DFATD and IPPF - check your numbers

More on my DFATD ATIP for the $6 million funding to International Planned Parenthood.

I received a list of commodities and clinical consumables for the period 1 April 2013 - March 2014 (12 month period), which included contraception, injectables, condoms, spermicides etc. I also received the same information for the previous semi-annual report for April -September 2013 (a six month period).

I decided to compare the two reports to see how the numbers had increased, since the first was for a full year and the latter for only six months. When I looked a bit closer at the two reports, I noticed something. The numbers on both reports for Afghanistan and Sudan were identical (below I reproduce the first page of Afghanistan's).

No commodities were purchased between October 2013 and March 2014 (since the numbers are identical). Maybe all items were purchased at the beginning of the year? I don't know.

In any event, how many contraceptives and emergency contraceptives are we buying in Afghanistan anyway? See charts below.

(NOTE: Postinor-2 is emergency contraception. EC is considered an abortifacient if the egg has already been fertilized (i.e it prevents implantation in the uterus, killing the embryo). Abortion is illegal in Afghanistan.)

Canadian money to IPPF for funding "safe abortion care" and "emergency contraception" in Afghanistan

Despite assurances by the Federal government that no Canadian money given to IPPF would go towards abortion, my latest ATIP to CIDA/DFATD revealed that IPPF is buying "emergency contraception" (34,000 units of the Abbot drug Postinor -2 (Levonorgestrel)). They are also providing "safe abortion care" in Afghanistan.

As we know, "emergency contraception" is taken after sexual intercourse for the purpose of "preventing" pregnancy, but it functions as an abortifacient if fertilization has already occurred (it prevents implantation of the embryo, thus destroying the life of the newly conceived human being.)

(See below for page 30 from the IPPF Annual Report Year 2 (1 April 2012 - 31 March 2013) and page 88 from the IPPF Midyear Report (1 April to 30 September 2013).

In fact, according to this medical leaflet, Postinor-2 is only used as emergency contraception:

"Postinor-2 is an emergency contraceptive only. Postinor-2 is not intended as a regular method of contraception. It is used to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. It is estimated that Postinor-2 will prevent 85% of expected pregnancies. 95% of expected pregnancies will be prevented if taken within the first 24 hours, declining to 58% if taken between 48 hours and 72 hours after unprotected intercourse."

Not only that. Apparently AFGA's abortion services "needs improvement." (Afghan Family Guidance Association is an associate member of International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and receives funding from IPPF).

Why is AFGA providing abortion care, when we aren't even supposed to be funding abortion services in these countries?

This is what the Population Research Institute says about the legality of abortion, and emergency contraception in Afghanistan:

"The current Afghanistan abortion law mandates a seven-year prison term and a monetary fine for each abortion performed. The only exception requires the written opinion of physicians, and a judicial review. According to strict and clear guidelines promulgated by the Ministry of Justice, this same law would apply to anyone who has prescribed “morning-after pills” or “emergency contraception” in Afghanistan, or even to anyone carrying these devices in the country."

IPPF states in their annual report that this funding is directed towards:

"women, girls, men and boys who need access to reproductive health services and information. Clients reached throughout this project are female, male, young and old, couples and families in five countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mali, Sudan and Tanzania). The project prioritizes vulnerable individuals and groups, and also young people, especially young women. Seventy per cent of all the clients served through the project are poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or underserved, while 33% of all clients are young people, aged between 15-25 years."

Are these poor, marginalized and vulnerable young women, even told what emergency contraceptive is? That it doesn't necessarily prevent conception--i.e. that if fertilization (conception) has occurred, it destroys that newly conceived life by preventing implantation. In other words, are these poor, marginalized and vulnerable clients giving their informed consent?

By all accounts, this is a pretty clear indication to me, that we are providing abortion services in Afghanistan. Abortion services that are specifically excluded from the terms and conditions of the $6 million dollar grant we gave to IPPF.

This should cause us grave concern.

CIDA funding to IPPF - the series

Here are all my writings on the funding CIDA (now called DFATD or Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada) has given to IPPF (International Planned Parenthood).

Monday, July 20, 2015
IPPF - Menstrual Regulation or Erratic Regulation?

Monday, February 16, 2015
IPPF and Depo-Provera: what about informed consent?

IPPF: 45 million services, but no abortion?
Friday, December 12, 2014

Government of Bangladesh dismisses board of FPAB
Tuesday, October 7, 2014

DFATD and IPPF - the numbers don't add up
September 23, 2014

DFATD and IPPF - check your numbers
September 22, 2014

DFATD and IPPF - 45,118 people not sterilized in Tanzania
September 22, 2014

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MP questions CIDA due diligence insuring IPPF isn't funding abortions

May 4, 2014

Canadian money to IPPF for funding "safe abortion care" and "emergency contraception" in Afghanistan
May 2, 2014

IMPLANON in Sudan: tip of the iceberg?
April 15, 2014

So how much has CIDA given IPPF anyway?
March 31, 2014

Jadelle not purchased for Tanzania - instead purchased for Mali
March 30, 2014

CIDA does IPPF site visits in only two of five countries

Dec 10, 2013, 2013 

What's going on in Bangladesh?

Oct 15, 2013 

CIDA and IPPF and abortion - Fact Sheets

Oct 04, 2013 

CIDA - when due diligence isn't diligent

Sep 28, 2013

What's not good enough for us is good enough for Tanzania

Sep 14, 2013

Run With Life: ATIP: CIDA and IPPF (Part 4)

Jan 23, 2012

ATIP: CIDA and IPPF (Part 3)

Jan 23, 2012 

ATIP: CIDA and IPPF (Part 2)

Jan 23, 2012 

Run With Life: ATIP: CIDA and IPPF (more to come...)

Jan 21, 2012

Planned Parenthood targets young women

I just watched this video produced by Planned Parenthood in Northern UK,

There are a whole series of them and they feature a really happy chirpy 20-something young lady.

I've watched a couple of the videos, and the young lady is happy happy happy in all of them. I also looked through the series and couldn't find any of these videos on those other choices. You know the ones where a woman keeps her child, or puts her up for adoption? No no, only abortion, contraception, emergency contraception, etc.

Here are a few quotes from the video:

I realize that abortion is a big scary word but maybe it doesn't have to be. Scrape away all the myths and the political debate. All the sexism, all the stigma. And you have a perfectly safe medical procedure, that's an important option for a woman to have if she becomes pregnant before she's ready. (who's politicizing what PP?)

Medication abortion: This is where medication is used to do what what would happen naturally if you had a miscarriage. (PP are you equating a medical abortion to a miscarriage??)

Aspiration abortion: Uses a gentle suction to remove the pregnancy. A little tube that will empty out the contents of the uterus. And afterwards you get a snack, because we all need snacks!!!  (Got to "remove that pregnancy" or the "contents of the uterus". Never use the word unborn child or fetus. Better not to go there eh PP??)

Dilation and evacuation. For pregnancies that are a little farther along. On the second day you will have the pregnancy removed. (there's that removal of that darned pregnancy again)

I definitely think that all the stigma and politicization about abortion can make things that more complicated. (still not politicizing PP??)

And from the one on Emergency contraception.

There is a little mythy myth floating around out there, that Emergency Contraception is the same thing as an abortion pill. That's not true. It only prevents pregnancy if you're not already pregnant. It's not going to do anything if you are already pregnant. (Really PP??)

Super cheap marketing tool for Planned Parenthood. I have to admit, they're smart, those Planned Parenthood folks. Get young women to use social media to market their pre-born baby killing services. (OMG PP is so, like, amazing!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!)

ATIP: CIDA and IPPF (Part 4)

Attached are the appendixes which provides the details of the proposed deliverables by IPPF for the Muskoka initiative on maternal and child health initiative.

Click on each picture, print, then place them side by side to get the full table.

ATIP: CIDA and IPPF (Part 3)

Below I have scanned the Programme Goals and Objectives of the proposal to CIDA from IPPF for funding from the Government’s Muskoka initiative on maternal and child health initiative approved by Minister Oda (pages 7, 8, 9, part of page 10, and part of page 12).

I also referred to some of what is below, in my previous entry.

Sorry for the length of this entry.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Programme Goal
All people, particularly the poor, marginalized, the socially excluded, and underserved are able to exercise their right, to make free and informed choices about their SRH, and have access to SRH information, sexuality education and high quality services, including family planning, all of which are stigma-free, sensitive to gender dynamics and sexual diversity, and offer a positive approach to sexuality. (10)

Objectives
1. To ensure access to IPPF quality-assured, client-oriented, rights-based and integrated package of SRH services including family planning, ante-natal care, STI prevention and care including HIV;
2. To ensure affordable community based outreach services and easy access to services, with a focus on the poor, marginalized and socially-excluded, stigmatized and underserved women and young people;
3. To ensure contraceptive and RH commodity security and to promote under-utilized and new contraceptive technologies;
4. To strengthen health systems through strong partnerships

Expected Results (11)
In partnership with CIDA, IPPF will deliver a comprehensive response to the Muskoka Initiative at two levels - globally and at country level. Globally, IPPF will drive the delivery of expected results and contribute to:
o Preventing the deaths of 1.3 million children under five years of age;
o Preventing the deaths of 64,000 mothers;
o Giving access to modern methods of family planning for 12 million couples


Through funding from the Government of Canada, IPPF's network of service delivery MAs based in 5 ountries (12) will deliver:
• 307,273 unintended pregnancies averted; (13)
• 1,229,092 CYPs provided by method including 98,971 IUD, 191,450 sterilization, 623,706 oral contraceptive pills, 140,511 condoms, 134,104 Injectables, 28,964 Implants, 10,438 Other Barrier Methods, 89 Other Hormonal Methods;
• 3,676,063 SRH services (excluding family planning) and provided by type of service: 186,623 gynaecological, 1,551,019 maternal and child health, 476,518 STI and RTI, 697,166 HIV and AIDS, 436,459 other SRH medical, 571 urological, 35,161 infertility;
• 5,738,052 SRH services including 3,245,485 family planning services provided to young people under age 25;
• 7,090,090 family planning (FP) services provided by method provided by type of service: 37,943 IUD, 19,192 sterilization, 5,196,801 oral contraceptive pills, 1,190,709 condoms, 511,674 Injectables, 67,440 Implants, 18,256 Other Barrier Methods and 568 Other Hormonal Methods;
• 1,321,938 HIV-related services provided along the prevention to care continuum
• 70 estimated percentage of Member Association's clients who are poor, marginalized and/or socially excluded.


A Logical Framework is presented at Annex 1 to demonstrate the programme's goal, objectives, idicators, targets, and contribution to the MDGs. Annex 2 includes a breakdown of these figures by member Association.


Strategy and Approach
IPPF proposes to scale-up services focused on delivering a core set of health outputs in 5 countries. We will drive the delivery of expected results in line with the Muskoka Initiative through IPPF's strategic Goal on Access. Our approach builds on IPPF's global experience of comprehensive family planning programming and the provision of integrated services, lessons learned and best practice hared among our network of MAs.


Objective 1: To ensure access to IPPF quality-assured, client-oriented, rights-based and itegrated package of SRH services including family planning, ante-natal care, STI prevention and care including HIV

Over 31 million clients, men or women, married or unmarried, young or old visit our 64,500 service delivery points every year. Every client visiting an IPPF service delivery point can expect to receive a holistic and integrated package of services. Clients arriving at our clinics for contraceptive services will typically be informed about other common SRH issues. They will also be offered the choice to be asked a set of rapid and standardized screening questions to elicit STI symptoms, safer sex practice, including condom use and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), risks of gender-based violence, and as appropriate reproductive cancer screening history, such as cervical cancer. Additionally, every client coming to the service delivery points for non-contraceptive services will be asked about their contraceptive practices, family size and child-spacing desires. These services are essential integrated package of SRH services that IPPF MAs endeavour to make available at the primary level of care.


Our service delivery points are designed to be non-intimidating, as well as user and youth-friendly. They offer a safe space free from stigma and judgment. Our SRH information and services emphasize a positive approach to sexuality. In settings with a shortage of doctors, and whenever safe and effective, we train and provide supportive supervision to community-based health workers and mid-level providers to deliver specific procedures. This ensures that clients in resource-poor settings are still able to access high quality services from trained service providers.


• Quality-assured, client-centred care
Quality-assured and client-centred care means that clients' needs guide the planning and implementation of our services. IPPF services meet clinical standards, which require the commitment and expertise of clinic managers and service providers. We believe that clinic and programme tanagers, service providers and clients, all play a role in achieving quality-assured, client-centred care.

IPPF will strengthen the quality of care at service delivery points, taking into account our commitment to a holistic, no-missed opportunity and stigma-free approach through providing:


o Updated self-assessment checklist tool to reflect most recent technical developments.
o Guidelines and job-aids based on current global standards (WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria, Selected Practice Recommendations, or Decision Making Tool for Family Planning, including the tool for people living with HIV)
o A revised Quality of Care tools through revised edition of `IPPF Medical Service Delivery Guidelines, (14) which complements 'IPPF's Global Handbook on Family Planning. (15)


Objective 2: To ensure affordable community based outreach services and easy access to ervices, with a focus on the„poor marginalized and socially-excluded, stigmatized and underved women and young people

IPPF MAs are committed to ensuring easy access to services by using an integrated model of service delivery points, which are conveniently available to everyone, especially to the poor, marginalized, socially-excluded, stigmatized and underserved. All services are of quality, free of unnecessary administrative and medical barriers. People can choose from a wide range of SRH services and a large mix of contraceptive methods.


• Innovative outreach channels
Our MAs offer services through multiple channels, including static and mobile clinics, community-based distributors, retail outlets and other public and private-sector providers. IPPF's community-based health workers offer information and education as well as contraceptives such as condoms and oral contraceptives. They refer people to clinics for other contraceptives and SRH services. IPPF offer clients a larger mix of contraceptives, and in particular long-acting and reversible contraceptives (LARC), such as IUDs and implants, through mobile clinics.


We build the capacity of primary health care public and private-sector providers on new contraceptive technologies, supply them with contraceptive commodities where needed, and offer them regular technical support and supportive supervision. As grassroots organizations part of the national health system, IPPF MAs are committed to strengthening the health care system where they operate.


• Information and education
IPPF's high quality and accessible services are pointless if people do not know about them or want them. Demand generation will be conducted through a combination of channels, such as mass media, interpersonal and community channels, in order to maximize the effect of behaviour change communication (BCC). Instead of one-time BCC campaigns, we will ensure sustained healthy behaviour through continuous communication materials and campaigns.


Objective 3: To ensure contraceptive and reproductive health commodity security and to promote under-utilized and new contraceptive technologies

IPPF aims to deliver a continuous supply of a variety of contraceptives, so that clients can choose their preferred method without interruption whenever they want. Other SRH commodities needed to implement the integrated SRH package, such as antimicrobials for STI treatment, will also be secured. IPPF and our MAs will promote and offer under-utilized and new technologies:


o Oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptive pills and condoms are known to be challenging to use perfectly and consistently. These short acting methods will be readily available and accessible to people using such methods, including young people. J
o LARC (16) and surgical methods such as IUDs, vasectomy and bilateral tubal ligation, based on the needs of communities and the training needs of service providers.
o We will continue to participate in research and development initiatives with partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), by piloting new service delivery models and contraceptive technologies, such as the Uniject injectable contraceptive that will be available by 2012. (17)


Objective 4: To strengthen health systems through strong partnerships.

IPPF MAs will continue to build on partnerships with key agencies, including Ministries of Health
(MOH), and UNFPA Country Offices to strengthen health systems. Most is participate in me annual planning meetings of their respective UNFPA Country Office and MOH, and play an important role as their implementing partner. (18) Many MAs play a critical role as national service providers on behalf of the government, with whom they have contractual arrangements.


Throughout the proposed initiative, IPPF MAs will continue to partner with key agencies, including
MOH and UNFPA Country Offices. In addition we will strengthen our collaboration with other national partners, such as:

o The national branch of the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO), with whom IPPF also has a global Memorandum of Understanding. Many of our MAs' volunteers belong to the national FIGO branch, and will provide technical assistance through competency-based training on new contraceptives or quality of care supervision to our service providers;
o Public and private-sector providers will play an important role as implementing partners of the social franchising of our integrated SRH delivery models. We will give emphasis on training them on under-utilized and new contraceptive technologies;
o Training institutions, including nursing, midwifery, medical schools and MOH, to ensure that their pre-service training curricula are up-to-date with regard to contraceptive and SRH technologies, and quality of care standards.


10 IPPF Strategic Framework Goal 4: Access to SRH services.
11 The program expected results are based on expected results in 5 countries as presented in the Logical Framework Analysis at Annex 1
12 Member Associations selected work in OECD DAC recipient countries
13 Number of Pregnancies Averted is currently calculated using the impact calculator. The Impact Calculator is currently being used by the Futures Group to harmonize Couple Years of Protection conversion. Multiples of the three are generally used worldwide by USAID, WHO, and MSI. IPPF uses the lowest values so as to not inflate performance. If IPPF used the highest, its CYP would be 45 per cent higher.
14 'IPPF Medical Service Delivery' can be accessed at
http://www.ippf.org/en/Resources/Guides-toolkits/IPPF+Medical+and+Service+Delivery+Guidelines.htm
15 Global Handbook on Family Planning' can be accessed at
http://www.ippf.org/NR/rdonlyres/E8AA38AE-AE7A-4D35-BD57-A55D2B4BE7A5/0/Family_Planning_Global_Handbook.pdf
16 LARC and surgical methods are known to be more cost-effective in terms of couple years of protection (CYP) than short-term methods, such as condoms, Injectables and oral contraceptive pills. LARC methods may be suitable for many clients but require frequent repeat visits.
17 Uniject has an integrated hypodermic needle and a small squeezable bubble-like container, Uniject has the potential to improve the safety and acceptability of injectable contraceptives given by service providers, and in particular by community-based distributors. Uniject will be easier for clients to self-administer their injectable contraceptive in the privacy of their home, which is in line with the demedicalization philosophy of IPPF.
18 UNFPA-IPPF collaboration is backed up by a global Memorandum of Understanding and action plan that was updated in July 2010 by both agencies.


(and this from page 12):


Eligible Countries
IPPF will deliver a comprehensive response to the Muskoka Initiative at the country level in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mali, Sudan and Tanzania. IPPF's Secretariat, through joint collaboration with Central and Regional Offices, will drive expected results globally in line with the Muskoka Initiative through IPPF's Strategic Goal on Access. The Secretariat will also manage the programme through offering technical expertise on comprehensive family planning and other SRH services, and the development, harmonization and implementation of the programme's main components. Central Office and Regional Offices will also support selected MAs in terms of technical assistance and capacity building. The Secretariat will support implementation in areas such as financial and human resources management, resource mobilization and monitoring and evaluation. 75 per cent of the programme budget will be allocated to MAs to deliver health outcomes in the 6 countries. The 6 MAs all fall into the list of 49 low-income countries identified in the Taskforce on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems (22) the Muskoka Initiative (23) and CIDA priority countries.

IPPF will ensure that no MA will use Canadian funds for abortion activity. In the past certain Governments have placed various legislative or policy restrictions on the use of funds, including for induced abortion services. IPPF has procedures in place that can immediately be reinstated to ensure that no funds from the Government of Canada are used for abortion services. This includes he holding of funds in a separate bank account.


22 The Taskforce on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems identifies 49 low-income countries where investments in national health systems would save four million children and babies annually, and up to 322,000 maternal deaths, and 193,000 adult HIV deaths.
23 The Muskoka Initiative is focused on achieving significant progress on health systems strengthening in countries with high burdens of maternal and under-five child mortality and an unmet need for family planning.

ATIP: CIDA and IPPF (Part 2)

Further to my last entry on my Access to Information and Freedom (ATIP) request to CIDA...

I actually made two ATIP requests.

My first request asked for the signed funding agreement between CIDA and IPPF for the $6 Million funding IPPF would receive, as part of the Government’s Muskoka initiative on maternal and child health initiative approved by Minister Oda. I was informed that the agreement hadn’t been signed yet.

So I revised my first ATIP request, and asked to see the actual IPPF proposal itself, since we had heard that IPPF would receive $6 million.

I received back the 54 page proposal. It came with the following qualification in CIDA’s covering letter:
"For your information, IPPF's recent proposal does not reflect the terms of the approved program and CIDA has not yet signed a funding agreement with IPPF."

We do know that IPPF asked for $6 million, and news reports said they will get $6 million. Therefore, I imagine the funding agreement will be pretty close to the proposal but that remains to be confirmed.

Sprinkled throughout the proposal, is the mention of all kinds of contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and IUDs, including charts of how many of these will be provided.

Many consider emergency contraceptives and IUDs to be abortifacients.

On Page 12, I learned that:
"IPPF will ensure that no MA [member association] will use Canadian funds for abortion activity. In the past certain Governments have placed various legislative or policy restrictions on the use of funds, including for induced abortion services. IPPF has procedures in place that can immediately be reinstated to ensure that no funds from the Government of Canada are used for abortion services. This includes the holding of funds in a separate bank account."

What I'd like to know is, what mechanisms will be in place on the ground, to ensure that abortion services are not provided or referred?

On Page 7 under Program objectives and Components, Programme Goal:
"All people, particularly the poor, marginalized, the socially excluded, and undeserved are able to exercise their right, to make free and informed choices about their SRH [Sexual Reproductive Health], and have access to SRH information, sexuality education and high quality services, including family planning, all of which stigma-free, sensitive to gender dynamics and sezual diversity, and offer a positive approach to sexuality."

This above type of wording permeates the entire proposal.

On Page 8 under Program objectives and Components, Quality-assured, Client Centred care:
"IPPF will strengthen the quality of care at service delivery points, taking into account our commitment to a holistic, no-missed opportunity and stigma-free approach through providing:

Updated self-assessment checklist tool to reflect most recent technical developments.

Guidelines and job-aids based on current global standards (WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria, Selected Practice Recommendations, or Decision Making Tool for Family Planning, including the tool for people living with HIV)

A revised Quality of Care tools through revised edition of `IPPF Medical Service Delivery Guidelines, (14) which complements 'IPPF's Global Handbook on Family Planning. (15)"

Another question I have: If abortion services are not being provided, then why would they provide these manuals which discuss all aspects of abortion, at the "service delivery points"?

Here are a few interesting items from these guidebooks (Note that the guidebooks themselves are not part of the proposal, they are only referred to in the proposal. With a total of 840 pages in these two guidebooks, I'm sure there are a lot of other pieces of fascinating abortion information tidbits):

Chapter 10 is on "Emergency Contraception". Note this: "Mode of action (some clients may need reassurance that emergency contraception is not an abortion)."

Chapter 11 is on "Diagnosis of Pregnancy": "In the event of pregnancy, determination of the gestational age is important to give the woman an estimated date of delivery. This determination is also useful in the diagnosis of certain pregnancy complications (e.g. ectopic pregnancy or threatened abortion). When a client is considering an abortion, information about gestational age helps the woman to make a decision, and where legal, is essential for selection of the appropriate technique."

Chapter 12: "Safe Abortion": "In circumstances where abortion is not against the law, health service providers should be trained and equipped to offer a safe and accessible service. Provision of, or referral for, abortion services is an essential part of women’s sexual and reproductive healthcare: fulfilment of a woman’s right to choice should be a high priority for such programmes. As with all sexual and reproductive health services, the client’s right to confidentiality and privacy must be sustained."

Chapter 13 is on "Options for unintended pregnancy":
"HIV does not necessarily have a negative impact on the pregnancy but might have an adverse effect on the health of the mother especially if her CD4 count is low and ARVs are not available. HIV also leads to increased rates of complications after delivery and is associated with an increase in maternal mortality. If the client is currently pregnant but does not wish to continue her pregnancy, she should be referred to safe abortion services, where legally permitted. Postpartum contraception should be offered as an option for those who do not wish to become pregnant again".

These paragraphs from the guide books, guide the IPPF people (or MAs) on how to refer for abortion, where legal. But when abortion is not legal, what kind of advice do the IPPF people give to their clients?

My next entry will disclose more information from the IPPF proposal.

ATIP: CIDA and IPPF (more to come...)

There is a best way to get money from CIDA--and there is a worst way.

The best way involves telling CIDA you’ll give out lots and lots and lots of condoms to third world countries. International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) did this, along with promising all kinds of other contraception methods/abortifacients including emergency contraception and IUDs.

According to a recent Access to Information Request I did with CIDA, I learned that in IPPF’s proposal for $6 million of funding, IPPF promised to deliver :

1,229,092 Couple years of protection (CYP)

7,090,090 family planning services (FP)

3,738,052 sexual reproductive health (SRH) services (excluding family planning) and

5,738,052 SRH services provided to young people under the age of 25 (including family planning)

The worst way to get funding is to be MaterCare. Their applications for funding, have now been denied for eleven years in a row.

In their 2004 refusal from CIDA, MaterCare were told that one of the reasons their funding request was refused was because—are you ready for this? Because their project [West African regional Birth Trauma Centre in Ghana] was:
“aimed at curing the problem rather than preventing it from taking place”.

MaterCare was trying to cure a problem of maternal child mortality. Oh my goodness, what were they thinking?

In Matercare’s 2008 refusal, CIDA said:
“there was concern that MaterCare’s approach to the subject matter is not consistent with CIDA’s policies on maternal health.CIDA's approach to improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality includes access to reproductive health care and family planning, themes that were not addressed in MaterCare’s proposal...”

Why? Because MaterCare won’t give out lots and lots and lots of condoms. Simple really.

And how does birth control save women’s lives? They don’t, not according to MaterCare:

“Abortion and birth control are irrelevant to reducing maternal mortality as most deaths occur during the last 3 months of pregnancy, during labour and delivery and one week afterwards. It is egregious to suggest to mothers that in order to save their own lives they must kill their babies, rather than to provide them with safe comprehensive maternity care. Early abortion is being promoted, by oral medication, and surgical means using manual vacuum aspirators (MVAs). The problem with these procedures is that having been given the pills or having undergone and MVA, the mother is sent home where bleeding or infection may result but she has no access to medical follow-up. Many African mothers are anemic due to malnutrition and malaria and with post abortion haemorrhage or infection death may well occur. In addition, these MVA kits are supposed to be for one time use only but as we know with injection needles and AIDS there is no assurance that they will not be used again, and as they cannot be sterilized, further use may result in spreading infection and leading to more maternal deaths.

To deny the provision of essential obstetrics is a form of violence against women. Violence may be by commission i.e. a person is physically assaulted in some way, or by omission i.e. by culpable negligence not to have done what is necessary – in this case, providing essential care during pregnancy and childbirth.”

See here for MaterCare’s full statement released in October last year on how they continue to be banned from receiving funding from CIDA.

Which brings me back to IPPF and my recent ATIP, on which I will write more later.