IUCN CEESP-SSC Biodiversity and Family Planning (Res072) Inter-Commission

More about the Task Force

The Task Force was created because of the overwhelming desire, and need, for biodiversity conservation policy and practice to change to reflect the realities of the twenty first century. Human and environmental health are inextricably linked, conservation organisations are aware of the need to integrate community health actions within programming but need to do so more often, and successful conservation requires genuine and substantive action to further human health and associated gender equality outcomes.

The Task Force was founded due to the landslide vote at IUCN’s World Conservation Congress in 2020, when IUCN members voted in support of the resolution “Importance for the conservation of nature of removing barriers to rights-based voluntary family planning”. It is an inter-Commission Task Force formed by the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy and the Species Survival Commission. The successful passage of the resolution was led by the Margaret Pyke Trust and 18 co-sponsors from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Task Force members comprise global experts on sexual and reproductive health and rights, biodiversity conservation, demography and those in direct dialogue with their national policymakers. The Task Force members have a passion for the work of the Task Force and expertise from a variety of national, regional and international organisations from all corners of the globe.

The Task Force will support IUCN and IUCN members develop guidance on how and why removing barriers to rights-based voluntary family planning can strengthen conservation outcomes, in addition to promoting the health, well-being and empowerment of women and girls. The Task Force will produce publications, guidance and best practice materials through a series of output-oriented Working Groups and support activities to change national and organisational plans and policies. The Task Force will help IUCN ensure its work and focus reflect the interconnected nature of the Sustainable Development Goals, respects human rights, promotes multi-sector approaches benefiting human and environmental health, and acts as a flagship Task Force in terms of level of output and governance.