Global – Advancing sexual and reproductive health through curriculum reform: reflections and learnings

FIGO
October 1, 2026

For the past two years, the Collaborate for Women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together (C4W ACCT) initiative has worked to strengthen capacity and national uptake of competency-based education in family planning (FP) and comprehensive abortion care (CAC) across five countries in Africa and Asia. Interprofessional collaboration among OBGYNs and midwives has also been central to these efforts, helping to advance sustainable improvements in women’s health.

As phase 2 of the project draws to a close, the five participating national OBGYN societies – in Bangladesh (OGSB), DRC (SCOGO), Mozambique (AMOG), Nepal (NESOG) and Sierra Leone (SLAGO) – reflect on the progress achieved, the lessons learned and the crucial role professional societies play in advancing curriculum reform and improving Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/advancing-sexual-and-reproductive-health-through-curriculum-reform-reflections-and-learnings

01.10.2026

Commentary

C4W ACCT

Collaborate for women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together

FIGO

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

Building on C4W: Strengthening Midwifery Education for Family Planning and Comprehensive Abortion Care

ICM
15 September 2026

The Collaborate for Women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together (C4W) initiative is continuing its work to expand access to high-quality Family Planning (FP) and Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) for women and girls through stronger collaboration between midwives and obstetrician-gynaecologists (OB/GYNs).

In this second phase, which is continuing throughout 2026, ICM is collaborating with the World Health Organization’s Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP/WHO) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) to provide technical assistance through ICM’s national member associations in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Continued: https://internationalmidwives.org/building-on-c4w-family-planning-and-abortion-care/

15.09.2026

Commentary

C4W initiative

Collaborate for women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together

International Confederation of Midwives

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

midwifery and abortion

midwives and abortion

World Health Organization

Africa – Championing interprofessional collaboration in women’s healthcare

23 September 2025
Vedrana Koren, Senior Project Coordinator – FIGO

From 2-4 September, OBGYNs, midwives and representatives of government, civil society and women’s advocacy groups convened in Nairobi, Kenya, for the first high-level meeting of the Collaborate for Women: Abortion and Contraceptive Care Together (C4W ACCT) initiative between FIGO, ICM and WHO/HRP.

Days one and two of the meeting were global in scope, considering how questions of gender, social norms and interprofessional collaboration impact on women’s health. The sessions started with some keynote speeches, including a powerful address from our President, Prof. Anne Kihara, on the importance of a team-based approach to healthcare that keeps the woman at the centre.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/championing-interprofessional-collaboration-womens-healthcare

23.09.2025

Anne Kihara

C4W ACCT

Collaborate for women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together

Transforming abortion care starts with education

Global partners unite to strengthen collaboration and build a skilled, respectful rights-based health workforce

22 September 2025
World Health Organization

As countries strive to improve access to quality family planning and comprehensive abortion care, competency-based education for key health care providers is emerging as a critical strategy to ensure they are not only knowledgeable, but also practically equipped to deliver respectful, women-centered, rights-based care to everyone, everywhere.

Why competency matters
A recent three-day convening brought together midwives, obstetrician-gynaecologists, civil society representatives, and global health experts from six countries – Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, and Sierra Leone for the first high-level meeting of the Collaborate for Women, Abortion and Contraception Care Together (C4W ACCT) initiative.

Continued: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/transforming-abortion-care-starts-with-education

22.09.2025

Commentary

C4W ACCT

Collaborate for women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together

International Confederation of Midwives

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

World Health Organization

Global

Health

Human Rights

Strengthening Midwifery and Sexual & Reproductive Health in Sierra Leone

10 September 2025
International Confederation of Midwives

Midwife advisors from the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) recently travelled to Freetown, Sierra Leone, to work alongside the Sierra Leone Midwifery Association (SLMA) as part of the Collaborate for Women (C4W) Abortion and Contraception care Together (ACCT) initiative. Their visit marked the beginning of a series of capacity-building workshops designed to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women and girls, in line with Competency 2 of the Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice.

Over three days, 31 participants, including midwifery educators and clinical midwives, gathered to strengthen their clinical skills and understanding of rights-based care. Many had travelled long distances from remote rural provinces, where they are often the only skilled providers available. While already experienced in delivering essential services, they were eager to strengthen their capacity to provide family planning (FP) and Post-abortion Care (PAC) services and protect women’s autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality, and to ensure that care is always based on free and informed consent.

Continued: https://internationalmidwives.org/strengthening-midwifery-and-sexual-reproductive-health-in-sierra-leone/

10.09.2025

Commentary

Collaborate for women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together

Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice

International Confederation of Midwives

midwives and abortion

Offences Against the Person Act of 1861

post-abortion care

Sierra Leone Midwifery Association

ICM and FIGO Collaborating for Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

International Confederation of Midwives
6 September 2025

From 02-04 September 2025, midwives, obstetrician-gynaecologists and civil society representing global organisations as well as professional organisations from Nepal, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, and Mozambique and Kenya gathered in Nairobi for the first high-level meeting of the Collaborate for Women, Abortion and Contraception Care Project meeting. Over three days, participants reflected on achievements to date, confronted challenges in collaboration, and worked collectively to shape the future of the initiative. What emerged was a strong sense of shared purpose: midwives, doctors, and women’s advocates aligning around a joint vision for advancing FP and CAC services, guided by equality, accountability, and respect.

Continued: https://internationalmidwives.org/icm-and-figo-collaborating-for-access-to-sexual-and-reproductive-health-services/

06.09.2025