IPPF and Foreign Aid for Abortion

Abstract

Donald Warwick, writing about Foreign Aid for Abortion (Hastings Center Report, April 1980, pp. 30-37), misrepresents the position of the International Planned Parenthood Federation in several important respects. IPPF is a Federation of 95 Family Planning Associations, each of which is an autonomous, indigenous organization in its own country. These Associations individually determine their roles and programme priorities according to the needs and conditions in their own countries, while adhering to the basic aims and objectives of the IPPF. Family Planning Associations collectively decide the Federation's policies through several tiers of committees of volunteer representatives. The office in London is the Central Office of the Secretariat; it is not the IPPF. There are, in fact, six regional offices also performing secretariat functions in different parts of the world. Mr. Warwick implies that donor governments are able to influence IPPF policies. While it is true that if a donor does not wish its funds to be used for abortion-related activities, IPPF respects that position; nevertheless IPPF's policies on abortion assistance are derived from the views and wishes of its members, not from its donors. Many IPPF member associations receive no financial support from the Federation; their policies are not influenced by external funds.