New research: Quality provider-client interaction is key to enhancing abortion care in Uganda

Mapping the journey: enhancing abortion care in Uganda’s health systems

March 6, 2026
Published in Frontiers in Reproductive Health

This study looks at the experiences of 440 women who received abortion care at 13 Ipas Africa Alliance-supported public health facilities in nine districts of Uganda. It identifies factors associated with high levels of client satisfaction and examines how satisfaction levels influenced the uptake of abortion and postabortion contraception services.

Main takeaway – Positive engagement with providers was strongly associated with higher satisfaction levels and increases the likelihood that clients will return for future services and recommend the facility to others. Respectful, supportive interactions between providers and clients are an essential step toward delivering high-quality, equitable, and respectful abortion care in Uganda’s health system.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/uganda-abortioncare-research/

06.03.2026

Expanded Global Gag Rule is a major blow to global health and human rights

The newly expanded rule further advances an extreme anti-rights agenda

Ipas
January 29, 2026

The Jan. 27 expansion of the Global Gag Rule is just the latest action by the current U.S. administration to decimate global health and human rights.

“This policy weaponizes U.S. foreign aid to force the administration’s harmful agenda on people around the world,” says Anu Kumar, Ipas President and CEO. The newly expanded Global Gag Rule will use the power of all non-military U.S. foreign funds to restrict work by a wide array of actors on gender equity, LGBTQI+ rights, and diversity, equity and inclusion—as well as abortion.

“Bullying countries into complying with anti-rights and extremist ideology is despicable and unacceptable,” Kumar says. “The imperialist goals of this administration are on full display in this policy’s conditions to receive U.S. foreign assistance.”

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/expanded-global-gag-rule-blow-to-global-health/

29.01.2026

Commentary

Anu Kumar

Dr. Jean-Claude Mulunda

America’s new top health diplomat has strong opinions on abortion and gender

December 19, 2025
By Jonathan Lambert

America's new top health diplomat is Bethany Kozma. The job she took on this week — leading the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Global Affairs — does not have a high profile. And Kozma herself is not a familiar name in the world of public health.

But it is a position with power — and Kozma has a record of public statements and activism on health issues, equating abortion with "murder" and campaigning against gender-affirming care.

Continued: https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/12/19/g-s1-102765/americas-new-top-health-diplomat-has-strong-opinions-on-abortion-and-gender

Kenya’s national study reveals urgent gaps in reproductive health—and a path forward

Carolyne Okallo, Youth and Communications Advisor, Ipas Africa Alliance
May 9, 2025

A recently released national report details a study highlighting gaps in Kenya’s sexual and reproductive health services—and gives compelling evidence that expanding access to modern and effective family planning and contraception is crucial to preventing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion methods.

Ipas Africa Alliance was part of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) that provided support for the study, “Incidence of Induced Abortions and the Severity of Abortion-related Complications in Kenya”. The joint study conducted by the Ministry of Health, the African Population and Health Research Center and Guttmacher Institute outlines the systemic changes needed to improve women’s reproductive health in Kenya.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/kenyas-national-study-reveals-urgent-gaps-in-reproductive-health-and-a-path-forward/

09.05.2025

Research

African Population and Health Research Center

In Somalia, Ipas and partners create a roadmap to transform reproductive health

Carolyne Okallo, Youth and Communications Advisor, Ipas Africa Alliance
May 9, 2025

In March 2025, a broad spectrum of key stakeholders gathered in Mogadishu, Somalia, to discuss how to build a sustainable ecosystem for maternal and reproductive health care. A strategic roadmap emerged from the multi-day event, along with a shared commitment by stakeholders to implement the plan and transform the country’s maternal and reproductive health landscape.

Overlapping climate crises and armed conflicts in Somalia have resulted in a high percentage of women and girls with urgent reproductive health needs. Within this context, Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Health hosted this groundbreaking dialogue, which was facilitated by Ipas Africa Alliance and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Attendees included government leaders, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, hospitals, academic institutions and media partners.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/in-somalia-ipas-and-partners-create-a-roadmap-to-transform-reproductive-health/

09.05.2025

Commentary

Carolyne Okallo

Dr. Abdulkadir Wehliye

Dr. JE Musoba Kitui

International Rescue Committee

These 7 changemakers are advancing reproductive justice despite tremendous challenges

March 7, 2025
Ipas

The fight for reproductive justice is facing especially hard times, and the path ahead will not be easy. But the truth is that we’ve already made incredible progress, and we know how to keep moving forward.

In the past 30 years, 60 countries have changed their abortion laws—and only four decreased access. We at Ipas worked in many of those countries that expanded abortion rights. We saw firsthand that the fight is never easy—and never over. Behind historic gains like abortion law change, health centers that offer high-quality abortion care, and communities that support every person’s bodily autonomy are years of hard work, resistance, persistence and advocates who continue, step by step, toward their goal—no matter what.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/7-changemakers-advancing-reproductive-justice/

5 ways youth are powerful advocates for reproductive justice

August 7, 2024
IPAS

When it comes to sexual and reproductive health, youth are their own best advocates—driving change, raising awareness and pushing for the health care and information they need most.

That’s why Ipas empowers young leaders to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights in their communities and globally. We support youth-led campaigns for abortion law change, train young peer educators, and partner with youth-led organizations that bring innovative solutions. We know young people are powerful advocates for reproductive justice because we see it firsthand every day.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/5-ways-youth-are-powerful-advocates-for-reproductive-justice/

Bottlenecks in the law against abortion fueling deaths in post abortion care

Monday, April 29th, 2024
By George Kebaso

Remove hurdles that stand in the way of safe abortion for women in the country, especially teenagers, a group of civil society organisations and individual pharmacists have urged the government.

The argument is that even as the country’s laws have criminalised abortion, unintended pregnancies among young women in Kenya are still on the spiral, same as unsafe terminations of pregnancies, and increased trips to pharmacies for emergency contraceptives.

Continued: https://www.pd.co.ke/lifestyle/bottlenecks-in-the-law-against-abortion-fueling-deaths-in-post-abortion-care-231971/

Cleric in push for safe abortion in hope to end premature deaths

By Nathan Ochunge
Nov 13, 2023

When his name is mentioned, Reverend Johnson Bukachi conjures the image of a controversial preacher. He has been advocating for access to safe reproductive health services, such as safe abortion and family planning, in the conservative setting of Khwisero sub-county.

Reverend Bukachi, 69 and affiliated with the Church of God (East Africa), has undertaken a courageous journey in his quest to ensure women and girls of reproductive age can access these services without discrimination.

Continued: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/reproductive-health/article/2001485284/cleric-in-push-for-safe-abortion-in-hope-to-end-premature-deaths

13.11.2023

Kenya Demographic Health Survey

Volunteer Restoration of Hope Counselors Association

Kenya – Surviving incest, abortions: Kakamega’s struggle to protect girls

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

By Shaban Makokha

In the tranquil heart of Navakholo, Kakamega, a grim narrative unfolds – once shadowed by the specters of incest, teenage pregnancies, and the haunting tales of unsafe abortion.

Young girls find themselves entangled in pregnancies thrust upon them by older men, some of whom are guardians and relatives.

Continued: https://nation.africa/kenya/news/gender/surviving-incest-abortions-kakamega-s-struggle-to-protect-girls-4418232