DSW is attending ICFP 2025

In November, representatives from DSW, Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW), and DSW Tanzania took part in the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) in Bogotá, Colombia. For the first time in Latin America, the conference was held under the motto “Equity through Action.” More than 3,000 participants from 128 countries attended the conference to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) worldwide.

SRHR is under pressure globally. The ICFP therefore took place at exactly the right time: over the past twelve months, programs and progress in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) have faced significant resistance. From the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy and sweeping cuts to development cooperation to the dismantling of USAID, all of these changes have immediate consequences—especially for women and girls. Against this backdrop, the ICFP provided a crucial moment for experts to exchange knowledge, strengthen networks, and regain momentum despite the setbacks. Colleagues from DSW, YSW, and DSW Tanzania actively contributed through presentations and panel discussions.

On November 4, DSW co-hosted a panel together with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit). The session focused on how SRHR financing can be secured in a changing development cooperation landscape. Speakers emphasized that while mobilizing domestic resources and developing innovative financing mechanisms are becoming increasingly important, development cooperation will remain part of a mixed financing approach for the foreseeable future. The panelists also highlighted the need to frame SRHR as an economic investment, to engage ministries of finance and political decision-makers, and to use evidence-based advocacy to protect and expand funding.

Key insights from the session:

• Governments are investing more than ever in contraceptives—a sign of growing national responsibility and ownership.
• Advocacy and evidence-based arguments are essential to ensure SRHR remains visible in budget discussions and political debates.
• Framing SRHR as an economic investment strengthens the case for adequate funding.
• Sustainable progress requires strong political will and the commitment of all sectors—government, philanthropy, and civil society.

Sustainable SRHR financing is not only about mobilizing funds—it is also about ensuring that every person has access to the care and choices they deserve. And it is achievable: the experiences of many Latin American countries show that national financing and procurement, as well as the inclusion of reproductive health commodities in insurance systems, can be successfully implemented.

In her closing remarks, Lisa Görlitz, Head of EU Advocacy at DSW, agreed with YSW Programme Officer Fidelis Athiambo that development cooperation “may not come back.” Nevertheless, other ways must be found to create fiscal space in low- and middle-income countries with particularly high needs—for example through debt relief, as many national budgets are currently heavily constrained by debt burdens.

Melisa Anaselil, a project nurse with YSW, participated on November 5 in the panel “From the Margins to the Center: Advancing Inclusive SRHR in Times of Crisis.” Using case studies from the Pacific region as well as Colombia and Kenya, and drawing on new research from the Berlin Institute, the discussion explored what it takes in practice to truly strengthen inclusion. Melisa’s contributions highlighted that trust is built through direct dialogue and that real change—from the margins to the center—can only succeed when everyone is included and approaches remain flexible.

A particularly moving moment during the opening ceremony was the presentation of the Global Humanitarian Award for Women’s and Children’s Health to Dirk Roßmann, founder of the DSW Foundation. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding personal commitment over many years to advancing SRHR—especially family planning—and improving care related to pregnancy, childbirth, and child health. As he was unable to attend in person, DSW’s Programme Board Member Angela Bähr accepted the award on his behalf. In a video message, Dirk Roßmann expressed his gratitude to the jury.

The SRHR community is facing major and serious challenges. At the same time, the ICFP demonstrated the potential that lies in concrete solutions, strong partnerships, and committed action when we work together. The task now is to carry this momentum forward into long-term political and financial commitments so that “Equity through Action” does not remain just a motto, but becomes a lived reality for women, girls, and communities everywhere.