| 31 March 2016
Reproductive & Family Health Association of Fiji
The Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF) was inaugurated in June 1996. It has played a key role in shaping national family planning policy and in promoting sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education, particularly among young people and communities in which myths about the dangers of family planning prevail. The use of contraceptives is still believed by many to cause cancer and immature childbirth. RFHAF has also undertaken concerted national advocacy work (with a particular emphasis on HIV and AIDS) through its involvement with the National Advisory Committee on AIDS and the country co-ordinating mechanism. As such, it played a critical role in securing the HIV Prevention and Treatment Decree which outlaws discrimination, promotes counselling, testing and reporting, assures confidentiality, and legislates on the supply of blood products. The organization’s committed promotion of wider awareness of SRH issues is changing attitudes, and as attitudes change, uptake of services increase.
| 31 March 2016
Irish Family Planning Association
The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) was founded in 1969. Since then, the organization has been a pioneering force in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Ireland, as an educator, a researcher, opinion former and service provider. The IFPA worked for years for the removal of the constitutional ban on abortion and, since 2019, proudly provides early abortion care among its services. In its early days, when contraception was illegal, the organization opened Ireland’s first family planning clinics. It helped establish sex education programmes in schools and set up Ireland’s first confidential sex helpline for young people. The organization provides specialist training in contraception for healthcare professionals, and on sexual health for community groups, young people and parents. The IFPA has 2 clinics in Dublin and 10 pregnancy counselling centres nationwide. It operates Ireland’s only community based FGM treatment clinic. The IFPA works for the fulfilment of the rights to respect for reproductive autonomy and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, with a particular focus on the SRHR of adolescents, young people and vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. Current priorities include: universal free access to contraception, improved sexuality education within school curricula and the removal of the remaining barriers to access to abortion care.