IPPF Position Paper: The Climate Crisis and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
As a major healthcare provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is committed to supporting communities to adapt to the effects of the climate crisis while calling for inclusive, human rights‑based, and gender‑transformative action to respond to the climate crisis and its impacts at all levels.
This position paper describes IPPF’s priorities for advocacy and engagement on the intersections of sexual and reproductive health and rights and the climate crisis. It highlights what we see as our strengths on the issue as a healthcare provider and advocate and points to the values that will underpin our work in this space.
An often overlooked aspect of the climate crisis is how it intersects with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The list of impacts of this intersection is devastatingly extensive, and includes:
- Reduced or unavailable services in areas affected by climate-related disasters, meaning access to services like contraception, safe abortion care, and STI testing and treatment is blocked
- Harmful effects on maternal health due to increased heat exposure
- Reduced access to safe water during pregnancy and childbirth
- An increase in sexual and gender‑based violence, and child, early and forced marriages during humanitarian crises or displacement
- Neglect of the health and rights needs of people who typically face marginalization, such as those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics.
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Download: IPPF position paper- The climate crisis and sexual and reproductive health and rights
Source: IPPF Website