Young people in caps and masks hold up signs in support of safe abortion rights
Young people from WHRRO in Sierra Leone advocate for safe abortion

A year of challenges and opportunities

This year has certainly not been easy. All around the world we have experienced loss, and a shift in our normal way of life. Yet, having seen the way communities have come together to support one another, we have also seen solidarity and kindness.

Nearly all of the 84 organisations we have provided funding to this year have experienced some disruption to their work due to the pandemic. We have been in awe of their dedication to keep serving communities in need. Below you can find just a few examples of how SAAF grantee partners have continued their life-saving work in the face of adversity.
 
Celebrating advocacy wins
People sit on the floor holding green scarves above their head to support legalisation of abortion
Pro-choice campaigners celebrate in Argentina
After years of campaigns to remove harmful restrictions to safe abortion in Argentina, things are looking positive. On the 11th December, after delays due to COVID, congress voted in favour of a bill to legalise abortion. This will go to a vote in the Senate on 29th December, meaning abortion could be legal in Argentina by the end of the year! 
 
"We are very happy, two years after suffering defeat in the Senate, the green tide is still in the streets with the joy of fighting for this right that is denied to us"                                SAAF grantee partner Socorristas En Red
 
We also congratulate Tamtang for their part in pushing for improved abortion legislation in Thailand. Thanks to sustained activism the law will be liberalised in February next year. You can read more about their advocacy work here.
 
Keeping abortion care accessible to all
Peace Foundation Pakistan providing essential health care
Despite restrictions to travel and gatherings, grantee partners have ensured contraception and abortion services can continue through the pandemic. Many have found innovative ways to reach people - for example, Tusitukirewamu Group in Uganda starting offering free door to door bike deliveries of emergency contraception pills during lockdown.

And finding that the necessary three visits to a clinic for medical abortion is a huge barrier for many, especially during the pandemic, RPRV is piloting a new service delivery model in Georgia which you can read about here.

The photo above shows Peace Foundation in Pakistan using SAAF funded PPE equipment to ensure safe and accessible services to those in remote villages.
Strengthening our work into 2021
People on a zoom call hold up their hands

"SAAF always consider us as a partner, NOT fund receiver. Working with SAAF, we feel honoured and respected" 
SAAF grantee partner interviewed for external evaluation

Without the ability to travel and meet face to face with grantee partners this year, the SAAF team has been making more connections online. As well as 'virtual visits' and adhoc meetings, we've also hosted an online global gathering which more than 70 people attended. Clearly there is an appetite for connection and sharing which will continue as the world awaits a COVID vaccine.

We have recently undertaken an external evaluation of SAAF and are eager to share the results early next year. We're pleased to see that SAAF is considered an "agile grant-making mechanism" and thank everyone who took part in this review.
We wish you all a relaxing end to the year and look forward to updating you on our work in 2021!
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.
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