Fos Feminista is a left-of-center international women’s advocacy organization that was formed in 2021 as the result of a merger between the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), the Center for Health and Global Equality (CHANGE), and the International Planned Parenthood Federation Western Hemisphere Region (IPPFWHR). The group operates in the international stage as well as tries to influence U.S. public policy to promote left-of-center reproductive access policies.

The group coordinates with various United Nations agencies and other NGOs and focuses the bulk of its efforts on developing nations. The organization has received funding from several left-of-center grantmaking organizations including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation. ^{1 2 3 4}

Background

Fos Feminista was created as the result of the 2021 merger of three international feminist and women’s assistance organizations. The logistics of the merger included both the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) and the Center for Health and Global Equality (CHANGE) winding down operations and folding into the International Planned Parenthood Federation Western Hemisphere Region (IPPFWHR), which continued operation under the new name Fos Feminista, while legally maintaining the same name and IRS tax-exempt status as the IPPFWHR. ⁵

The three organizations had a long history of activity engaging on gender issues internationally. The International Women’s Health Coalition was founded in 1984 by Joan Dunlop, who worked with many international organizations dedicated to population control and “helped prod the United Nations to define a woman’s right to say no to sex as an essential human right” in 1995. ⁶

The International Planned Parenthood Federation Western Hemisphere Region (IPPFWHR) was founded in 1954 and managed a network of 50 partner organizations in 40 countries the Americas and the Caribbean. At the time of the 2021 merger, the IPPFWHR website bore a disclaimer stating that the organization was not affiliated with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) or the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). ⁷

The Center for Health and Global Equality (CHANGE), was a similar organization promoting contraceptives and abortion access globally while also promoting left-of-center policies in the United States while working “to prevent the United States from exporting policies overseas.” ⁸

The merger of the three organizations resulted in a global organization that would work with a network of 135 organizations in over 35 countries throughout the world. The group stated that “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Fos Feminista has worked with its partners to implement a feminist response that prioritizes women and girls.” It further stated a commitment to advocacy efforts to expand abortion access globally, citing advocacy work in Mexico, Argentina, and providing support to the “U.S. feminist movements as they confront the Texas abortion ban, bolstering solidarity without borders.” ⁹

Carla Carino, the CEO of Fos Feminista, stated that “the growth of right-wing authoritarianism and anti-gender movements, the climate change crisis, and the ongoing pandemic” were reasons for forming the new organization. ¹⁰

Funding

Fos Feminista and its three predecessor organizations have received funding from a variety of left-of-center foundations including the Open Society Foundations, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation. ^{11 12 13 14}

1. “Fòs Feminista to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Across the Global South.” Fos Feminista. October 29, 2021. Accessed October 15, 2023. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://fosfeminista.org/media/fos-feminista-launch/
2. “To strengthen civil society and other partners’ capacities to advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights in national, regional and international arenas.” Ford Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/awarded-grants/grants-database/fos-feminista-122906/
3. “International Women’s Health Coalition.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/international-planned-parenthood-federationwestern-hemisphere-region-1065/
4. “International Planned Parenthood Federation Expands Programs With $1.7 Million Gift From Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center/press-releases/1999/10/international-planned-parenthood-federation991013
5. “Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.” International Women’s Health Coalition. 2021. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237378153/202212739349201416/full
6. Martin, Douglas. “Joan Dunlop, Advocate for Women’s Health Rights, Dies at 78.” The New York Times. June 30, 2012. Accessed October 15, 2023.  https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/world/joan-dunlop-dies-at-78-fought-for-womens-health-rights.html
7. “International Planned Parenthood Federation Western Hemisphere Region.” Devex. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.devex.com/organizations/international-planned-parenthood-federation-western-hemisphere-region-157120
8. “Center for Health and Global Equality.” Devex. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.devex.com/organizations/center-for-health-and-gender-equity-change-136884
9. Fòs Feminista to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Across the Global South.” Fos Feminista. October 29, 2021. Accessed October 15, 2023. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://fosfeminista.org/media/fos-feminista-launch/
10. “Fòs Feminista to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Across the Global South.” Fos Feminista. October 29, 2021. Accessed October 15, 2023. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://fosfeminista.org/media/fos-feminista-launch/
11. “To strengthen civil society and other partners’ capacities to advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights in national, regional and international arenas.” Ford Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/awarded-grants/grants-database/fos-feminista-122906/
12. “International Women’s Health Coalition.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/international-planned-parenthood-federationwestern-hemisphere-region-1065/
13. “International Planned Parenthood Federation Expands Programs With $1.7 Million Gift From Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center/press-releases/1999/10/international-planned-parenthood-federation991013
14. “International Planned Parenthood Federation Expands Programs With $1.7 Million Gift From Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center/press-releases/1999/10/international-planned-parenthood-federation991013