Africa

The Africa Region covers 37 sub-Saharan countries and a population of over 800 million through 11,400 service points. Extreme poverty severely restricts access to sexual and reproductive health services, and restricted access to sexual and reproductive health services exacerbates the impact of poverty. Africa Region IPPF members, volunteers and health professionals work tirelessly on a whole range of initiatives across the territory.

Sexual and reproductive health services delivered in the Africa Region in 2011:

• 15.9 million contraceptive service provided
  
• 40.9 million condoms distributed
• Nearly 13 million sexual and reproductive health services provided to young people
• 5.2 million HIV-related services provided
• 49% of Member Associations provide information and education on unsafe abortion, the legal status of abortion and availability of services
  

In addition to service delivery, here are a few recent advocacy achievements:

• As a result of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria's advocacy and technical advice, government clinics in 4 states now provide free antenatal care 
  
• Family Health Options Kenya has expanded comprehensive care for people living with HIV to reach the most vulnerable, those living in urban slums
• UMATI, the Tanzanian Member Association, convened a civil society coalition and lead a successful advocacy campaign: the government allocated an additional $2.2 million of funding for contraceptive supplies this year
  
• The Family Guidance Association of Ethopia is training 14,000 government health extension workers to deliver long-acting contraceptives (impants)
• The Namibia Planned Parenthood Association has helped to develop the government's national policy on reproductive health

To find out more about IPPF's work in Africa, visit the Africa Region’s website: http://www.ippfar.org