Dear Colleagues,
We are happy to send you the most recent update on the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) Americas and the Caribbean Transition. This newsletter is for all Member Associations (MAs) in the region, sent to Executive Directors and Presidents.
Not without challenges, significant progress has been made and now the region has a registered name – Americas and the Caribbean-, strategic directions co-created with MAs and decisions on the new regional office locations.
IPPF Americas and the Caribbean Regional Office Locations
IPPF Americas and the Caribbean Regional Office will have two locations with no hierarchy among them but working in collaboration as equals and with mutual trust to meet the needs of the populations IPPF serves.
On 17 of November, the IPPF Board of Trustees decided that the locations of the IPPF Regional Office in the Americas and the Caribbean will be: Trinidad & Tobago and Colombia
Co-Creating Regional Strategic Directions
After an extensive listening process and thinking sessions with external actors and youth, MAs have defined strategic priorities for the region. To achieve IPPF’s mission of realising SRHR and gender equality for all, MAs have decided to focus on an intersectional approach of themes, populations and pathways. Priority themes selected are contraception, adolescent health, abortion, comprehensive sexuality education and gender-based violence. Enablers to deliver on them are financial sustainability, innovation and monitoring opposition. The heart of our work will be the populations left behind.
New Membership
The process to invite affiliates of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (CFPA) to become full IPPF members has started as well as initial research on new members in some countries.
The Unseen Women
On November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, IPPF Americas and the Caribbean Region will launch the social media campaign: “The Unseen Women”. The campaign will showcase the lived experiences diverse groups of women who are in greater risk of exposure to gender-based violence.
Diverse women of intersecting identities from across the region will share their experiences of gender-based violence. Use the hashtag #TheUnseenWomen; #LasMujeresQueNoVes
Upcoming Dates
25th November – The Americas and the Caribbean Executive Directors Member Associations will meet to discuss decisions made by the IPPF Board of Trustees, the regional office definition and functions, and external feedback to the regional strategic priorities.
December – IPPF Americas and the Caribbean Region will have a virtual Christmas and New Year party.