| 31 March 2016
Association Comorienne pour le Bien-Etre de la Famille
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.
| 31 March 2016
Kazakhstan Association on Sexual and Reproductive Health (KMPA)
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.