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.

The Kazakhstan Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health (KMPA) was established in 1996. In 2002 KMPA became a full Member Association of IPPF. The organization currently has 9 branches and 4 regional offices in Almaty, Kostanay, Shymkent and Nur-Sultan. In total, there are 13 branches of KMPA. The organization’s activity is based on protecting the right of youth, men, and women to quality medical services and information in the field of sexual and reproductive health (SRH). KMPA conducts training of youth to prevent underage pregnancy, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. In addition, KMPA implements projects on family planning and promoting contraceptive methods to prevent unintended pregnancies. KMPA focuses on the following goals: (1) advocacy of sexual and reproductive rights; (2) elimination of unsafe abortion; (3) promoting condom use to prevent HIV/AIDS and decreasing stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS; (4) educating youth and teenagers on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) to allow choice and safe relations; (5) advocating for access to SRH services; (6) training healthcare professionals on family planning, contraception, safe abortion, antenatal care and consultation skills; and (7) training of teachers on SRHR, CSE, prevention of SGBV and promoting gender equality. KMPA seeks to improve the reproductive health of the population of Kazakhstan, especially the socially vulnerable, the poor, and young people, by protecting the basic reproductive rights of women, men, and young people, ensuring free and informed choices regarding SRH, providing comprehensive sexual education and high-quality information, and promoting access to SRH services. KMPA bases its activities on the principles of gender equality, freedom of decision-making and voluntary participation.