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The IPPF Arab Regional Secretariat, in partnership with the League of Arab States, the Institute for Family Health (IFH), UN Women and UNFPA, convened a two-day regional conference on 7–8 May 2025 in Amman, Jordan, under the title “Bridging Peace and Health: Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda through Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).” The conference brought together policymakers, advocates, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and Member Associations to reaffirm the essential role of SRHR as a foundation for peace, recovery, and resilience across the Arab region.

Participants from across the region and beyond—representing the IPPF Arab Regional Office, League of Arab States, Government representatives, the Institute for Family Health (IFH), UN Women, UNFPA, IPPF Member Associations in Yemen, Sudan, Palestine, and Lebanon, the Embassy of Japan in Jordan, and JOICFP joined in dynamic discussions. The meeting emphasized the urgent need to address women’s and girls’ health and rights in conflict and post-conflict contexts as part of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Dr. Ibrahim Aql, Director of the Family Health Institute, opened the regional conference by emphasizing the importance of integrating sexual and reproductive health issues into the women, peace and security agenda as a strategic necessity in light of the growing humanitarian challenges. He expressed the Institute's commitment to working with local and international partners to build a more just and protective future for women and girls in the region.

The speech delivered by Minister Plenipotentiary Director of population Policies Dept  League of Arab States Chouaa Dassouki, emphasized that the 2013 Cairo Declaration on Population and Development called for the enshrinement of human rights, including the achievement of reproductive health, as reproductive health concepts are an inherent human right, but this right is threatened and eroded in times of conflict and crisis; the situation of women in conflict and post-conflict situations is one of the most complex and difficult humanitarian issues, They are the most vulnerable to serious violations and deprivation of their basic rights, and their health deteriorates as a result of the collapse of health services in countries affected by war and armed conflict. She also stressed the need to integrate reproductive health services into humanitarian emergency plans.

Dr. Hadeel Al-Saigh, Director of the Women and Children's Health Directorate at the Jordanian Ministry of Health, emphasized that the Ministry places these issues at the top of its priorities, believing that empowering and protecting women, especially in times of crisis and conflict, is the foundation for building safe and healthy societies. The Ministry is currently working to integrate issues related to women and their security into its strategies to ensure equitable access to comprehensive health services, especially for the most vulnerable groups.

Ms. Tomoko Watanabe, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Jordan, representing the Government of Japan, which co-chairs the WPS Focal Points Network in 2025, reiterated Japan’s commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. She emphasized that to truly reach the most vulnerable and ensure no one is left behind, SRHR must be recognized as a critical component of peace and recovery. She added that IPPF’s grassroots engagement with local communities plays a vital role in achieving these shared goals and underlined that the international community must work together to implement actionable steps agreed upon through such platforms.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director of IPPF Arab World Region, underscored the consequences of neglecting women’s reproductive needs during crises. She said: “Reproductive health is a top priority. If women are denied SRH services in normal circumstances, how will they fare amid violence? How can she deliver safely? How does she nourish herself and her unborn child? Her needs don’t pause in war—they intensify. Yet, even basic necessities like sanitary pads have become a distant dream.” Dr. Bakhadda echoed the call from the 2023 UN Secretary-General’s report on Women, Peace and Security, which urged the integration of SRH into humanitarian responses as a core pillar of resilience and recovery.

Throughout the meeting, representatives from Governments and IPPF’s National Member Associations reported on the realities facing women and girls in their respective countries, while JOICFP shared Japan’s experiences in responding to the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. The rich exchange of perspectives laid the foundation for a shared outcome document that reflects the region’s commitment to integrating SRHR within peace and security frameworks.

As a tangible outcome of the conference, participants announced the establishment of a regional hub that will serve as a collaborative platform to advance SRHR within the WPS agenda. The hub will support organizations across the region, promote comprehensive sexuality education in conflict contexts, advocate for stronger mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian SRHR responses, and work closely with partners to ensure that health, dignity, and security are inseparable priorities, particularly for women and girls in vulnerable situations.

To carry the momentum forward, the IPPF Arab Regional Secretariat will organize a follow-up meeting in Egypt later this year with parliamentarians from Arab States and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This meeting will aim to raise political awareness and mobilize action to ensure the implementation of the commitments made in Amman.

For more information, please contact Mr. Mustapha Kemayel, Director of External Relations  IPPF Arab World Region, at [email protected].

The visit, conducted in close collaboration with the State Unit for Combating Violence Against Women and Children and generously supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), highlighted the essential services being provided to survivors of gender-based violence and those affected by displacement and conflict.

As part of the mission, Ms. Patten and her delegation toured SFPA-operated safe spaces, witnessing firsthand the integrated services offeredranging from reproductive health care to psychosocial support and social reintegration initiatives. The visit also provided an opportunity to engage directly with women and girls benefiting from these services, listening to their stories and needs.

A key moment of the visit was a tour of the Integrated Center for GBV Survivors, a model facility run by SFPA in Red Sea State. The center exemplifies holistic care for survivors, ensuring access to protection, medical attention, mental health support, and community-based services. Ms. Anette from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and Dr. Salima Ishaq, Director of the Federal Unit for Combating Violence Against Women and Children, also joined the tour.

In a significant announcement, Ms. Patten confirmed the upcoming signing of a formal cooperation agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sudan on the prevention of and response to sexual violence in conflict. She described the agreement as a “milestone moment” in the country’s efforts to protect the rights and dignity of women and girls.

“This visit represents a strategic and qualitative boost for the cause of protecting women in the Sudanese context,” said Mr. Mustafa Rifaat Darrar, Executive Director of the SFPA Red Sea State Branch.
“It underscores the urgent need to expand safe spaces and deepen the integration of protection, reproductive health, and psychosocial services—especially in times of crisis. Above all, it reflects the unwavering solidarity of our international partners in ensuring that the dignity and safety of Sudanese women remain central to humanitarian action.”

This visit marks a powerful affirmation of SFPA’s commitment alongside its partners in the IPPF family and the global humanitarian community to uphold the rights of women and girls in conflict-affected areas, and to strengthen pathways for healing, empowerment, and justice.