Ipas

Nongovernmental organization that works around the world to increase women's ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, especially the right to safe abortion.

Founded in 1973, Ipas is a nonprofit organization that works around the world to increase women's ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, especially the right to safe abortion. Through local, national, and global partnerships, Ipas seeks to end preventable deaths and disabilities from unsafe abortion and to expand women's access to safe, respectful, and comprehensive abortion care, including contraception and related reproductive health information and care. Ipas strives to foster a legal, policy and social environment supportive of women's rights to make their own sexual and reproductive health decisions freely and safely.

Ipas' executive directors and presidents/CEOs since 1974 have been: Elton Kessel 1973-1974, Jorgen Jenk 1974-1975, Malcolm Potts 1975-1977, John Tomaro 1977-1979, Charanne Clarke 1979-1982, Edward Meldahl 1982-1985, Katie Early (McLaurin) 1985-1991, Forrest C. Greenslade 1991-1999, Elizabeth S. Maguire 1999-

More information about the organization and its activities can be found on its website: www.ipas.org .