Dear friends,
Earlier this year, we—Destiny Lopez and Jonathan Wittenberg—assumed the roles of Acting Co-CEOs of the Guttmacher Institute, bringing decades of collective experience advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). As co-leaders, our partnership is guided by shared values, complementary expertise and an aligned vision for the organization. It also reflects the way Guttmacher goes about much of our work: with equitable partnership at the center.
Two years after Roe v. Wade was overturned, the landscape for abortion access in the United States continues to evolve at a rapid clip. Guttmacher has invested heavily in documenting what abortion providers and abortion seekers are facing in this new reality. Policymakers across the country rely on our timely evidence as they seek to protect access and counter disinformation. We know challenges will continue to arise. Flexible, sustained support will allow us to remain nimble and produce actionable research that meets the moment.
Guttmacher provides our domestic and global partners with data that are reliable, relevant and actionable. Throughout our 56-year history, we’ve seen time and time again that the highest-impact research is rooted in an understanding of the population it is intended to serve. As partners, we commit to values of transparency, communication and shared resources, with the goal of strengthening capacity across our global network. Guttmacher-led research is underway in 17 countries, providing SRHR data that support evidence-based policymaking, strengthen democracy, center dignity and advance human rights.
In this report, we share stories of Guttmacher and our data in action. You’ll learn about our partners, from field workers interviewing Rohingya women in the Cox’s Bazar camp in Bangladesh to advocates powering the Green Wave across Latin America. You’ll also hear from Guttmacher staff, including those responsible for research design, data science, policy innovation and more. And you’ll see what our data is truly for: to transform people’s lives for the better.
We write this letter just weeks before a US election that has profound implications for SRHR. Regardless of the outcome, we will be ready to generate the timely data needed to protect and improve access to essential services. We hope you will draw inspiration as you read about the work of Guttmacher’s talented team and our dedicated network in the United States and abroad.
Thank you for your trust, partnership and ongoing support.
Onward,
Destiny Lopez & Jonathan Wittenberg
