On November 18, MSI Reproductive Choices participated in a briefing at Parliament House in Canberra, titled ‘Protecting Choice and Rights in Australia and Globally’.
Hosted by the Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APGPD), the event brought together policymakers, health experts and advocates to explore the urgent need for action on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
The briefing featured insights from The Hon. Lisa Chesters MP, Co-Chair of the APGPD, Simon Cooke, MSI’s Global CEO, and Kathleen Pritchard, MSI Australia’s Nurse Unit Manager.
Attendees included parliamentarians such as Senator Lisa Darmanin and Assistant Minister Ged Kearney, as well as representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the International Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Consortium (ISRHRC).
A global perspective on urgent challenges
Simon Cooke’s presentation set the tone, emphasising the critical role MSI plays in protecting reproductive rights across 36 countries. While celebrating progress, he highlighted stark statistics underscoring the ongoing need for SRHR advocacy:
– 260 million women and girls globally still lack access to contraception, with many unaware it’s an option.
– Unsafe abortions cause 8 million injuries and 35,000 deaths annually.
– 4 million girls in sub-Saharan Africa leave school each year due to pregnancy, often unable to return.
Cooke framed the discussion around a compelling question:
“Why do we do it?” For MSI, the answer is clear—the fight for universal access to contraception and safe abortion is far from over.
(L-R) Lisa Chesters MP, Co-Chair of the Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APGPD), Simon Cooke, CEO MSI Reproductive Choices and Kathleen Pritchard, MSI Australia, Canberra Nurse Unit Manager.
The ripple effects of global policy
With the global political climate becoming increasingly unpredictable, including the potential impact of another Trump administration, the need to safeguard reproductive rights has never been more urgent.
The briefing shed light on how international policies, such as the US Global Gag Rule, reverberate across the globe. Discussions explored how restrictive funding conditions and emboldened anti-rights movements jeopardise healthcare access in vulnerable communities.
In Australia, challenges such as limited abortion services in rural and regional areas were also front and centre. Practical solutions, including broadening nurses’ scope of practice and improving Medicare coverage, were proposed as steps toward ensuring safe and accessible abortion for all women.
APGPD: Advocating for a better future
This event highlighted the critical role of the APGPD, a cross-party group formed after the 1995 International Conference on Population and Development. The group champions SRHR, women’s rights, and sustainable development in Australia and across the Asia and Pacific regions.
Co-chaired by Lisa Chesters MP, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, and Dr Monique Ryan MP, the APGPD connects Australian parliamentarians with global efforts to protect and promote reproductive health and rights.
With support from organisations like Family Planning Australia, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the ISRHRC, the APGPD is working to foster evidence-based policies that enable people to make informed reproductive health choices.
Looking ahead
As global political climates grow more unpredictable, collective action by governments, international agencies and civil society organisations is even more critical. Protecting and advancing the sexual and reproductive rights of women is a global effort, in which MSI is proud to play a key role.
“This event is a strong reminder of the value – and urgency – of collaboration to enhance and protect the reproductive choices of women and girls everywhere,” says Merewyn Foran, MSI Asia Pacific Executive Officer. “The global community must unite to find innovative, effective and sustainable ways to champion choice and prevent a rollback of hard-won rights.”
“This event is a strong reminder of the value – and urgency – of collaboration to enhance and protect the reproductive choices of women and girls everywhere. The global community must unite to find innovative, effective and sustainable ways to champion choice and prevent a rollback of hard-won rights.” - Merewyn Foran, MSI Asia Pacific Executive Officer
Our sincere thanks to the APGPD and its Co-Chairs for facilitating this important conversation. We look forward to partnering in advocacy for reproductive choice in Australia and beyond.