Women’s Plans Foundation

WPF’s mission is to contribute to women’s capacity to manage fertility because this:

1. improves reproductive health and survival,
2. improves gender equity, empowering women,
3. develops economic and social resilience,
4. stabilises human population growth,
5. minimises  environmental damage and climate change.

Our grants are made to NGOs accredited with AusAID and eligible to receive matched funding to make contraception possible in areas of need.  Currently our donations contribute to  (1) Marie Stopes International Australia’s rural programs in PNG and Cambodia, (2) ChildFund Australia’s programs in PNG, (3)CARE Australia’s programs in Timor L’este (4) Australia Doctors International in PNG.  Mobile health teams reach rural areas with clinical services, integrating contraceptive access and education with health programs.

Couples have told us that they wished we had come earlier, as they would have had fewer children (one woman had eight children by the time she was twenty-four). Many women world-wide die from pregnancies they wished to avoid. Girls who realise that they can time the birth of children continue longer in education, benefitting themselves and their families. Women who space their pregnancies have better survival rates, as do their babies. Women not burdened physically by closely successive births are better able to stand up for gender equity and recognition of their status as persons.

Thousands of women are gaining access to an increasing range of contraceptives, welcoming the ability to balance fertility with education and resources.   Women and children in developing countries have a better chance of survival and fulfillment.  Communities benefit with a leveling of population and stabilisation of demand on resources.  Nations and the world environment benefit when women enter decision-making arenas.

A Roundtable of experts from key sectors of health, finance, education, the women’s movement, religion, science and overseas aid produced a Communiqué to the Prime Minister and Parliamentarians.  This was expanded into a16 page publication Population, Culture and Climate Change is available, sent on request.  

Fundraising events include day and evening events in a variety of locations.

Speakers are available for illustrated talks.

The WPF Alert publicises reproductive health issues, progress in contraception, and the work we support overseas.

Patron: The Hon. Quentin Bryce AD, CVO,  former Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

The Board of Trustees

The Events Committee

 Trustees: Mrs. Carolyn Blanden, Joanne Epp PhD, Dr. Eleanor Freedman, Mrs. Alice Oppen OAM, Mrs. Helen Sheffer

Bequests  are sought for this very practical and strategic area of human health.  Please include Women’s Plans Foundation Trust Fund (tax deductible) in your Will.  Fundraising events raise funds, but much more is needed.  Women’s reproductive health and consequent enablement are a strategic and cost effective way of reaching to the heart of the world’s problems.

Monetary donations go into the (tax deductible) Trust Fund, or can be services, items, sponsorship going towards fundraising events. Receipts are given for ‘gifts in kind’ if there is no service received. Do you have objets d’art or products which could be auctioned at an elegant charity auction? Come to our events, enjoy like-minded and interesting people, and contribute to the profitability of an entertaining time.

We thank Siobhan Sellick of Prosperity Advisers for pro bono accounting service, Baker & McKenzie for pro bono legal services, UBS consultant Stuart Cameron for investment service, publication design by Langue (www.langue.com.au), Julian Oppen of full cream for website design and management.

We welcome volunteers, particularly people knowledgeable in communication, to help us to reach out to let people know of our work and aims. We seek young people to help with Facebook and other internet outlets. Contact us and work with congenial people in organising fundraising events and exploring internet potential.