Marie Stopes International names new head of advocacy

Leading sexual and reproductive health organisation Marie Stopes International (MSI) has appointed Anne Quesney as its new Head of Advocacy.

Anne comes to MSI with more than 10 years campaigning experience, eight of which have been in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Most recently, she played a key role as Director of Abortion Rights, the UK’s leading pro-choice campaigning organisation, in raising public awareness of abortion related issues through extensive lobbying of Members of Parliament, the Department of Health and various organisations and individuals not previously engaged on the subject.

“Anne Quesney is passionate about women’s rights and reproductive health and has proven experience in working with broad alliances to advance both,” said Michael Holscher, MSI’s Director of Strategy and External Relations. “We have no doubt that she will add enormous value to MSI and to our cause of expanding sexual and reproductive choice for women.”

As Head of Advocacy, Anne will be responsible for developing and leading initiatives to influence policy and mobilise expanded resources for sexual and reproductive health in the UK, in Europe and around the world.

“It is unacceptable that, in 2008, women around the world are still dying because of unsafe abortion and poor access to contraception and we face a well-resourced anti-choice lobby working overtime to roll back women’s reproductive rights while pushing abstinence-only programmes,” said Anne Quesney. “Policies such as the US Global Gag Rule have devastated sexual and reproductive health and rights but I am confident that progress can be achieved in the years ahead.”

“I am extremely privileged to be joining MSI at such an exciting and challenging time, and in a role where I can have impact on improving access to family planning services and ultimately empowering women and men to control their fertility,” she added. “There is a real strategic commitment at MSI to improving its advocacy role, and I look forward to contributing to that effort.”

MSI is one of the largest family planning organisations in the world, and the largest private provider of safe abortion services globally. MSI provided nearly five million people with high quality health services in 2006 alone, including family planning; safe abortion and post abortion care; maternal and child health care including safe delivery and obstetrics; diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections; HIV/AIDS prevention and tuberculosis treatment.

For further information:

Diana Thomas: diana.thomas@mariestopes.org.uk tel: 020 7034 2317 / 07771 681265

Tony Kerridge: tony.kerridge@mariestopes.org.uk tel: 020 7034 2365 / 07748948037

Diana Thomas
Communications Manager
Marie Stopes International
1 Conway Street
Fitzroy Square
London W1T 6LP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7034 2317
Fax: +44 (0)20 7034 2404

email: diana.thomas@mariestopes.org.uk

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