Member Associations

The population of the Ivory Coast suffers from a litany of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems common to many countries on the continent: frighteningly high rates of maternal death, early pregnancies, child mortality and HIV prevalence, coupled with very low rates of contraceptive use. Additionally, instances of female genital mutilation (FGM) are frequent and the SRH and psychological repercussions that the practice presents are severe. The Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien-Etre Familial (AIBEF) was founded in 1979. It works closely with the National Population Bureau in the planning and implementation of the National Population Policy and the National Youth Policy. The government and legislators have called on the organization for advice and counsel because it is the one of the most experienced organizations in the field and has unparalleled expertise drawn from ground level experience. To complement and expand its scope, AIBEF partners with a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including the Futures Group, Pathfinder International, the Population Council, John Hopkins University, John Snow International, Columbia University and Family Health International. Major donors include the European Union, IPPF’s Japan Trust Fund, The Global Fund Against TB and Malaria, Alliance International and the World Bank. Additionally, it partners with Collectif des ONG de Lutte contre le Sida en Côte d’Ivoire and RIOF – national networks whose primary objective is to increase SRH capacity.  

The Fédération Francophone Belge pour le Planning Familial et l'Education Sexuelle serves Belgium's Wallonian community. It runs 42 centres, where it conducts training in family planning for health personnel, and an information and documentation centre. The organisation is prominent in the promotion of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights, and has organized a solidarity campaign for Algerian migrant women.      

Sensoa serves Belgium’s Flemish community. It is the official government partner in the Flemish region with regard to sexual health and SRH promotion. The organzsation was created in 2003 from the merger of several HIV and AIDS organizations and the region’s family planning association (CGSO). Its work includes information, education and communication (IEC) activities carried out through the use of social media, websites, manuals, webinars and training packages, press actions, mass media, brochures, exhibitions, teaching material, posters, targeted at professionals working with youth, young adults, adults, men who have sex with men and people living with HIV and AIDS and directly towards these target groups as well. Sensoa also runs a training centre, an online shop and a counselling service for people living with HIV and AIDS. Additionally, the organization has an international programme which is primarily involved in advocacy for sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV and AIDS in Belgium’s international development cooperation, and on associated capacity building.