The abortion law in Thailand has been expanded

In February the revised abortion law in Thailand came into effect. Abortion is now available on request up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, and after 12 weeks under a number of conditions.

SAAF grantee partner Tamtang Group ([link removed]) has been a key part of the advocacy movement pushing for this change, and is continuing to fight for improved access and implementation of the legal framework. They have recently launched a podcast ([link removed]) to share information and real stories from people who have had abortions in Thailand.
Read about Tamtang's work in the New York Times ([link removed])

Malawi abortion bill delayed once again

In February it looked like the long awaited Termination of Pregnancy Bill ([link removed]) would finally be discussed by the Parliament in Malawi, where unsafe abortion leads to the loss of many women's lives.

SAAF grantee partner CSJ News ([link removed]) has been campaigning tirelessly to encourage MPs across the country to take a stand, and support the bill. Unfortunately, the discussion was yet again postponed, and reproductive rights groups in the country continue to share the necessity of changing this harmful law.

"Despite the stiff opposition, including being labelled sinners, murderers and agents of darkness, we are focused on our vision of creating a Malawi nation where no one should die from unsafe abortion."
Brian Ligomeka, Director of CSJ News

Read Brian's blogpost ([link removed])

Current funding opportunities

SAAF has been able to secure extended funding for a number of current grantee partners and is working hard to secure additional funding to support new organisations. In the meantime, we recognise that many NGOs and community groups are in need of financial support, and may be feeling the effects of the pandemic on their work. We are therefore sharing some funding opportunities which may be relevant.

For regular updates on funding we recommend following SAAF on Twitter ([link removed]) .

* Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition ([link removed]) - safe abortion supplies (no deadline stated)
* The Doria Feminist Fund ([link removed]) - feminist organisations in the MENA region (no deadline stated)
* Robert Carr Fund ([link removed]) - civil society networks (deadline 11 July)
* Digital Defenders Partnership ([link removed]) - incident emergency funding and more (no deadline stated)
* Urgent Action Fund ([link removed]) - women and trans* human rights (no deadline stated)
* Various further SRHR related funding opportunities can be found on the IPPF website here ([link removed])

Grantee partner spotlight - Women's Legal Centre

The Women’s Legal Centre ([link removed]) (WLC) in South Africa has been funded by SAAF since January last year. As an African feminist legal centre, they are particularly focused on advancing womxn’s* rights and equality through strategic litigation, advocacy, and education and training. They defend and protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalised womxn, in particular Black womxn, and promote their access to justice and equitable resources.

When it comes to abortion in South Africa, although the law is good on paper, many people still face barriers to safe, legal services. WLC use their legal expertise to defend the universal right to reproductive health care in pushing for better provision of quality services and increased information on abortion rights.

Currently, WLC is pursuing a case brought by an anti-abortion organisation which attempts to obstruct access to care – you can read more in Mandi Mudarikwa's blogpost for Girls Globe here ([link removed]) .

*WLC uses the term “womxn” as the term is inclusive of all persons who identify themselves as womxn. It further serves as a feminist reminder of the rejection of patriarchal values attached to the gender binary.

Read Mandi's blogpost ([link removed])

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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