Planned Parenthood Federation Of Canada Expands International Work Through Grant From The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

OTTAWA -- The Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada (PPFC) announced today that it has been awarded CDN $760 thousand over three years to build public and private sector support in Canada for international programs that improve the sexual and reproductive health of women, men and youth in developing countries it was announced today. These programs address the needs of teens and are designed to promote sexual health and to prevent unintended pregnancies and the spread of STIs/HIV.

"This funding will allow PPFC to become a serious player in the international field of sexual and reproductive health," Federation executive director Bonnie Johnson. "Our goal is to leverage ten times the amount of the grant through the public and private sectors." To coordinate PPFC's effort, Ms. Johnson announced the appointment of Dr. Sona Sethi as PPFC's Director of International Development.

"We plan to expand our programs into Asia and Africa and reach the poorest women and children who are asking for our assistance," Dr. Sethi said. "Working with our partner organizations, we will join the international movement to meet an unmet need for family planning and reproductive rights in developing countries. This foundation grant will help to strengthen the capacity of international family planning groups to respond."

As acknowledged leaders in sexual and reproductive health education, family planning associations worldwide are being asked by governments and international development bodies to take the lead in expanding sexual and reproductive health education. PPFC has achieved international expertise in family planning, working with partners in the Caribbean and Latin America for the past 15 years on innovative and effective programs and services for young people in schools, community associations and public media.

"I am thrilled to come home to the Planned Parenthood family and join the expert and committed people of Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada, promoting reproductive and sexual health among the poorest youth and women in the world. As we enter the new millennium, we hope to reach out to significantly more people through our international programs," said Dr. Sethi.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada (PPFC), with 28 affiliates in 68 communities across Canada, is the only national, non-governmental, volunteer organization in Canada whose principal concerns are sexual and reproductive health and rights. Our mission is to promote healthy sexuality throughout the human life cycle, and to support birth planning by assuring adequate education and services for all Canadians. PPFC and its 150 partners in the International Planned Parenthood Federation provide the same rights and services to women and men worldwide. Visit PPFC on the Internet.