Upholding Women’s Reproductive Rights: Ipas Pakistan’s Journey

Since 2007, Ipas Pakistan has been a trailblazing organization dedicated to promoting women’s bodily autonomy and protecting their right to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. We are thrilled to take you on a journey through our impactful work and the remarkable difference we are making in Pakistan to save women lives and to uphold human rights.

Championing Women’s Reproductive Autonomy:

At Ipas Pakistan, we firmly believe that every woman should have the power to make choices regarding her reproductive health. Our mission revolves around creating a sustainable abortion ecosystem that ensures local stakeholders and health systems actively support safe abortion rights and respond to women’s reproductive needs. We strive to provide a supportive environment where women feel empowered and have access to essential reproductive healthcare services exactly when and where they need them.

Building Strong Partnerships:

To accomplish our goals, we have forged meaningful partnerships with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, provincial health and population welfare departments, local and international organizations, and health professional associations. By collaborating with community-based organizations, educational institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders, we maximize our impact and create a network of support for women and girls across the country.

 

A Response to the Pandemic:

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to accessing reproductive healthcare services. Ipas Pakistan took immediate action by advocating for the recognition of abortion care as an essential health service. Recognizing the limited physical access to health facilities, we pioneered a groundbreaking telehealth initiative in collaboration with provincial health departments and Sehat Kahani Pakistan. Through this initiative, we trained healthcare professionals to provide telehealth consultations forsafe abortion and postabortion contraception.. Women and girls now have the option to receive counseling and support through phone calls, internet platforms, or smartphone apps, ensuring their access to essential services even during these trying times and beyond.

Addressing the Impact of Climate Change:

At Ipas Pakistan, we understand that climate change affects people’s reproductive health and rights. In areas devastated by recent 2022 floods, where countless women and girls were in desperate need of reproductive healthcare, we  launched a joint-response strategy in partnership with Sindh Government. By providing supplies, training healthcare professionals, and mobilizing community-based workers, we ensured that essential reproductive healthcare, including abortion and contraception services, is readily available to those who need it most.

As a next step, considering the critical intersection of climate change and reproductive health, we have developed an advocacy toolkit on the intersection between climate change and reproductive health with a focus on safe abortion care through a country wide consultative process with key stakeholders.

Our Impact, Our Inspiration:

The tireless efforts of Ipas Pakistan and partners have saved countless women lives from deaths and injuries. We are committed to empowering women and girls, breaking barriers, and upholding their reproductive rights. Through partnerships, evidence-based advocacy, and innovative initiatives, we strive to create a world where every woman can make decisions about her body and receive the care she deserves.

Join the Movement:

We invite you to be a part of this powerful movement. Together, we can create a society where women’s reproductive autonomy is respected, and their access to essential healthcare services is guaranteed. Explore our website, engage with our stories, and share your support for women’s rights by tweeting #EmpowerHerChoice.