- - -

India

Articles by India

A person receives a contraceptive implant, being administered by a midwife. Photo credit: IPPF/Kalolaine Fanu
22 February 2024

Choice Over Challenge

Evidence indicates that an estimated 163 million women worldwide face unmet needs for contraception, with the highest proportion of this occurring among women in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. To address this pressing issue, it is imperative to prioritize the inclusion of a comprehensive range of contraceptive methods that cater to the diverse needs of women across various age groups. By ensuring a wide array of contraceptive options, we can significantly reduce the prevalence of unsatisfied demand and unmet needs among women globally. In a promising development, India recently announced the integration of contraceptive implants into its public health system, which was previously inaccessible and posed significant affordability challenges for Indian women. Monitoring data from clinics associated with the Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN, a member association of IPPF South Asia Region) indicates that a considerable number of Indian women, primarily from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, cross the border seeking contraceptive implant services in Nepal’s Terai Region. However, beyond mere statistics, little is known about their experiences. Consequently, it is crucial to generate evidence by conducting an in-depth exploration of their cross-border journeys. To address this need, IPPF-South Asia Region and FPAN have collaboratively undertaken a cross-sectional exploratory multi-centric study adopting mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Download the document to read the full study.

Position Statement on Same-Sex Marriage
17 October 2023

Position Statement on the Indian Supreme Court’s Verdict on Same-Sex Marriage

We have meticulously followed the Indian Supreme Court’s verdict on legally recognizing same-sex marriages. We must express our profound disappointment at the missed opportunity to unequivocally affirm the rights and dignity of the LGBTI+ community in India.  The court’s recognition of the LGBTI+ community’s rights is a positive development, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, known for his progressive judgment in the decriminalization of Section 377, which decriminalized homosexuality, asserted that it is erroneous to exclusively associate competent parenting with heterosexual couples, a sentiment we applaud.  However, our appreciation is tempered by the court’s reluctance to extend legal recognition to same-sex marriages under the Special Marriage Act. The assertion by Justice Narasimha that the right to marry is statutory, not constitutional, and Justice Bhat’s concurrence that the Act should not be read down to include same-sex marriages, are positions we find deeply unsatisfactory.  The verdict, though a mix of progressive and conservative stances, unfortunately, leans towards the latter, leaving the LGBTQIA+ community in a limbo of partial recognition and incomplete rights. The court’s decision to defer the issue to parliament underscores a hesitancy to assert judicial leadership in safeguarding minority rights.  We are unwavering in our belief in the inherent dignity, rights, and equality of all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation. The verdict falls short of the decisive affirmation of rights that the LGBTI+ community in India deserves and is entitled to.  Our advocacy for the comprehensive legal recognition and societal acceptance of same-sex relationships remains as steadfast as ever. We are committed to ensuring that every individual enjoys the freedom to love and be loved without discrimination. We urge the Indian parliament to rise above societal norms and prejudices and to legislate an inclusive, equitable, and just society where the rights and dignities of all citizens are upheld and protected.  We are committed to continued and intensified advocacy until the full spectrum of rights is unconditionally extended to the LGBTQIA+ community in India. The journey towards equality, dignity, and justice continues. 

Towards a More Equal World
15 June 2023

Towards a More Equal World

The South Asia region is witnessing winds of change. Growing efforts are culminating in ending prejudice and empowering all citizens. The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) South Asia Regional Office is working closely with its Member Associations to script powerful breakthroughs that exemplify the protection and advancement of rights for people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) people, and others who do not conform to the sexual and gender norms of society. As a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all, IPPF works with and for communities and individuals across countries. Its consistent efforts have advanced abortion rights; increased public support for sexuality education; countered the rolling back of SRHR in law and policy; and fought stereotypes linked to gender-based violence, amongst others. The invisible nature of LGBTI+ narratives and overall misinformation surrounding people of diverse SOGIESC has necessitated the urgency to find more structured, relevant, and long-lasting mechanisms. IPPF South Asia Regional Office published a Situation Assessment in 2021 covering its Member Associations and Regional team. Findings shed light on key contextual and structural challenges to adopting more diverse SOGIESC-inclusive approaches. This included a mapping of restrictive legal and socio-cultural environments that rendered it challenging to advocate with state actors for rights of people with diverse SOGIESC. In mid-2021, each Member Association in the South Asia Region was requested to organize focus group discussions with select members of the community. India, Nepal and Sri Lanka shared their initiatives which were being supported by the Movement Accelerator Platform, Global Affairs Canada, and others. These initiatives are now paving the way for a more equitable and balanced environment where equal opportunities exist and can be accessed. Read about these initiatives in this booklet.

IPPF Japan Trust Fund
30 March 2017

Japan Trust Fund

The Japan Trust Fund (JTF) represents a visionary partnership that began in 2000 between the Government of Japan and IPPF. Together, we invest in programmes that prioritize health equity, gender equality, and human security for all. Traditionally a driving force behind IPPF's efforts to support the integrated HIV prevention programmes of our Member Associations in Africa and Asia, JTF has adjusted to reflect changing global health priorities. We attach importance to universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights - an essential contributor to universal health coverage and the global development goals.     These projects have transformed the lives of people most vulnerable to HIV and high risk of maternal and child mortality. Equally, it ensures that as a donor, the GOJ’s response to HIV remains people-centred and contributes to human security.      

Photo of ACT!2030 young activists
07 February 2017

ACT!2030

IPPF collaborates with UNAIDS and The PACT to implement ACT!2030 (formerly ACT!2015), a youth-led social action initiative which engages young people in 12 countries with advocacy and accountability around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other SRHR agreements/frameworks. ACT!2030 was initiated in 2013 as a way to increase youth participation in the negotiations leading up to the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, and for two years focused on establishing alliances of youth-led and youth-serving organisations in 12 countries across the world. The project is currently in Phase 4, which runs until the end of 2017, and aims to establish youth-led, data-driven accountability mechanisms to ensure youth engagement with the implementation of the SDGs and build an evidence base for advocacy. Ultimately, Phase 4 of ACT!2030 seeks to identify, assess and address key policy barriers to young people’s sexual and reproductive data by using existing data, supplemented by youth-collected data, to advocate and lobby for policy change. This phase involves four main activities: indicator advocacy (persuading decision makers to adopt youth-friendly SRHR and HIV indicators, including on things like comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and access to youth-friendly services, into national/global reporting mechanisms); evidence gathering (creating national databases on quality of and access to youth-friendly services and CSE); communications (transforming this data and evidence into communications pieces that can be used to advocacy and lobby at national and international level); and global exchange (facilitating global visibility to share advocacy and engagement learnings and increase youth-led accountability in global and regional processes). ACT!2030 is implemented by national alliances of youth organisations in 12 countries: Algeria, Bulgaria, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.  

Family Planning Association of India logo
31 March 2016

Family Planning Association of India

Established in 1949, Family Planning Association of India is a voluntary non-governmental organization, which pioneered the family planning movement in India. FPA India works on a wide range of SRHR issues encompassing family planning, maternal health, child survival, HIV/AIDS, safe abortion, reproductive tract cancer screening and prevention, gender empowerment and young people, and mitigation of gender-based violence (GBV). Key strategies include ensuring access to high quality SRH services and strengthening health systems; strengthening access to information and services for young people; comprehensive sexuality education; capacity building of health care providers and community volunteers on SRHR issues; engaging with communities and individuals to change gender disparity and promote SRHR; promoting livelihood opportunities for economic empowerment of the poor and vulnerable and advocacy for policy change at the national and state level. FPA India reaches a population of more than 30 million annually, on an average. Presently, FPA India operates through 45 Branches and Projects across 18 States, supported by more than 3000 community based volunteers and more than 1000 staff. Services are provided through 39 Reproductive Health and Family Planning Centres (RHFPCs), 19 Urban Family Welfare Centres (UFWC) that are government funded, 19 satellite clinics, 229 associated clinics, 56 outreach service units with support from 510 CBDs, 119 private physicians and 33 other agencies. During the year 2020, SRH services were provided to 4.2 million clients, of which nearly 40% were young people below the age of 24 years.  Vision: All people empowered to enjoy their sexual and reproductive health choices and rights in an India free from stigma and discrimination Mission: A voluntary commitment to SRHR to ADVOCATE for and ENABLE gender equality and empowerment for all including poor and vulnerable people, ENSURE information, education and services, POWERED by knowledge, innovation and technology towards sustainable development.  USPs of FPAI: Pioneer- The largest and oldest Civil Society Organisation in India and the founding member of IPPF in 1952. FPAI is the driving force to make India the first country in the world to include family planning in the country’s Planning Commission. Strategic Partner- A key member of government committees on SRH and FP matters, FPAI is a leading SRH advocate in the country including Pratigya campaign- a coalition that works towards protecting and advancing women’s rights and their access to safe abortion care in India, working with governments, organisations and media at the national and state levels. Far-reaching - FPAI, with its strong franchise of service delivery points including 41 static clinics distributed across the country delivers vital SRH services to the unreached, like tribal populations, LGBTQI, prison inmates, and communities affected by humanitarian crises. Enterprising : FPAI has nurtured support from corporates and large private foundations to implement not only SRH services through CSR initiatives but also hosting sports and cultural events including the prestigious Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM)ranked amongst the top 10 marathons in the world. Innovative : FPAI is taking big strides in adoption of Self-Care and Digital Health interventions in delivering SRH services and to that effect hosted a business initiative as a part of the Global Strategic Plan of IPPF, Frontiers in SRHR Access for Women and Youth.

A person receives a contraceptive implant, being administered by a midwife. Photo credit: IPPF/Kalolaine Fanu
22 February 2024

Choice Over Challenge

Evidence indicates that an estimated 163 million women worldwide face unmet needs for contraception, with the highest proportion of this occurring among women in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. To address this pressing issue, it is imperative to prioritize the inclusion of a comprehensive range of contraceptive methods that cater to the diverse needs of women across various age groups. By ensuring a wide array of contraceptive options, we can significantly reduce the prevalence of unsatisfied demand and unmet needs among women globally. In a promising development, India recently announced the integration of contraceptive implants into its public health system, which was previously inaccessible and posed significant affordability challenges for Indian women. Monitoring data from clinics associated with the Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN, a member association of IPPF South Asia Region) indicates that a considerable number of Indian women, primarily from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, cross the border seeking contraceptive implant services in Nepal’s Terai Region. However, beyond mere statistics, little is known about their experiences. Consequently, it is crucial to generate evidence by conducting an in-depth exploration of their cross-border journeys. To address this need, IPPF-South Asia Region and FPAN have collaboratively undertaken a cross-sectional exploratory multi-centric study adopting mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Download the document to read the full study.

Position Statement on Same-Sex Marriage
17 October 2023

Position Statement on the Indian Supreme Court’s Verdict on Same-Sex Marriage

We have meticulously followed the Indian Supreme Court’s verdict on legally recognizing same-sex marriages. We must express our profound disappointment at the missed opportunity to unequivocally affirm the rights and dignity of the LGBTI+ community in India.  The court’s recognition of the LGBTI+ community’s rights is a positive development, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, known for his progressive judgment in the decriminalization of Section 377, which decriminalized homosexuality, asserted that it is erroneous to exclusively associate competent parenting with heterosexual couples, a sentiment we applaud.  However, our appreciation is tempered by the court’s reluctance to extend legal recognition to same-sex marriages under the Special Marriage Act. The assertion by Justice Narasimha that the right to marry is statutory, not constitutional, and Justice Bhat’s concurrence that the Act should not be read down to include same-sex marriages, are positions we find deeply unsatisfactory.  The verdict, though a mix of progressive and conservative stances, unfortunately, leans towards the latter, leaving the LGBTQIA+ community in a limbo of partial recognition and incomplete rights. The court’s decision to defer the issue to parliament underscores a hesitancy to assert judicial leadership in safeguarding minority rights.  We are unwavering in our belief in the inherent dignity, rights, and equality of all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation. The verdict falls short of the decisive affirmation of rights that the LGBTI+ community in India deserves and is entitled to.  Our advocacy for the comprehensive legal recognition and societal acceptance of same-sex relationships remains as steadfast as ever. We are committed to ensuring that every individual enjoys the freedom to love and be loved without discrimination. We urge the Indian parliament to rise above societal norms and prejudices and to legislate an inclusive, equitable, and just society where the rights and dignities of all citizens are upheld and protected.  We are committed to continued and intensified advocacy until the full spectrum of rights is unconditionally extended to the LGBTQIA+ community in India. The journey towards equality, dignity, and justice continues. 

Towards a More Equal World
15 June 2023

Towards a More Equal World

The South Asia region is witnessing winds of change. Growing efforts are culminating in ending prejudice and empowering all citizens. The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) South Asia Regional Office is working closely with its Member Associations to script powerful breakthroughs that exemplify the protection and advancement of rights for people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) people, and others who do not conform to the sexual and gender norms of society. As a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all, IPPF works with and for communities and individuals across countries. Its consistent efforts have advanced abortion rights; increased public support for sexuality education; countered the rolling back of SRHR in law and policy; and fought stereotypes linked to gender-based violence, amongst others. The invisible nature of LGBTI+ narratives and overall misinformation surrounding people of diverse SOGIESC has necessitated the urgency to find more structured, relevant, and long-lasting mechanisms. IPPF South Asia Regional Office published a Situation Assessment in 2021 covering its Member Associations and Regional team. Findings shed light on key contextual and structural challenges to adopting more diverse SOGIESC-inclusive approaches. This included a mapping of restrictive legal and socio-cultural environments that rendered it challenging to advocate with state actors for rights of people with diverse SOGIESC. In mid-2021, each Member Association in the South Asia Region was requested to organize focus group discussions with select members of the community. India, Nepal and Sri Lanka shared their initiatives which were being supported by the Movement Accelerator Platform, Global Affairs Canada, and others. These initiatives are now paving the way for a more equitable and balanced environment where equal opportunities exist and can be accessed. Read about these initiatives in this booklet.

IPPF Japan Trust Fund
30 March 2017

Japan Trust Fund

The Japan Trust Fund (JTF) represents a visionary partnership that began in 2000 between the Government of Japan and IPPF. Together, we invest in programmes that prioritize health equity, gender equality, and human security for all. Traditionally a driving force behind IPPF's efforts to support the integrated HIV prevention programmes of our Member Associations in Africa and Asia, JTF has adjusted to reflect changing global health priorities. We attach importance to universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights - an essential contributor to universal health coverage and the global development goals.     These projects have transformed the lives of people most vulnerable to HIV and high risk of maternal and child mortality. Equally, it ensures that as a donor, the GOJ’s response to HIV remains people-centred and contributes to human security.      

Photo of ACT!2030 young activists
07 February 2017

ACT!2030

IPPF collaborates with UNAIDS and The PACT to implement ACT!2030 (formerly ACT!2015), a youth-led social action initiative which engages young people in 12 countries with advocacy and accountability around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other SRHR agreements/frameworks. ACT!2030 was initiated in 2013 as a way to increase youth participation in the negotiations leading up to the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, and for two years focused on establishing alliances of youth-led and youth-serving organisations in 12 countries across the world. The project is currently in Phase 4, which runs until the end of 2017, and aims to establish youth-led, data-driven accountability mechanisms to ensure youth engagement with the implementation of the SDGs and build an evidence base for advocacy. Ultimately, Phase 4 of ACT!2030 seeks to identify, assess and address key policy barriers to young people’s sexual and reproductive data by using existing data, supplemented by youth-collected data, to advocate and lobby for policy change. This phase involves four main activities: indicator advocacy (persuading decision makers to adopt youth-friendly SRHR and HIV indicators, including on things like comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and access to youth-friendly services, into national/global reporting mechanisms); evidence gathering (creating national databases on quality of and access to youth-friendly services and CSE); communications (transforming this data and evidence into communications pieces that can be used to advocacy and lobby at national and international level); and global exchange (facilitating global visibility to share advocacy and engagement learnings and increase youth-led accountability in global and regional processes). ACT!2030 is implemented by national alliances of youth organisations in 12 countries: Algeria, Bulgaria, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.  

Family Planning Association of India logo
31 March 2016

Family Planning Association of India

Established in 1949, Family Planning Association of India is a voluntary non-governmental organization, which pioneered the family planning movement in India. FPA India works on a wide range of SRHR issues encompassing family planning, maternal health, child survival, HIV/AIDS, safe abortion, reproductive tract cancer screening and prevention, gender empowerment and young people, and mitigation of gender-based violence (GBV). Key strategies include ensuring access to high quality SRH services and strengthening health systems; strengthening access to information and services for young people; comprehensive sexuality education; capacity building of health care providers and community volunteers on SRHR issues; engaging with communities and individuals to change gender disparity and promote SRHR; promoting livelihood opportunities for economic empowerment of the poor and vulnerable and advocacy for policy change at the national and state level. FPA India reaches a population of more than 30 million annually, on an average. Presently, FPA India operates through 45 Branches and Projects across 18 States, supported by more than 3000 community based volunteers and more than 1000 staff. Services are provided through 39 Reproductive Health and Family Planning Centres (RHFPCs), 19 Urban Family Welfare Centres (UFWC) that are government funded, 19 satellite clinics, 229 associated clinics, 56 outreach service units with support from 510 CBDs, 119 private physicians and 33 other agencies. During the year 2020, SRH services were provided to 4.2 million clients, of which nearly 40% were young people below the age of 24 years.  Vision: All people empowered to enjoy their sexual and reproductive health choices and rights in an India free from stigma and discrimination Mission: A voluntary commitment to SRHR to ADVOCATE for and ENABLE gender equality and empowerment for all including poor and vulnerable people, ENSURE information, education and services, POWERED by knowledge, innovation and technology towards sustainable development.  USPs of FPAI: Pioneer- The largest and oldest Civil Society Organisation in India and the founding member of IPPF in 1952. FPAI is the driving force to make India the first country in the world to include family planning in the country’s Planning Commission. Strategic Partner- A key member of government committees on SRH and FP matters, FPAI is a leading SRH advocate in the country including Pratigya campaign- a coalition that works towards protecting and advancing women’s rights and their access to safe abortion care in India, working with governments, organisations and media at the national and state levels. Far-reaching - FPAI, with its strong franchise of service delivery points including 41 static clinics distributed across the country delivers vital SRH services to the unreached, like tribal populations, LGBTQI, prison inmates, and communities affected by humanitarian crises. Enterprising : FPAI has nurtured support from corporates and large private foundations to implement not only SRH services through CSR initiatives but also hosting sports and cultural events including the prestigious Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM)ranked amongst the top 10 marathons in the world. Innovative : FPAI is taking big strides in adoption of Self-Care and Digital Health interventions in delivering SRH services and to that effect hosted a business initiative as a part of the Global Strategic Plan of IPPF, Frontiers in SRHR Access for Women and Youth.