DSW attends ICFP 2025

In November, DSW, Youth for A Sustainable World (YSW), and DSW Tanzania attended the 7th International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) in Bogotá, Colombia. Hosted in Latin America for the first time under the theme “Equity Through Action,” the conference brought together over 3,000 participants from 128 countries to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all.

The timing of ICFP 2025 could not have been more critical. Over the past year, SRHR programmes have faced major disruption. From the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy to sweeping aid cuts and the dismantling of USAID; changes with immediate consequences for services and disproportionate impacts on women and girls. Against this backdrop, ICFP was a vital moment for the SRHR community to learn, connect, and build momentum. Colleagues from DSW, YSW, and DSW Tanzania contributed through posters, oral presentations, and panels.

On 4 November, DSW co-hosted a panel with GIZ titled “Financing for SRHR: Different Pathways to Secure Sustained Funding.” The session explored how to sustain SRHR funding amid shifting ODA landscapes. Speakers emphasised that while domestic resource mobilisation and innovative mechanisms, such as UNFPA’s Match Fund, are increasingly important, ODA remains a crucial part of the financing mix for the foreseeable future. Panellists also stressed the need to frame SRHR as an economic investment, engage finance ministries and politicians at all levels, and use evidence-based advocacy to protect and expand funding.

Key takeaways from the session:

• Governments are investing more in contraceptives than ever before, showing growing national ownership.
• Advocacy and evidence are essential to keep SRHR visible in budgets and policy debates. 
• Framing SRHR as an economic investment strengthens the case for funding.
• Sustained progress will require strong political will and engagement from all sectors; government, philanthropy, and civil society.

Sustainable SRHR financing is not just about mobilising funds, it’s about ensuring every person can access the care and choices they deserve. And it can be done, domestic financing and procurement, and inclusion in insurance schemes of reproductive health commodities can be achieved as can be seen in the success stories of many Latin American countries.

In her closing remarks, DSW’s Head of EU Advocacy, Lisa Görlitz agreed with YSW Programme Officer, Fidelis that maybe ODA “is not coming back” but there should be other ways of creating fiscal space in LMICs with the greatest needs, e.g. releasing them from debts that are crippling many national budgets.

YSW’s Project Nurse Melisa Anaseli joined the panel “From the Margins to the Centre: Advancing Inclusive SRHR in Times of Crisis” on November 5. Through case studies from the Pacific, Colombia, Kenya, and new research from the Berlin-Institute, the discussion highlighted what it takes to advance inclusion in practice. Melisa’s reflections underscored that building trust happens one conversation at a time and that genuinely moving from the margins to the centre requires including everyone and staying flexible in our approaches.

A special moment at the opening ceremony was Mr. Dirk Roßmann, Co-Founder of DSW, receiving the Global Humanitarian Award for Women’s and Children’s Health. The award honors visionary leaders who have advanced reproductive, maternal, and child health, especially family planning, through long-term commitment and personal engagement. While he could not attend in person, our director of programmes, Angela Bähr, accepted the award on his behalf. Mr. Roßmann shared his gratitude and reflections in a video message, which can be watched here.

The challenges the SRHR community is facing are real headwinds, but the solutions, partnerships, and leadership we saw at ICFP show what is possible when we act together. The task now is to turn momentum into sustained political and financial commitment so that equity through action is not just a theme, but a reality for women, girls, and communities everywhere.