Member Associations

The Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL), established in 1959, works on a range of serious sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues to improve people's health and quality of life. A key focus is to improve access to maternal health care, to reduce the risk of maternal and infant death. PPASL accesses the community through 5 service points, 12 workplace outreach projects, and 3 youth centres, via a 40-strong permanent staff team, backed by nearly 300 volunteers, 9 community-based distributors (CBDs) and a Youth Action Movement membership of 150. There is a 90% prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country, and finding ways to handle the attendant psychological and physical trauma is one of the organization’s major challenges. Much of PPASL’s work is directed towards behaviour change communication (BCC) among community leaders, police and army personnel and Muslim and Christian groups. Safe motherhood, family planning, and the sensitisation of young people to SRH concerns are also central to the direct services which PPASL provides.    The Member Association works in partnership with government health and development ministries and the Sierra Leone Armed Forces Hospitals. Non-governmental organization (NGO) partners include the Reproductive Health Service, CHASL, MSSL, National AIDS Secretariat/SHARP and the Marie Stopes Society. PPASL receives financial support from UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Plan International, MOHS & RH UNIT, Marie Stopes Society, SL Red Cross Society and Action Aid. 

Founded in 1933, RFSU is a non-profit membership organization aiming to promote access to sexual and reproductive health and rights — both in Sweden and internationally. RFSU has 16 local branches in Sweden and a sexual health clinic in Stockholm, also providing an invaluable source of learning for the organisation. In addition, we own a company that makes and sells condoms and wide range of products for sex, pleasure and health. To achieve our vision, of a world in which everyone is free to make decisions over their own bodies and sexuality, RFSU combines several strategies: Expertise and evidence-based knowledge and information, clinical research and global studies on SRHR lay a foundation for a solid argument for SRHR. Extensive experience in comprehensive sexuality education – guarantees the most pedagogical methods for strengthens SRHR and enhance public support for SRHR for all. Global influence and local partnerships. RFSU advocates and influences shaping the political agenda on gender equality (as well as SRHR) in Sweden and internationally. Much of this work is done with partners - for us, partnership is a fundamental way of working. We channel support to civil society organisations in a number of countries (Bolivia, Kenya, Ghana, Liberia, Georgia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) and with regional networks in Asia, Africa and Latin America. We also work with organisations and networks in Brussels, Geneva and New York to secure strong support for SRHR in international agreements, and to ensure their implementation.