Member Associations

Located off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Comoros is an archipelago of 4 islands at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel between northeaster Mozambique and northwestern Madagascar. At a little over 1,800 square kilometres, it’s the third smallest nation in Africa, but has over 700,000 inhabitants. It is one of the most densely populated countries on the continent. A third of the population are women of reproductive age and the absence of essential health services presents major risks to their health and survival. High fertility levels allied to low contraceptive uptake, and widespread poverty combine to drive high risks related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). In response, the Association Comorienne pour le Bien-Être Famille (ASCOBEF) is delivering a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive health programmes and services. These include family planning, gynaecological counselling and services, antenatal care, information, education and communication (IEC) programmes and behaviour change communications (BCC) activities to promote health-seeking behaviour. It is also playing a major advocacy role in the fight against gender-based violence, and has provided extensive victim support. The majority of ASCOBEF's clients are poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or under-served. ASCOBEF deliver services and programmes supported by volunteers, Youth Action Movement members and peer educators. ASCOBEF works in partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including Réseau Femmes et Développement. It receives financial support from UNFPA, the Global Fund, UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

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.