@stephjohanssen.bsky.social
Humanitarian Advocacy at MSF • Formerly UN Representative at Women's Refugee Commission and UN & EU Advocacy Director at Global Justice Center • Views are my own • she/her
Reposted
Seda Saluk: "When a government erects barriers to comprehensive reproductive care, it doesn’t just cause more death and suffering for women and their families. Such policies are often a first step in the gradual decline of democracies."
Banning abortion is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes
Banning abortion instantly oppresses a huge swath of society. And enforcing abortion bans begets a police state − an upside for dictators from Mussolini to Ortega.
theconversation.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Seda Saluk: "When a government erects barriers to comprehensive reproductive care, it doesn’t just cause more death and suffering for women and their families. Such policies are often a first step in the gradual decline of democracies."
Reposted
Nearly 9,500 unaccompanied minors have arrived in Italy so far this year after crossing the Mediterranean. Many of them carry heavy mental trauma.
▶️ In Agrigento, our team offers psychological support, creative spaces, and a safe place where they can feel like children again.
▶️ In Agrigento, our team offers psychological support, creative spaces, and a safe place where they can feel like children again.
October 12, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Nearly 9,500 unaccompanied minors have arrived in Italy so far this year after crossing the Mediterranean. Many of them carry heavy mental trauma.
▶️ In Agrigento, our team offers psychological support, creative spaces, and a safe place where they can feel like children again.
▶️ In Agrigento, our team offers psychological support, creative spaces, and a safe place where they can feel like children again.
Reposted
Across nearly 100 submissions to our #StopCensoringAbortion survey, we saw systemic over-enforcement, convoluted policies, sudden account bans, and ignored appeals. On Friday, leaders from EFF, Plan C, M+A Hotline, and Women on Web will discuss what’s happening and the future of sharing info online.
October 8, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Across nearly 100 submissions to our #StopCensoringAbortion survey, we saw systemic over-enforcement, convoluted policies, sudden account bans, and ignored appeals. On Friday, leaders from EFF, Plan C, M+A Hotline, and Women on Web will discuss what’s happening and the future of sharing info online.
Reposted
At our facilities across Port-au-Prince, Haiti, we treated 2,000+ victims of violence, on top of assisting another 2,000+ victims and survivors of sexual violence, between January and June.
Civilians must be spared from escalating violence in the city:
Civilians must be spared from escalating violence in the city:
People and the health system are trapped in escalating violence in Haiti | MSF
Our teams in Haiti continue to treat victims and survivors of violence, while the health system struggles to cope with people's needs.
msf.me
October 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
At our facilities across Port-au-Prince, Haiti, we treated 2,000+ victims of violence, on top of assisting another 2,000+ victims and survivors of sexual violence, between January and June.
Civilians must be spared from escalating violence in the city:
Civilians must be spared from escalating violence in the city:
Reposted
This is the most extreme abortion ban ever introduced in South Carolina and it’s an egregious attack on autonomy, privacy, speech, and safety.
We CANNOT stay silent.
We CANNOT stay silent.
At a public hearing on Wednesday, one OB-GYN said that the proposed bill "constitutes an unconstitutional reach that threatens the very fabric of health care in our state."
www.jezebel.com/south-caroli...
www.jezebel.com/south-caroli...
South Carolina Moves Toward Passing the Most Extreme Abortion Ban in America
At a public hearing on Wednesday, one OB-GYN said that the proposed bill "constitutes an unconstitutional reach that threatens the very fabric of health care in our state."
www.jezebel.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:16 PM
This is the most extreme abortion ban ever introduced in South Carolina and it’s an egregious attack on autonomy, privacy, speech, and safety.
We CANNOT stay silent.
We CANNOT stay silent.
Reposted
“Attacking Kunduz trauma centre is a wound that is not going to end.’’
10 years ago, US airstrikes destroyed our trauma centre in Kunduz, Afghanistan. Dr Mohamed Poya and Faizullah Alokaza will never forget that day.
They reflect on what we lost and rebuilt in the aftermath:
10 years ago, US airstrikes destroyed our trauma centre in Kunduz, Afghanistan. Dr Mohamed Poya and Faizullah Alokaza will never forget that day.
They reflect on what we lost and rebuilt in the aftermath:
October 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
“Attacking Kunduz trauma centre is a wound that is not going to end.’’
10 years ago, US airstrikes destroyed our trauma centre in Kunduz, Afghanistan. Dr Mohamed Poya and Faizullah Alokaza will never forget that day.
They reflect on what we lost and rebuilt in the aftermath:
10 years ago, US airstrikes destroyed our trauma centre in Kunduz, Afghanistan. Dr Mohamed Poya and Faizullah Alokaza will never forget that day.
They reflect on what we lost and rebuilt in the aftermath:
Reposted
HISTORY MADE TODAY! The global majority has joined the #NuclearBan Treaty!
Today Kyrgyzstan🇰🇬 signed and Ghana🇬🇭 ratified the UN Treaty banning nuclear weapons, bringing us to bringing the total to 99 out of 197 eligible states.🎉
Today Kyrgyzstan🇰🇬 signed and Ghana🇬🇭 ratified the UN Treaty banning nuclear weapons, bringing us to bringing the total to 99 out of 197 eligible states.🎉
September 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
HISTORY MADE TODAY! The global majority has joined the #NuclearBan Treaty!
Today Kyrgyzstan🇰🇬 signed and Ghana🇬🇭 ratified the UN Treaty banning nuclear weapons, bringing us to bringing the total to 99 out of 197 eligible states.🎉
Today Kyrgyzstan🇰🇬 signed and Ghana🇬🇭 ratified the UN Treaty banning nuclear weapons, bringing us to bringing the total to 99 out of 197 eligible states.🎉
Reposted
📍Gaza: On the night of September 28, Al-Helou Hospital in Gaza City, supported by MSF, sustained severe collateral damage from nearby attacks. This happened despite multiple assurances from Israeli forces that the hospital was not in danger. 🧵
September 29, 2025 at 10:42 PM
📍Gaza: On the night of September 28, Al-Helou Hospital in Gaza City, supported by MSF, sustained severe collateral damage from nearby attacks. This happened despite multiple assurances from Israeli forces that the hospital was not in danger. 🧵
Reposted
It is unconscionable that people in the U.S. and internationally are forced to risk their lives in pursuit of what we know can and should be safe, easily accessible reproductive healthcare.
#InternationalSafeAbortionDay
#InternationalSafeAbortionDay
September 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM
It is unconscionable that people in the U.S. and internationally are forced to risk their lives in pursuit of what we know can and should be safe, easily accessible reproductive healthcare.
#InternationalSafeAbortionDay
#InternationalSafeAbortionDay
Reposted
“We have been left with no choice but to stop our activities, as our clinics are encircled by Israeli forces... This is the last thing we wanted.”
We have been forced to suspend our activities and leave Gaza City.
We have been forced to suspend our activities and leave Gaza City.
MSF forced to suspend activities amid Israeli offensive in Gaza City | MSF
The intense Israeli forces' offensive in Gaza City, Palestine, is putting our staff and patients at an unacceptable level of risk to continue our lifesaving activities.
www.msf.org
September 26, 2025 at 5:05 PM
“We have been left with no choice but to stop our activities, as our clinics are encircled by Israeli forces... This is the last thing we wanted.”
We have been forced to suspend our activities and leave Gaza City.
We have been forced to suspend our activities and leave Gaza City.
Reposted
Since 2023, non-Arab communities are facing killings, rape & torture in Darfur, Sudan.
Despite immense barriers & the ongoing violence, over 600 victims/survivors of sexual violence have sought care at our facilities between April and August 2025.
Despite immense barriers & the ongoing violence, over 600 victims/survivors of sexual violence have sought care at our facilities between April and August 2025.
Sexual violence in Darfur must end | MSF
Sexual violence in Sudan is being used systematically against civilians amid an intensifying conflict. Our teams in Tawila, North Darfur, provided medical care to over 300 survivors in just two months.
www.msf.org
September 27, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Since 2023, non-Arab communities are facing killings, rape & torture in Darfur, Sudan.
Despite immense barriers & the ongoing violence, over 600 victims/survivors of sexual violence have sought care at our facilities between April and August 2025.
Despite immense barriers & the ongoing violence, over 600 victims/survivors of sexual violence have sought care at our facilities between April and August 2025.
Reposted
This October marks 25 years of the #WPS agenda. The best way to celebrate? By taking action to ensure its future.
Join us in telling Member States it's time to act to defend the values of the WPS agenda: wps.ngo/sign
Join us in telling Member States it's time to act to defend the values of the WPS agenda: wps.ngo/sign
September 15, 2025 at 2:40 PM
This October marks 25 years of the #WPS agenda. The best way to celebrate? By taking action to ensure its future.
Join us in telling Member States it's time to act to defend the values of the WPS agenda: wps.ngo/sign
Join us in telling Member States it's time to act to defend the values of the WPS agenda: wps.ngo/sign
Reposted
We are appalled and saddened as we mourn our colleague Hussein Alnajjar, who died yesterday in Gaza, Palestine, from shrapnel injuries following an Israeli strike near his tent five days earlier. He is our 13th colleague to be killed.
MSF mourns thirteenth colleague killed in Gaza | MSF
Hussein Alnajjar, an MSF nurse, was killed following an airstrike near his tent in Gaza. MSF mourns his loss, the thirteenth of colleagues in Gaza to be killed.
www.msf.org
September 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
We are appalled and saddened as we mourn our colleague Hussein Alnajjar, who died yesterday in Gaza, Palestine, from shrapnel injuries following an Israeli strike near his tent five days earlier. He is our 13th colleague to be killed.
Reposted
Offener Brief von Hilfsorganisationen: Bundesregierung soll von den USA angeordnete Vernichtung von #Verhütungsmitteln in #Europa stoppen
www.deutschlandfunk.de/hilfsorganis...
Die Bestände, die sich in einem Lager in Belgien befinden, waren ursprünglich für Programme der USAID vorgesehen.
www.deutschlandfunk.de/hilfsorganis...
Die Bestände, die sich in einem Lager in Belgien befinden, waren ursprünglich für Programme der USAID vorgesehen.
Offener Brief - Hilfsorganisationen: Bundesregierung soll von den USA angeordnete Vernichtung von Verhütungsmitteln in Europa stoppen
Hilfsorganisationen haben an die Bundesregierung appelliert, sich gegen die von den USA angeordnete Vernichtung von Verhütungsmitteln einzusetzen.
www.deutschlandfunk.de
August 29, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Offener Brief von Hilfsorganisationen: Bundesregierung soll von den USA angeordnete Vernichtung von #Verhütungsmitteln in #Europa stoppen
www.deutschlandfunk.de/hilfsorganis...
Die Bestände, die sich in einem Lager in Belgien befinden, waren ursprünglich für Programme der USAID vorgesehen.
www.deutschlandfunk.de/hilfsorganis...
Die Bestände, die sich in einem Lager in Belgien befinden, waren ursprünglich für Programme der USAID vorgesehen.
Reposted
BREAKING: At least 250 people killed in a 6.0 magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, officials say.
A strong earthquake in eastern Afghanistan kills at least 250 people
A strong earthquake in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border has killed at least 250 people and injured at least 500 others.
bit.ly
September 1, 2025 at 5:10 AM
BREAKING: At least 250 people killed in a 6.0 magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, officials say.
Reposted
Die #Trump-Regierung plant weiterhin die Vernichtung von Verhütungsmitteln im Wert von 9,7 Mio $, die in Belgien lagern.
Gemeinsam mit anderen Orgas fordern wir die Bundesregierung auf, Druck auf alle Beteiligten auszuüben, um diesen Plan zu verhindern & die Bestände sinnvoll zu nutzen: msf.de/1du
Gemeinsam mit anderen Orgas fordern wir die Bundesregierung auf, Druck auf alle Beteiligten auszuüben, um diesen Plan zu verhindern & die Bestände sinnvoll zu nutzen: msf.de/1du
August 28, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Die #Trump-Regierung plant weiterhin die Vernichtung von Verhütungsmitteln im Wert von 9,7 Mio $, die in Belgien lagern.
Gemeinsam mit anderen Orgas fordern wir die Bundesregierung auf, Druck auf alle Beteiligten auszuüben, um diesen Plan zu verhindern & die Bestände sinnvoll zu nutzen: msf.de/1du
Gemeinsam mit anderen Orgas fordern wir die Bundesregierung auf, Druck auf alle Beteiligten auszuüben, um diesen Plan zu verhindern & die Bestände sinnvoll zu nutzen: msf.de/1du
Reposted
Heute findet im #UN-Sicherheitsrat die Debatte zu sexualisierter Gewalt in Konflikten statt, bei der der jährliche Bericht des UN-Generalsekretärs vorgestellt wird. Der diesjährige Fokus ist die ganzheitliche Versorgung von Überlebenden. [1/3]
August 19, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Heute findet im #UN-Sicherheitsrat die Debatte zu sexualisierter Gewalt in Konflikten statt, bei der der jährliche Bericht des UN-Generalsekretärs vorgestellt wird. Der diesjährige Fokus ist die ganzheitliche Versorgung von Überlebenden. [1/3]
Reposted
#Gaza: The health care sector is experiencing a catastrophic situation. Hospitals are stretched beyond capacity.
Hospitals are reporting 300% or higher occupancies.
Hear from 5 of our colleagues share the dire situations they and their patients are facing: youtube.com/shorts/-HevW...
Hospitals are reporting 300% or higher occupancies.
Hear from 5 of our colleagues share the dire situations they and their patients are facing: youtube.com/shorts/-HevW...
Hospitals are extremely overcrowded in #Gaza
YouTube video by Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières
youtube.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:28 PM
#Gaza: The health care sector is experiencing a catastrophic situation. Hospitals are stretched beyond capacity.
Hospitals are reporting 300% or higher occupancies.
Hear from 5 of our colleagues share the dire situations they and their patients are facing: youtube.com/shorts/-HevW...
Hospitals are reporting 300% or higher occupancies.
Hear from 5 of our colleagues share the dire situations they and their patients are facing: youtube.com/shorts/-HevW...
Reposted
Abortion providers are more than just doctors. They are midwives, nurses, medical assistants, doulas, administrative professionals, and clinic defenders.
August 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Abortion providers are more than just doctors. They are midwives, nurses, medical assistants, doulas, administrative professionals, and clinic defenders.
Reposted
Our teams in Goma, #DRC, continue to record alarming levels of sexual violence cases.
Between January and April 2025, over 7,400 people were treated in Goma and 2,400 more were treated in Saké.
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/surviving-se...
Between January and April 2025, over 7,400 people were treated in Goma and 2,400 more were treated in Saké.
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/surviving-se...
August 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Our teams in Goma, #DRC, continue to record alarming levels of sexual violence cases.
Between January and April 2025, over 7,400 people were treated in Goma and 2,400 more were treated in Saké.
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/surviving-se...
Between January and April 2025, over 7,400 people were treated in Goma and 2,400 more were treated in Saké.
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/surviving-se...
Reposted
The US government’s plan to destroy $9.7 million worth of contraceptives is a callous waste that puts the health and lives of women and girls at risk. www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/uncon...
Unconscionable: US plan to destroy $9.7 million of contraceptives
MSF condemns the decision to destroy these critical medical supplies, which will have devastating consequences for the communities where we work.
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
July 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The US government’s plan to destroy $9.7 million worth of contraceptives is a callous waste that puts the health and lives of women and girls at risk. www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/uncon...
Reposted
What happens when ideology trumps health? Nearly $10 million in U.S.-purchased birth control faces destruction in Europe.
France Must Not Be Complicit in U.S. Effort to Destroy Contraceptives
France Must Not Be Complicit in U.S. Effort to Destroy Contraceptives: U.S.-purchased birth control faces destruction in Europe.
msmagazine.com
August 7, 2025 at 10:07 PM
What happens when ideology trumps health? Nearly $10 million in U.S.-purchased birth control faces destruction in Europe.
Reposted
In a bullshit decision, a German court has upheld a ban on abortion procedures in a Catholic-run hospital, as 2,000 people joined a protest against the measure. Dr. Joachim Volz said hospital management had forbade abortion even in serious cases, and women could be stigmatized and forced to travel.
German court upholds ban on abortions in Catholic-run hospital
A ban on abortion procedures in a Catholic-run hospital was upheld by a German court on Friday, as 2,000 people
www.dailyfinland.fi
August 10, 2025 at 2:59 AM
In a bullshit decision, a German court has upheld a ban on abortion procedures in a Catholic-run hospital, as 2,000 people joined a protest against the measure. Dr. Joachim Volz said hospital management had forbade abortion even in serious cases, and women could be stigmatized and forced to travel.
Reposted
South Darfur, Sudan is facing a deadly cholera outbreak. As of 5 August, the Ministry of Health in South Darfur reported 1,440 suspected cases and 74 deaths. We are supporting cholera treatment centres that are now overwhelmed. We need @unicef.org and WHO to act now.
August 8, 2025 at 12:35 PM
South Darfur, Sudan is facing a deadly cholera outbreak. As of 5 August, the Ministry of Health in South Darfur reported 1,440 suspected cases and 74 deaths. We are supporting cholera treatment centres that are now overwhelmed. We need @unicef.org and WHO to act now.