We are witnessing unraveling humanitarian crises all over the globe. In Southern Africa, cyclones have left nearly a million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. More than a million people have been forced to flee Ukraine as Putin’s forces continue attacks, and in Ethiopia, women and girls are subject to violence as a weapon of war. Despite all this, International Women’s Day is a day to pause and reflect on the role women play in families, communities and the world. It is a day to consider how connected we are to each other, whether contending with a global pandemic or human aggression and how the issues we care about are linked—war, climate justice, and reproductive justice. And, at the center of it all are women. 

Women and girls disproportionately bear the brunt of humanitarian crises, whether caused by conflict or by climate. They are at greater risk of sexual violence and unintended pregnancy, making abortion care crucial. And yet their needs and voices are often neglected when working to mitigate the impact of crises.   

On this International Women’s Day, let’s remember the effect these varied crises have on women and girls, let’s hear their pleas to not forget their needs and make space for their ideas and solutions, and, at long last, let’s value the lives of women. At Ipas, we’ve been putting women at the center of our programs for nearly 50 years, ensuring that women and girls—and all people who can get pregnant—have access to comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortion and contraception. For International Women’s Day, I invite you to read about our impact, to join in the fight for gender and reproductive justice, and to consider making a donation to support this work. 

In solidarity, 

Anu Kumar 
Ipas President and CEO