Ipas DRC
Non-profit organization
Hello Mr/Mrs/Miss! I’m Nurse Nisa.
Ipas DRC leading a consortium to improve access to SRHR information and comprehensive abortion care
Sexuality Education
Humanitarian Settings
Ipas DRC is pleased to announce the signing of the partnership contract between the Netherlands Embassy to the DRC and a consortium led by Ipas comprising DKT DRC, MSI DRC, Youth Sprint, AFIA MAMA, (AFEAC) Women Lawyer Association, and the Magistrate Association.
This two-year partnership will aim at improving access to information about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and comprehensive abortion care (CAC) services in the Kinshasa and Tshopo Provinces. The consortium will also work to strengthen the capacity of the judiciary system to ensure access to SRHR including abortion services, enabling women to exercise their rights to the full extent of the law.
Many factors such as food insecurity, lack of access to education, gender-based violence, and inadequate health infrastructure contributed to the fragility of the health system and affected access to and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services. That’s why, through this new project, we want to contribute to building a sustainable abortion ecosystem by improving access to evidence-based SRHR information and quality CAC services, which are essential to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the DRC.”
This consortium not only reflects Ipas’ commitment to playing an active role in bringing lasting change and development to the region but also the expertise required to carry out the mission we have been given. In alignment with the Ipas’ goals, the consortium will work to improve the availability and quality of abortion care for women and girls and sustain it through a strengthened health system, including a pharmacist network and telemedicine initiatives, in Kinshasa and Tshopo. Moreover, altogether, we will work to improve and sustain the community social support and local judiciary system’s support for women’s bodily autonomy and access to safe abortion care.
For five years, Ipas DRC has been supporting community partners to raise awareness of the Maputo Protocol and share information about where women can access safe abortion and contraceptive services. Being a key element of its approach, Ipas will collaborate with Youth Sprint – a national coalition created by Ipas and composed of 24 communities and youth-led organizations across the DRC – and AFIA Mama, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and defending women’s rights in the DRC, through the lens of stopping gender violence. These two local organizations will build community social support for women and girls seeking abortion services.
Gender-Based Violence, family planning, and youth networks are essential sources of referrals for safe abortion care. Youth Sprint is pleased to be part of the consortium. We believe that connecting this project to local efforts will benefit women and girls who have been raped or found with a positive pregnancy test from the family planning center.