with outbreaks like Ebola that critical health services will be disrupted, and it will hit the most vulnerable communities especially hard. We were proud to see the myriad of ways this global family planning partnership responded immediately, working with government, international, private sector, and civil society partners to create innovative solutions aimed at ensuring that women and girls continue to receive family planning care. When the FP2020 Reference Group met by teleconference in March, the COVID-19 pandemic was at the forefront of our discussions. Family planning is an essential health service, and the need for it does not diminish in a crisis—even as obstacles to health care mount. Reference Group members reported that the pandemic was already causing tremendous disruption to family planning services, through broken supply chains, national stay-at-home orders, and treatment protocols that prevent women from accessing routine health care. According to the latest projections, some 47 million women in 114 low- and middle-income countries may be unable to use modern contraceptives if the lockdown carries on for six months and there are major disruptions to health services. The FP2020 partnership is working together at global and country levels to ensure that family planning is part of countries’ COVID-19 response plans and that access to contraception is maintained. The Secretariat has created a resource page on the FP2020 website to share tools and guidance on family planning in the pandemic, in line with the UN Secretary General’s COVID-19 response recommendations, and has launched a weekly COVID-19 community update. The Secretariat has also been hosting a series of discussions and webinars with advocacy, youth, and service delivery partners to facilitate the flow of information and resources. While COVID-19 is consuming much of our attention, FP2020 continues to look ahead to its next iteration. The FP2020 Core Conveners and Secretariat will move ahead with efforts to lay a strong foundation for the next phase of this partnership, but the exact timing for a formal transition process will depend on how this situation unfolds over the next several months. The current Secretariat will continue to function normally until the new partnership architecture is in place, scheduled for early 2022. We will share information on the transition as it moves forward, but for now our focus is on ensuring access to contraception and services in every country. We know that this community is strong, innovative, and tightly connected. The strength of our movement is in our commitment to rights, collaboration, and creative solutions, as you have demonstrated these past several weeks. We have faith that we will come through this crisis stronger, with new, more innovative approaches to family planning care that will have positive impacts on the lives of women and girls for years to come. Chris Elias, President of Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
RESOURCES FROM THE FIELD UNFPA SUPPLIES: COVID-19 update In April there was a projected risk of stockouts for long-acting reversible contraceptives, and for injectables and pills, each affecting more than 20 countries; with some 10 countries at risk of stock out of condoms. As a result of coordinated action from UNFPA, USAID and the broader community as of the start of May, only six countries currently face projected stockouts for contraceptives. Work continues to ensure these stockouts don’t occur.
GOVERNMENTS WORLDWIDE: Joint press statement protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights and promoting gender-responsiveness in the COVID-19 crisis Dozens of governments worldwide signed on to this official statement urging the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights during pandemic response.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SUPPLIES COALITION: Joint statement on the importance of continued family planning data sharing and collaboration The COVID-19 pandemic is causing global supply chain disruptions and straining health systems. However, women still need access to quality family planning products and services. Failing to meet this essential need could mean long-term negative consequences during- and post-pandemic.
UNFPA: New public fund to protect women’s access to family planning services in crises and more With healthcare systems at risk of collapsing, UNFPA is urgently supplying life-saving medical equipment to help front-line health workers save mothers and babies. Donate today to support this critical work.
NEW RESOURCES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION FOCUS ON MITIGATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN  COVID-19 and violence against women: What the health sector/system can do Violence against women remains a major global public health threat during emergencies. This document provides information about what the health sector and individuals can do to prevent and address violence against women during the pandemic.  A set of questions and answers regarding violence against women during COVID-19 This document aims to help women experiencing violence in their homes or communities during the pandemic, as well as people who wish to help someone in their lives who they suspect are experiencing violence. There is also information for health care workers and policy makers on how they can best support survivors at this time.  New infographics to assist women facing violence during the pandemic This short set of infographics contain key messages for health workers, government, survivors, and support persons to respond to violence against women in COVID-19 response
FROM THE SECRETARIAT: Gender-based violence is surging & family planning is threatened. We can do better. By Emma Sampson, Varina Winder, Shiza Farid During the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, access to family planning services declined by more than 20% and adolescent pregnancy increased by 65% in some regions. As a community, we are stepping up to protect access to FP in this pandemic – but we must include the link to preventing gender-based violence.  LOOKING AHEAD
Self-care: Getting contraceptives into the hands of women during COVID-19
Marie Stopes International & FP2020 |
