Dr Carmen Barroso, Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR), is retiring in March 2016.
“Carmen’s tenure as the Director of IPPF/WHR since 2003 has been one of inspired leadership and visionary advocacy that has truly transformed the organization,” said Andrea Cohen Barrack, Chairperson of the IPPF/WHR Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. “Few individuals are as accomplished or as dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights as Carmen, who commands 40 years of experience as an advocate, professor, researcher, funder, and thought leader.
Carmen Barroso has served on a number of international commissions and boards, including the Millennium Project Task Force on MDG 3, the board of the International AIDS Alliance, the Pan American Health Organization’s Panel on Gender and Health, and the UN Secretary General appointed Independent Advisory Group on Data Revolution, and was appointed to the Independent Expert Review Group of the Global Strategy on Women and Children’s Health by the Secretary General of the UN.
Carmen is currently and will remain a member of The Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing.
IPPF/WHR achievements during Carmen Barroso’s tenure include:
- Large reach and impact: A diverse network of local organisations in almost every country in the region that benefits from mutual learning and support from a large pool of highly-skilled volunteers and staff. As a result, IPPF/WHR provides millions of quality services to those who need them, from individuals living in remote indigenous communities in Guatemala to tent cities in Haiti and the high mountains of Bolivia.
- Commitment to human rights and gender equity: A culture of respect for the rights of clients and staff, and a commitment to advocate for fairer legal and political environments, has been promoted at all levels of the organisation and achieved broad alignment around a common set of values. The landmark IPPF Declaration on Sexual Rights, which has served as an advocacy and learning tool throughout the world, originated in the region.
- Creativity and innovation: The organisation pioneers new ideas and approaches. With regard to safe abortion, for instance, IPPF/WHR introduces new surgical or medical methods where abortion is legal, and leads new thinking about ways to mitigate the problem of unsafe abortion in the region.
- Movement building: IPPF/WHR is a respected partner in the broader movement for sexual and reproductive rights. Numerous partnerships at the global, regional, and national levels have nurtured a strong civil society contribution to development in the region.
- Organisational strength: During a time of decreased donor investment in the region, IPPF/WHR has continued to earn the trust of donors who have been steady in their support. IPPF/WHR has received the highest ratings by major institutions such as Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau, among others. IPPF/WHR’s talented and committed New York office staff has a high degree of job satisfaction, and elections for the Regional Board attract a wide and diverse pool of extraordinarily dedicated leaders from throughout the region.
IPPF/WHR is casting a wide net in the search for a new Director. For additional information or to submit feedback, nominations or an application, the contact is IPPF/WHRDirector@spencerstuart.com.