Member Associations

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.

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.