Together, we expanded reproductive freedom
With support from donors and partners, Ipas brought lifesaving reproductive health care to almost 2.5 million people at over 10,000 health access points across 24 countries. And we reached millions more with essential information about reproductive health.
Thank you!
Together, we are ensuring that women and girls can control their own bodies and futures. The road ahead is not easy, but we’ll continue to resist, persist and build a more just world. When you support Ipas, you fuel real, lasting change for millions.
Your continued support is appreciated.
Suzan, an Ipas-trained health worker in Benue State, Nigeria, cares for people displaced by violent conflict. Because of the Ipas training she received, she says she now feels comfortable providing abortion care for patients who need it. © Ipas Nigeria
Bringing abortion access to those who need it most
People displaced from their homes by conflict or climate disasters are at higher risk for sexual violence, unplanned pregnancy and resorting to abortion with unsafe methods. In crisis settings around the world, Ipas works to ensure people can access the sexual and reproductive health care they urgently need.
In conflict-affected areas of Nigeria, Ipas is training humanitarian and health-care workers to offer specially tailored care for women and girls who experience sexual violence. One health worker named Suzan who received Ipas training says she now feels better equipped to deliver the services people need.
“I was able to provide safe abortion services in our facility with the training I had—and offer postabortion family planning to the patient.”
– Suzan, an Ipas-trained health worker in Nigeria
We helped health systems expand legal abortion access
At the 10,543 Ipas-supported health access points across 24 countries:
people received abortion care
60% of services provided were abortion with pills
people received contraception
We’re ensuring young people can access the care they need:
42% of abortion recipients were age 24 or younger
38% of contraception recipients were age 24 or younger
Ipas staff and partners stood in support of a ban on child marriage during a session of Bolivia’s parliament where the law change was debated. They held signs with messaging from a nationwide advocacy campaign: Ni esposas, ni concubinas. Las niñas son niñas. (Neither wives nor concubines. Girls are girls). © Ipas Bolivia
Building support for abortion as a human right
In September 2025, the Bolivian government approved the Law Against Child Marriage and Early Unions, officially prohibiting all marriages under the age of 18.
Senator Virginia Velasco spearheaded the push to change the law, with support from Ipas Bolivia and human rights organizations. This success builds on years of advocacy by Ipas and partners to end child marriage, which is disturbingly common in Bolivia. In 2024, Ipas testimony at a hearing of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights prompted the Bolivian government to commit to take action to address the country’s child marriage crisis.
“When a girl is married, she loses her childhood. This law sends a clear message: Girls are neither wives nor concubines.”
– Malena Morales, director of Ipas Bolivia
Photo by Manuel Seoane
We built political support and leadership for abortion rights
policy changes to expand abortion access in 17 countries
Africa
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cote d’Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ethiopia
Madagascar
Mali
Nigeria
Togo
Asia
Bangladesh
India
Indonesia
Pakistan
The Americas
Argentina
Honduras
Mexico
positive public statements supporting access to abortion across 19 countries
Africa
Benin
Cote d’Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ethiopia
Gambia
Madagascar
Mozambique
Nigeria
South Africa
Togo
Asia
India
Indonesia
The Americas
Bolivia
Chile
Ecuador
El Salvador
Mexico
United States
Himali Khatri (at right), a participant in Ipas’s Natural Leaders program in rural Nepal, hands out information on family planning and where to access safe abortion care to women in her community.
Helping people find vital health information and care
Himali Khatri lives in rural Nepal, where discussing sexual and reproductive health is taboo and women rarely have the power to make their own decisions about things like contraception and abortion.
Himali transformed into a respected community leader and health educator through her participation in Ipas’s “Natural Leaders,” a program that supports local women to become a force for change. Natural Leaders like Himali are stopping child marriage, guiding people to safe reproductive health care, and challenging long-held taboos.
“Before, people didn’t even talk about safe abortion. Now, they ask us to come back and teach more.”
–Himali Khatri, participant in Ipas’s Natural Leaders program
We reached millions across the world with information on reproductive health
*Ipas uses the Equal Earth map projection to more accurately reflect the true size of the Global South.
Some examples of our impact:
Bolivia
After participating in Ipas-led community trainings on sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence, 65% of the 603 participants demonstrated improved knowledge and nearly half showed more positive attitudes toward contraception and abortion. One young woman testified that she gained the confidence to leave an abusive relationship and reclaim control over her life.
Nigeria
In Jigawa State, Ipas’s work to engage religious and community leaders on women’s rights and reproductive health led to sizeable shifts in community support for women’s safety and bodily autonomy. In just four months, the state saw a four-fold increase in people reporting cases of gender-based violence and a three-fold increase in women accessing contraception.
India
In India’s rural Sundarbans region, Ipas supported a youth-led program to strengthen young people’s knowledge and agency around sexual and reproductive health. Peer outreach and community education sessions resulted in a marked increase in young women’s reported feelings of self-efficacy and social support related to sexual and reproductive health issues and care.
We’re resisting, persisting, and building a more just future
In the United States, where abortion access is increasingly restricted, Ipas is training current and future health professionals in both abortion care and the important role health providers can play in defending the human right to abortion. Trainings began in early 2025 and the Ipas U.S. team is now gearing up to expand the program and reach thousands of health-care professionals over the next three years.
“Our priority is to promote and protect equitable access to abortion as a human right.”
– Maria Elena Pérez, Ipas United States director
Twenty years ago, Ethiopia liberalized its abortion law in a landmark decision that has saved lives and expanded rights across the country. Ipas staff and partners were part of the persistent advocacy movement that made it happen. And they’re still working today to expand access and rights. Ipas Ethiopia’s director Dr. Demeke Desta shared reflections on resilience for the 20th anniversary of the law change.
“My message is to be persistent, resilient, and strategic. Every country has its own priorities. If human rights don’t resonate with policymakers, frame the issue as a public health concern.”
– Dr. Demeke Desta, Ipas Ethiopia director
Girls deserve the right to choose their own path in life. But this right is often denied due to many interrelated factors, including child marriage, teengage pregnancy, and school dropout. That’s why we use a holistic approach to ensure girls’ futures in places like Indonesia.
“At Ipas we are used to focusing on teenage pregnancy, but we can’t address it in isolation. In Indonesia, we focus on empowering girls through sexuality education, engaging families and communities in these efforts, and expanding youth-friendly health services with village midwives.”
– Dr. Marcia Soumokil, Ipas Indonesia director