Civil Society Partnerships

White Ribbon Movement

The White Ribbon is an international symbol of women’s health and rights, first introduced in 1999 to highlight global efforts in improving maternal health and reducing infant mortality. Recognizing the urgent need to address preventable maternal deaths, the White Ribbon was created as an international symbol of solidarity. With the shift from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the White Ribbon movement now emphasizes a broader vision: ensuring all women can live healthy lives and make informed choices. Central to this is promotion of SRHR, as many women worldwide still face barriers to essential healthcare and education.

JOICFP leads the White Ribbon Movement in Japan, organizing initiatives to raise awareness and support for women’s health globally. Since 2016, the annual White Ribbon Run has brought together participants worldwide in support of women’s health and rights. Runners wear the official event T-shirt to symbolize unity, and a portion of the entry fees directly funds initiatives that protect women’s health globally. The 2025 White Ribbon Run saw record participation across 59 locations in Japan and nine countries. Funds raised from these events support efforts to raise awareness and increase demand for comprehensive sexuality education in Japan, as well as provide age-appropriate sexuality education to youth living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya.

The White Ribbon Movement is also promoted with support from runners of other marathon events in Japan, including the Tokyo Marathon Charity, Nagoya Women’s Marathon and Shibuya Omotesando Women’s Run. Since 2024, JOICFP has been one of the Tokyo Marathon Charity organizations. Across our 2024 and 2025 events, more than 80 charity runners from overseas ran for JOICFP.

I LADY. (Love, Act, Decide Yourself.)

Launched in 2016, I LADY. is an initiative by JOICFP aimed at raising awareness about SRHR among youth in Japan, particularly those in their teens and twenties. Many young people in Japan lack access to comprehensive sexuality education, contraception, and safe abortion options. Through education, advocacy, and empowerment, I LADY. encourages individuals to take control of their own lives and choices when it comes to relationships and sexual and reproductive health, free from societal constraints and misinformation.
Our key activities include:

1.Peer Activist Training:

I LADY. trains youth aged 15-29 to become peer activists who disseminate SRHR knowledge within their communities. The training aims to equip peers with the skills to shift perceptions away from taboo and promote informed decision-making. The Peers have held educational sessions at their universities and cafeterias, and hosted public awareness events. I LADY. conducted 6 Peer Activist Trainings in 2024, with 75 participants overall.

2.Educational Tools:

I LADY. develops educational tools such as:

I LADY. CARD: A learning kit of cards that prompts discussion on SRHR topics like love, contraception, and gender equality.
SRHR NOTE: A personal notebook designed to help young people develop life skills related to SRHR. Targeting young individuals in their teens and twenties, the notebook covers topics such as understanding one’s body, relationships with partners, sex, sexually transmitted infections, human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, pregnancy, gender, sexuality, and the state of SRHR in Japan. This notebook is available for 330 yen per copy at JOICFP’s charity shop online.
Men’s SRHR MINI BOOK for All: A booklet addressing men’s SRHR, highlighting how traditional masculinity can hinder openness about men’s struggles and access to support. It covers harmful messaging in pornography, the male erection system (including premature and delayed ejaculation), and gender equality in Japan. Readers are encouraged to engage in self-reflection and advocacy for inclusive policies. Since December 2024, the booklet has been made available for free on our website in order to increase resource accessibility in this under-reached demographic.
Pinky Rings: Created in 2010 to share SRHR messages and raise money for charity.

3.Events:

I LADY. organizes interactive workshops and events featuring experts in gender studies, sexual and reproductive health, and activism. These sessions provide accurate medical information, challenge problematic societal myths and norms, and empower individuals to advocate for themselves. For example:

In February 2024, a launch event for the “SRHR NOTE” was held with supervising doctors and staff.
We also hold youth outreach workshops in rural areas. In 2024, on-site sessions were held outside of Tokyo in 12 rural areas by utilizing SRHR NOTE, reaching 875 participants. Two sessions were also conducted in-person and online around Tokyo, reaching 50 participants.
On November 17, 2024, we held an event in Tokyo for International Men’s Day, entitled “What does masculinity mean? Reflecting on Men’s SRHR”. The goal of the event was to spread awareness on the importance, responsibility, and agency of SRHR to men in our target age range alongside the launch of the aforementioned Men’s SRHR MINI BOOK for All. Over 50 people attended the event.

School Bags for Afghanistan

Since its launch in 2004, JOICFP has donated approximately 300,000 school backpacks, called randoseru, to girls in Afghanistan to help them continue their studies. Lack of material resources is one of many reasons why girls in Afghanistan are unable to continue attending school, so our initiative aims to help decrease this barrier.

In 2024, JOICFP distributed a total of 18,720 randoseru school backpacks and stationery to 61 elementary schools in Nangarhar Province. Prior to the shipment from Japan, about 100 volunteers helped inspect the school backpacks collected from all across Japan. Donation of school backpacks and stationery is becoming all the more important when the situation surrounding women’s education in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime is still very severe, and their attendance from junior high school to university, including in the field of health care, remains prohibited.

Quotes from recipients:

“I love the blue randoseru I received. In the future, I want to become a doctor that saves sick people. I heard from my teacher that children from Japan sent these backpacks. To the people of Japan, thank you.” — Adina (Third grade)

“My father makes a living by selling vegetables from his trolley in the city. Yesterday, I asked my father to buy me a backpack, but he said he couldn’t because he does not have enough money. Today, I received this randoseru, so I am so happy. In the future, I hope to become a teacher.” — Sara (Third grade)

Emergency Humanitarian Assistance

JOICFP distributes donated supplies (both new and upcycled items) from partner companies and organizations in disaster-affected regions, with particular focus on children, women, and protection of SRHR. For example, in response to severe flooding in southern Zambia, children’s shoes were distributed at health facilities located in the flood-affected areas. During these distributions, education on SRHR, gender-based violence, and the importance of utilizing maternal and child health services was provided. In Afghanistan, where prolonged economic sanctions and drought have exacerbated a food crisis, demand for essential supplies has risen significantly. To help residents endure the harsh winter, aid clothing was distributed in impoverished areas and schools, coupled with health and hygiene education for children. Through crowdfunding, JOICFP was also able to deliver meals, as well as nutritional support food packs and supplements, to mothers and children at the Maternal and Child Health clinic we operate in Afghanistan. JOICFP has also supported relief efforts following the Sumatra earthquake and tsunami (April 2006 – May 2010) and Nepal earthquake (April 2015 – March 2016), and remains committed to future humanitarian responses.

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, JOICFP also became active in domestic humanitarian emergency responses. Listed below are the Japanese natural disasters we have responded to:

Great East Japan Earthquake (March 2011 – March 2016)
Kumamoto Earthquake (April 2016 – March 2017)
West Japan Floods and Rain Disaster (July 2018 – December 2019)
Kyushu Heavy Rain Disaster (July 2020)
Noto Peninsula Earthquake (January 2024)

After the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that occurred on January 1, 2024, JOICFP sent essential supplies to the region. Leveraging the networks developed through our previous disaster relief activities, we identified local needs and reached out to companies that could provide the necessary items. In the initial phase, we supplied baby clothing, security buzzers, innerwear, and leggings. Later, we provided skincare products, sunscreen, and panty liners according to evacuation conditions and seasonal needs. These items were distributed to women affected by the disaster, mainly through the Disaster Women Support Project and the Ishikawa Midwives Association, centered in Nanao City.

In responding to urgent situations, JOICFP recognizes the importance of working in partnership with various stakeholders such as IPPF and its Member Associations, and local governments and civil society organizations (CSOs). In Japan, we work together with the Japanese Midwives Association, Japan Family Planning Association, universities, local governments (Maternal and Child Health divisions) and CSOs to make effective, concerted responses.

JOICFP Spots

Across Japan, JOICFP Spots play a crucial role in supporting JOICFP’s mission. These local hubs engage communities in JOICFP’s work, hosting donation boxes, distributing informational materials, offering charity items, and operating as centers for events like the White Ribbon Run.
As of the end of 2024, there were 33 JOICFP Spots nationwide, including 12 in Tokyo, 3 in Kanagawa, 2 in Chiba, 1 in Gunma, 7 in Shizuoka, 2 in Osaka, 2 in Nara, 1 in Niigata, 1 in Hyogo, and 2 in Hiroshima.