Alinafe Nkhope, a mother of one, holds her son as Idah Savala, an NGO officer, laughs with the infant at Mwansambo Health Clinic in Nkhotakota, Central Region, Malawi. 21 August 2024. The MSI programme in Malawi, called Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM), was established in 1987 to expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Malawi, and support efforts to reduce unsafe abortion and high rates of maternal mortality. Today, BLM is Malawi’s largest non-profit provider of quality sexual and reproductive health services, delivering care across 28 districts and responsible for providing 65% of the country’s contraceptive services. The programme provides all modern methods of short-acting and long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs), permanent contraceptive methods, and post-abortion care, following an unsafe abortion. BLM also provides maternal and child health services, cervical cancer screening, preventive treatment, and testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

Advocacy wins: Two countries, one powerful shift for reproductive rights 

Across the world, something extraordinary is happening.  

 

In the face of political pressure, misinformation, and shrinking reproductive rights worldwide, two MSI country programmes have achieved landmark advocacy wins – each one unlocking new pathways to safety, dignity, and choice. 

 

And every step forward was made possible because people like you stand with us. 

 

 

Papua New Guinea: A 20-year commitment to choice 

 

After years of MSI advocacy, the Government of Papua New Guinea has made voluntary family planning a national priority in its new 20-year roadmap. 

 

The Government has committed to a fully funded family planning program that will provide free contraception in all health facilities. It will also invest in training more midwives and reaching rural and remote communities. 

 

Last year, MSI PNG reached 70,633 people with family planning services. This prevented an estimated 21,588 unintended pregnancies and 26 deaths. This new national commitment will protect even more lives. 

 

Malawi: A court ruling that protects survivors of violence 

 

In Malawi, the courts recently ruled in favour of a 14-year-old rape survivor who was denied a safe abortion by a Ministry of Health facility. The judgment recognises that the state failed in its duty of care – and establishes powerful legal precedent for future cases. 

 

MSI supported this landmark win through media engagement, evidence-sharing, and careful advocacy in partnership with local civil society.  Their efforts helped increase public understanding and opened new discussions with the newly elected government, which has shown interest in improving reproductive rights. 

 

This ruling doesn’t just protect one girl – it’s an important step toward protecting survivors of violence and strengthening the path to future reform. 

Alinafe Nkhope, a mother of one, holds her son as Idah Savala, an NGO officer, laughs with the infant at Mwansambo Health Clinic in Nkhotakota, Central Region, Malawi. 21 August 2024. The MSI programme in Malawi, called Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM), was established in 1987 to expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Malawi, and support efforts to reduce unsafe abortion and high rates of maternal mortality. Today, BLM is Malawi’s largest non-profit provider of quality sexual and reproductive health services, delivering care across 28 districts and responsible for providing 65% of the country’s contraceptive services. The programme provides all modern methods of short-acting and long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs), permanent contraceptive methods, and post-abortion care, following an unsafe abortion. BLM also provides maternal and child health services, cervical cancer screening, preventive treatment, and testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

Why these wins matter 

 

Together, these three changes show that advocacy works. They show that MSI teams can help shape national policies, protect women’s health, and expand access to safe and respectful care. 

They also show something even more powerful. They show what happens when supporters like you stand with women and girls. These wins create real change for millions of people, in places where rights are often under threat. 


Thank you for being part of this progress and for standing with MSI as we work for safety, dignity, and choice for all.