Member Associations

Guinea-Bissau is one tenth the size of its neighbour Guinea-Conakry, but its people suffer equally distressing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems. The Associação Guineense para o Bem Estar Familiar was established in 1993 to address the major issue in family planning: equipping couples to make active, informed choices about the number of children they would have, and when they would have them.   Since then, the Member Association’s work has expanded to embrace a full range of SRH concerns. It provides young people with information, education and communication (IEC) and behaviour change communication (BCC) around sexual and reproductive health; it works on the prevention, diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) includind HIV; it provides post-abortion care and support; it provides care for victims of gender-based violence (GBV); and it advocates strongly at government level for legislation to prevent GBV. Associação Guineense para o Bem Estar Familiar achieved these results through a small but committed team that operate over hundred service points, including static clinics and community-based service points. Despite the relatively small size of the organization, it is growing rapidly with strong central support from IPPF, influential government partnerships, and backing from non-governmental organizations including UNFPA.

Based in Tbilisi, Georgia, Association HERA XXI is a women’s rights organization working from the feminist perspective. It has been actively working in the fields of healthcare, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equality since 1998. HERA XXI offers comprehensive education to vulnerable societal groups, makes quality SRHR services more accessible, promotes development of institutions of volunteerism and activism and enhances strengthening and engagement of youth and community groups. Evidence-based advocacy, partnerships, awareness-raising, and results-oriented monitoring are essential approaches for achieving HERA XXI’s programmatic goals. Target groups: Girls and women of childbearing age; Girls and women living under the poverty line; IDP girls and women; Rural population; Girls and boys aged 14 to 25; High risk groups; Ethnic minorities; The following telephone and online/remote services can be received through the HERA XXI’s Call Center (Hot-line: 20 11 221): Consultation with a doctor/reproductive specialist; Legal consultation on sexual and reproductive rights and domestic violence; Consultation of a Social Worker for Internally Displaced People (IDPs); Online consultation service of a reproductive specialist and a legal consultant for young people - the service is available on the platform – www.youth-counseling.ge. Advocacy The Association contributes to the improvement of the political, social and economic environment of the country by promoting universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, maternal health, comprehensive education on reproductive health and healthy lifestyles, improving legal environment of children’s rights in terms of SRHR, advocating youth policies at local, national and international levels, and increasing readiness and awareness of decision-makers regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights.