International professional organizations are important institutions for technical and normative guidance to health care providers and organizations around the world. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) are potential advocates for family planning (FP) and long-acting and permanent methods (LA/PMs), with their worldwide memberships and networks. RESPOND is collaborating with each of these groups in the development of materials and/or outreach activities to advocate for greater access to information and services for FP, including LA/PMs.
Promoting the benefits of LA/PMs through collaboration with FIGO, ICN, and ICM. RESPOND collaborated with USAID to develop and publish a consensus statement, The Importance of Voluntary Family Planning and Its Provision by our Members, on behalf of, and for the approval of, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), and International Council of Nurses (ICN). This consensus statement provides technical and normative guidance to healthcare providers, and regulatory agencies worldwide. Specifically, the consensus statement:
The consensus statement was approved by the three organizations in May 2011. In June 2011, it was widely disseminated among 2,000 attendees at ICM's International Congress and posted to the official websites of USAID and the three professional organizations. RESPOND translated the document into French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic, as part of a wider dissemination plan, including dissemination at the upcoming International Family Planning Conference in Dakar and obtaining official endorsement from key development agencies and multilateral institutions.