JOICFP is an international cooperation NGO born in Japan that promotes SRHR (sexual and reproductive health and rights) as a basic human right, working toward a world where everyone can choose how to live by their own will. In particular, it supports women who suffer from health disparities and gender inequality so that they can protect their own lives and health and make their own decisions.
It was launched in Japan in 1968, and its name comes from its original name, the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning foundation. Drawing on the knowledge of maternal and child health and family planning developed in Japan, it has worked to support women and pregnant women in developing countries. It reports that in more than 40 countries and regions it has supported efforts to reduce deaths of women related to pregnancy and childbirth, promoted family planning, worked on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and carried out awareness-raising and education.
Its approach is to prevent problems through "developing people" and to make change take root through partnerships with local residents, schools, hospitals, governments and international organizations. For the period from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, it reports training 214 health and related personnel and 895 health volunteers, and reaching 189,619 people with SRHR-related information. In Japan it also works on awareness and education, including comprehensive sexuality education.
Key points
- Since its launch in 1968, it has worked to protect women's lives and health in more than 40 countries and regions
- Works on two wheels: prevention through "developing people" and partnerships with local people and related organizations
- Many ways to take part, including donations, JOICFP Friends (monthly giving), donating school backpacks, and the White Ribbon Run
Why this organization deserves attention
Rather than only responding after problems occur, it focuses on preventing them in advance by providing access to correct knowledge and by developing people such as local health volunteers. It describes concrete examples, such as health volunteers it trained in a slum in Kenya who distributed sanitary products while also sharing accurate knowledge.
It also offers many entry points from daily life, such as support through shopping or points, donating school backpacks, and joining the White Ribbon Run. Articles that explain SRHR are published as well, so you can start simply by learning.
Editor's comment
Being able to choose about your own body and life seems natural, yet there are places in the world where that opportunity is not enough. JOICFP's work invites us to think about the importance of being able to choose from the viewpoint of each person's daily life.
The official website has articles that explain SRHR in an easy-to-understand way, along with voices from the field. Why not start with an article that interests you?