International Planned Parenthood Federation
The International Planned Parenthood Federation is a global non-governmental organization with the broad aims of promoting sexual and reproductive health, and advocating the right of individuals to make their own choices in family planning. It was first formed in 1952 in Bombay, India, and now consists of more than 149 Member Associations working in more than 189 countries. IPPF is highly developed and organized into six regions.
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[edit] Purpose
Member Associations provide non-profit family planning services, sexual health and abuse prevention training and education. Their goals include giving clients the information necessary to make informed sexual health decisions, promoting continuing sexual health, making available high quality sexual health services, improving the overall health of low income individuals, and using democratic organization and the leadership of volunteers to promote these goals.
[edit] Funding
The IPPF is financially supported by governments, trusts, and foundations including the European Commission and the United Nations Population Fund for special projects. Half of the balance of their funding comes from government official development assistance programmes. To achieve their goals as an organization, the IPPF often collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).[citation needed]
The IPPF is a prominent lobbyist in the European Union: specifically, for the European Council and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is the only non-governmental organization (NGO) that focuses on sexual health and reproductive rights to qualify for Consultative Status with the Council of Europe. This allows the IPPF to sit in on the Parliamentary Assembly.[citation needed]
[edit] Canadian funding
In April 2011, it was revealed that IPPF, which had applied for an $18 million grant more than a year previously, had been denied funding by the Conservative government due to lobbying efforts by pro-life groups.[1]
On Sept. 22, 2011, the Canadian International Development Agency granted IPPF $6 million over three years. The money is for services yet to be rendered in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mali, Sudan, and Tanzania.[2] Many anti-abortion activists have been critical of the spending including conservative MP Brad Trost who criticized his own party for supporting the pro-choice group.[3]
[edit] United States funding
IPPF is a pro-choice organization that advocates for access to contraception and safe abortion services. This has led IPPF into conflict with conservative social forces, including the Roman Catholic Church and the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, who reinstated the Mexico City Policy in 2001. This policy required non-governmental organizations in receipt of U.S. funds to refrain from providing birth control and/or abortion-related services, and was first instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 after lobbying from the Vatican following's Reagan's establishment of official diplomatic relations with the Holy See.[4][5] IPPF opted not to alter its method of operation, and, as a result, lost 20% of its funding during the time the Mexico City Policy was in effect. The policy was rescinded by President Barack Obama in January 2009.[6]
[edit] Selected affiliates
- IPPF/Western Hemisphere Region (Caribbean and the Americas)
- Family Planning Association (UK)
- Family Planning Association of Hong Kong
- Family Planning Association of India
- Family Planning Queensland
- Japan Family Planning Association
- Rutgers Nisso Group (Netherlands)
- Swedish Association for Sexuality Education
- Pro Familia (Germany)[7]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ MacCharles, Tonda (April 21, 2011). "Anti-abortion groups shaped Tory funding policy on Planned Parenthood". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/978054--anti-abortion-groups-shaped-tory-funding-policy-on-planned-parenthood?bn=1.
- ^ Berthiaume, Lee (September 28, 2011). "Anti-abortion supporters angered over CIDA funding for abortion-offering group". Montreal Gazette. http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/Anti+abortion+supporters+angered+over+CIDA+funding+abortion+offering/5466752/story.html.
- ^ Haight, Lana (September 29, 2011). "Conservative MP Trost criticizes gov't over Planned Parenthood". The StarPhoenix. http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/Conservative+Trost+criticizes+over+Planned+Parenthood/5474329/story.html.
- ^ Time Magazine article by Carl Bernstein regarding the "Mexico City Policy", the Reagan administration's capitulation to pressure from the Vatican with quotes from first U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, William A. Wilson
- ^ "Mexico City Policy - Voluntary Population Planning". President of the United States of America. January 23, 2009. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/MexicoCityPolicy-VoluntaryPopulationPlanning. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
- ^ Tapper, Jake (January 23, 2009). "Obama Overturns 'Mexico City Policy' Implemented by Reagan". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/International/story?id=6716958&page=1.
- ^ German Wikipedia: Pro Familia
