Click here to listen to an audio recording of the webinar.
Board Chair Kate Gilmore and Alvaro Bermejo respond to questions raised during the May 21 Town Hall webinar.
Feminist Values
Q1: How can IPPF integrate feminist values and principles into the structure of IPPF and MAs toward strengthening MA resilience, solidarity, and courage to stand firm for SRH?
A: The feminist principle that “the personal is political” is key. If we are to integrate feminism fully, the we must serve the (public – political) goals of human rights and gender equality by also ensuring that we (personally) as IPPF do not reproduce in our own working methods those patriarchal practices or practices that discriminate or exclude on any basis of identity – be that gender, ethnicity, language, disability etc. In other words, IPPF cannot advocate for things publicly that it does not live up to internally. Externally and internally, women’s and youth leadership and voices are key; transparency and accountability are essential; further dismantling of inappropriate power structures and practices may be necessary. Ultimately, feminism asks that we be the change that we seek in the world!
MA Governance
Q2: Are we going to have access to the list of all Board members and their credentials and experience so that we can appreciate the mix of skills and diversity that we have in our new governing structure?
A: Short biographies have been posted on the IPPFisChanging website. You can see the details of the Board of Trustees here; and those of the Nominations and Governance Committee here.
Q3: How will the global governance reform be implemented at MA level?
A: There has been a clear call from many MAs to institute reforms to improve the effectiveness of their governance. To this end, IPPF has launched an MA governance strengthening pilot that will support up to 10 MAs over the course of 2020 to build their governance. The learnings from this experience will be documented and shared with all MAs.
Q4: How does the new board plan to engage the leadership of MAs in the reform process to ensure it reaches the MA level?
A: As a board we want to work in partnership with MAs. The governance reforms clearly prioritise engagement with MAs and we will be spending time in the coming weeks and months considering what methods we can use to communicate with MAs well, to listen even better and to exchange openly about priorities, progress and participation in decision-making.
Q5: We should accelerate the reform process with the MAs, but how do we do this when we are facing COVID?
A: Managing change, sustaining our relationships and communicating clearly over many time zones and great distances is nothing new to IPPF. But COVID-19 places many MAs, volunteers, staff and our donors too under great pressure. We have been through tough times before and we will come through this tough time together. Keeping channels of communication open is very important at this time and the new Board is very committed to that. The teams working on the roll out of the reforms will also help us to not lose momentum.
Q6: What will happen if an MA does not want to reform its governance system?
A: IPPF recognizes the autonomy of all Member Associations with regard to determining their governance structure beyond adhering to related membership standards, so there is no requirement that MAs implement reforms that mirror the global reforms.
Q7: Will the MA Pilot help to distinguish roles between governance and management?
A: Yes. It is imperative for the smooth and effective running of an organization to clearly delineate the roles and responsibilities of governance bodies and management. IPPF proposes that this aspect of governance should form part of the work being done as part of the MA pilot reforms.
Q8: What is the process ahead for MA governance support beyond the pilot?
A: The pilot will support a number of Members to address issues in their governance. However, IPPF will continue to support members to address governance issues through the regional offices and will, where possible, provide financial support to address issues identified by the MA.
Q9: We can see several standing committees that will provide advice to the board. How will these committees be selected and who could be part of these committees?
A: The Nominations and Governance Committee (NGC) is responsible for recruiting members of the four Board Committees: Membership; Finance, Audit and Risk; Policy, Strategy and Investment; and Resource Allocation and Technical.
Each committee will be made up entirely of volunteers, with the majority of them coming from MAs. At least half of the committee members will be women, and at least 20% of them will be young people under 25.
Resource Allocation
Q10: How do you see IPPF addressing inequalities and making strategic interventions to reach the most vulnerable through the new resource allocation strategy?
A: The streams-based resource allocation model is created to ensure that IPPF makes the best possible use of the funds available to deliver on our joint mission. Stream 1 is oriented towards accelerating our work to deliver on our strategic targets. Our strategy places emphasis on reaching those who are actively being marginalised, and on changing harmful and discriminatory laws, policies and practises.
Q11: I like your strong voice very much about the high tolerance for inequalities in our realities. How do you see us addressing this in our strategy re Resource allocation and ensuring equal and enriching participation of all regions in decision making and strategic interventions to address the most vulnerable? Of particular interest is funding allocation to WB categories of high-income countries.
A: The Resource Allocation and Technical committee will help us figure out more of the details. We know that all organizations find these matters to be difficult and complex, the UN included. Delivering information, services and solidarity to those who are left furthest behind must be our driving force and we know that people are being left behind in the wealthiest of countries, not only the poorest. However, we need good, fair and transparent systems for resource allocation, knowing that the need for IPPF/MAs’ services is always far greater than the resources we have to provide them.
Q12: Why do we follow the World Bank classifications and not the reality on the ground?
A: Stream 1 of the new resource allocation model is the only one of the three streams that has restrictions based on income status of countries. These restrictions do take into account the exceptional circumstances that exist in high-income countries.
The World Bank classification is used by the donor community. Most donors will only allow that their funds are spent to support so-called DAC-eligible countries.
Q13. What plans does IPPF have to support the MAs in the COVID epidemic?
A: IPPF has moved quickly to support MAs. Immediately the crisis escalated, new funds, new guidance and new technical support began. Donor briefings have been provided to ensure funds keep flowing while efforts continue to support MAs most directly affected. The Secretariat is available to answer questions and provide advice should your MA require further support.
Q14: When and how are member associations allowed to apply for stream 3, and does it apply to an emergency like COVID?
A: The new Stream 3 will go into effect in 2021. As an expansion of the current DGO Emergency Fund, Stream 3 will provide funding for initial response to a range of emergency situations, including response to a pandemic like COVID-19.
Q15: Is there any way IPPF can help MAs with funds through Stream 3, so that we can at least show support to our volunteers?
A: While Stream 3 does not kick in until 2021, MAs can access emergency funding for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through the DGO Emergency Fund, which has already released more than $450,000 to purchase PPE for MAs. In addition, IPPF has established a Solidarity Fund to support MA/Secretariat staff colleagues who have been deeply affected by C-19. For more information on C-19 funding, click here.
Q16: When does the process for Stream 1 begin? And what does it mean that we should submit Business plans?
A: The new Stream 1 will go into effect in Quarter 3 of 2020, for implementation in 2021. However, the first year of implementation be done using the existing allocation formula.