The  International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) was founded more than 50 years ago with the goal of empowering women by ensuring their access to contraceptive services. Family planning organizations from eight countries first came together in 1952 to form the Federation, determined to work with different cultures, laws, traditions, and religious attitudes to improve the lives of women around the world.

IPPF is currently recognized as the largest sexual and reproductive health organization in the world and has played a key role in advancing human rights in this area, both in international policy and at the grassroots level.

IPPF Code of Good Governance
As a global sexual and reproductive health and rights movement, IPPF is proud to have its roots in the local communities it strives to serve. In IPPF, it is the volunteers elected to the Federation’s governing bodies that ensure this close link to reality on the ground.  This Code of Good Governance was developed by a Task Force set up to strengthen volunteering and governance in IPPF. The seven principles included in the Code represent good practice in governance and should be upheld and promoted by all individuals serving on IPPF’s governing bodies.

IPPF's Central Office is based in London, and each region has a Regional Office to provide technical assistance and facilitate information sharing among members. The Federation is divided into six regions:

Africa Region (Nairobi, Kenya)
Arab World Region(Tunis, Tunisia)
East and South East Asia and Oceania Region (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
European Network (Brussels, Belgium)
South Asia Region(New Delhi, India)
Western Hemisphere (New York, USA)

The Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR) is made up of  40 sexual and reproductive health organizations and our Regional Office is based in New York City.  The Planned Parenthood Federation of America was a founding member of IPPF/WHR and is our Member Association in the United States.