Jon O'Brien
president, Catholics for Choice

Jon O’Brien is president of Catholics for Choice (CFC), the leading international pro-choice organization that addresses sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) from a standpoint of culture, faith, and morality. He is a leader in developing global strategies to advance SRHR and effectively counter conservative religious opposition to reproductive health access. Mr. O’Brien has worked on five continents with a variety of partners including; family planning associations, health care professionals, pro-choice advocates, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers - to increase communications and advocacy efficacy in the reproductive rights and health movement. 

A life-long Catholic born and raised in the Republic of Ireland, Mr. O’Brien’s involvement in reproductive rights was sparked by his reaction to the great injustices that women face as a result of the Catholic hierarchy’s influence over public policy in that country. He worked on the front lines of reproductive health provision with the Irish Family Planning Association, developing a strategy that successfully engineered the downfall of Ireland’s restrictive contraceptive laws.  Before joining CFC in 1996, Mr. O’Brien worked with the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s European Bureau in London, overseeing the federation’s work establishing family planning clinics in Eastern Europe.

Follow Jon on Twitter: @Catholic4Choice

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