** SAAF partners continue to provide essential support
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As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue around the world, we are witnessing the amazing resilience of SAAF grantee partners, determined not to leave anyone behind when it comes to reproductive care.

The World Health Organisation has confirmed that abortion is essential health care ([link removed]) and called for the removal of barriers to safe abortion access during the pandemic, including the implementation of telemedicine where possible.

Our partners are continuing to provide much needed information and care to people most in need, adapting their work to ensure services are safe and limit virus transmission. The photo above shows a health counselling session taking place at a mobile clinic delivered by Sustainable Development Organisation For Women ([link removed]) in Afghanistan, who SAAF started funding this year.

How we are adapting our work during the pandemic

As a funder, we have remained flexible during the pandemic, understanding that many organisations are facing obstacles due to restrictions on travel and gatherings. Our offer to cover PPE costs and other COVID related expenses has led to additional financial support for 20 grantee partners so far.

A survey of our grantee partners has shown that this flexibility was appreciated, with 93% of organisations reporting that they felt supported by SAAF during this time. One respondent said:

"At that moment we felt supported, we felt that SAAF cared for us, we did not feel alone. It inspired us to knock on other doors, besides the support it gave us in biosecurity materials, other donors joined to bring other support to our communities."

Check out SAAF's 2019 Annual Report
[link removed]
We recently shared our 2019 Annual Report which can now be viewed on the SAAF website. If you haven't already, have a look at the amazing achievements of SAAF grantee partners last year. Thanks to all those who provided information and photos!

Communicating about abortion
Creating visually appealing and non-stigmatising materials about abortion is not always easy! With the help of a designer and illustrator, SAAF created a series of templates and images for communication materials in English, French and Spanish.

So far, 40 organisations have reported using the materials, one example is CEHURD ([link removed]) in Uganda, who included the illustrations in their recent advocacy resource for suppliers of essential medicines ([link removed]) , pictured above.

SAAF grantee partner spotlight

Equifonia ([link removed]) , based in Veracruz, Mexico is celebrating its 10th anniversary working towards improving women's health and rights. Equifonia started their SAAF funded project at the start of this year, with a focus on supporting girls under the age of 15 who have become pregnant as a result of rape. They are working on state-wide guidelines for justice in healthcare for girls, including the right to access safe abortion care.

Equifonia has also been a key player in recent advocacy efforts to expand legal abortion across Mexico (where currrently it is only allowed in two states). They have just proposed another legal appeal ([link removed]) following the refusal of the Supreme Court ([link removed]) to relax the law.

News and updates

* We were extremely proud to see SAAF board member Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng's appointment as the UN Special Rapporteur on Health ([link removed]) . We wish her all the best in this position as a strong advocate for reproductive health and justice.
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* Many SAAF grantee partners have been featured in the media, providing updates on the impact of COVID-19 on access to contraception and safe abortion. For example, Hidden Pockets spoke to the Guardian ([link removed]) about calls to their helpline in India, and Women Promotion Centre , Mama Network and WGNRR were featured in the New York Times ([link removed]) .
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* In Brazil, the case of a 10 year old girl seeking abortion has made the headlines, with anti-abortion groups protesting outside the hospital. SAAF partner Anis ([link removed]) is quoted in the Guardian ([link removed]) saying that this behaviour has inadvertently boosted public debate about the need to decriminalise abortion.
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Mama Network have written a timely blogpost for Girls Globe ([link removed]) , about the way free hotlines across Africa are supporting safe abortion access during the pandemic.

SAAF is hosted by IPPF. If you wish to report anything which concerns you about our work, or the work of our grantee partners (such as abuse, fraud, malpractice) please consider using the confidential external incident reporting service IPPF SafeReport ([link removed]) .

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Copyright © Safe Abortion Action Fund 2020