The world is slowly but surely progressing when it comes to sexual and reproductive health. We are witnessing a decrease in AIDS-related mortality from 1.9 million in 2005 to 1 million last year and we know that half of the people living with HIV have access to HIV treatment (1). Another milestone was reached in July 2016, when over 300 million of women and girls were using a modern method of contraception in 69 of the world’s poorest countries – this is an unprecedented number.

The 2017 session of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF), the second to be held since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), provided an important opportunity for the promotion of issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Now is the time to begin to assess the “pluses” and the “minuses” as they relate to SRHR in the reporting and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda, and to begin strategizing on moving forward.

On July 11, over 600 policymakers, donors, advocates, private sector and civil society representatives from across the globe gathered for the London Family Planning Summit 2017 to discuss efforts to reach the Family Planning 2020 goals and to ensure the delivery of rights-based family planning to an additional 120 million women and girls, with a focus on adolescents and the hardest-to-reach.

At the end of May, the European Commission released its proposal for the 2018 European Union’s budget, including a line for development assistance and humanitarian aid. On 12 July, the ambassadors of the EU member states revealed their position with a suggested aid budget of almost 9.6 billion euros and a cut of around 6,5% compared to 2017.

Despite the summer heat, we are tirelessly working to prepare the 2017 EuroNGOs Conference which will take place on 27-28 September in Brussels. Feeling excited and enthusiastic by this year’s topic and interest shown in the subject, we are ready to share with you the conference programme outline!

Imagine this: you’re a 15-year old sexually-active girl, with a boyfriend. At the height of excitement, trouble sets in: the condom breaks. With great anticipation, you wait for your menstruation to come: two weeks later and still nothing. You buy a test, only to confirm your worst fears: you are pregnant. Early (teen) pregnancy is a situation shared by many others. Thankfully, in many societies, gone are the days when teenage pregnancy was considered solely a private matter. It is a matter of rights, gender equality, and a (public) health issue that many governments are seeking to address in order to meet their Agenda2030 commitments.

“Body & Rights”, the e-tutorial developed by Sensoa, the Belgian expertise centre for sexual health and a member association of IPPF in Belgium and commissioned by the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Be-cause Health, is now available in English.

The Commission on Foreign Affairs of Belgium’s federal parliament has unanimously adopted a resolution for the implementation and follow-up of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the 2030 Agenda.

The UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health (APPG) invites short written submissions from interested organisations and individuals on Abortion in the Developing World and the UK.

The Danish Family Planning Association (DFPA) is seeking an experienced consultant to complete the final evaluation of our “Women’s Health and Rights Advocacy Partnership in South Asia” (WHRAP SA) project implemented in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan during 2014-2017. The project has been financed through DFPA’s framework agreement with Danida.

DSW is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Social Media Officer to successfully execute the digital communication goals of a new project exploring women’s rights in east Africa. The Social Media Officer will support with the development, monitoring, and reporting of the campaign’s online goals, while additionally strengthening and building DSW’s online communications approach at the international level.

IPPF is looking to engage a consultant, on behalf of Countdown 2030 Europe, to undertake a review and analysis of European donor governments’ support of contraceptive supplies financing in low- and middle-income countries, within the wider reproductive health supplies financing landscape, and produce a report summarising findings and providing recommendations for further advocacy.

KIT Health seeks applications for the position of Senior Advisor and Head of Masters Programs, a dynamic professional with expertise in and a solid track record in international public health: teaching, consultancy/advisory work, and research.