Member Associations

Gestos is a philanthropic organization founded in 1993 by sociologist Acioli Neto, journalist Alessandra Nilo, sociologist Márcia Andrade and social worker Silvia Dantas. The first project developed was supported by MISEREOR and focused on psychological care for people living with AIDS, as well as the training of information multipliers in the poorest communities of the Metropolitan Region of Recife. Since then, they have effectively contributed to guaranteeing the human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS. About 70% of the people who have sought legal support from the institution have had their rights redressed, through precautionary measures and sentences, which today are even part of the list of jurisprudence on the subject of Law and AIDS. Throughout its history, the organization has considered communication as fundamental in the fight against AIDS and has fought to expand this understanding in Pernambuco, Brazil and Latin America. This vision has consolidated Gestos as an important reference in Communication and AIDS in the country, with special emphasis on discussions on Public Policies on Health Communication. They also help to form new civil society organizations, such as the National Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (RNPVHA - 1995), the Positive Work Group - GTP+ (2000), the Group of Positive Actions (2003), the Group of Support to HIV Positive People (GASP) 2003, Acts of Citizenship (2006). From 2007 to 2011, Gestos created and coordinated the UNGASS-AIDS Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health, where it oversaw the implementation of agreements signed at the UN in sixteen developing countries. The UNGASS-AIDS Forum has established itself as a space for political debate on issues related to HIV and AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights. They are also a consultative NGO at the UN, with ECOSOC status since 2017.   Instagram Twitter

Since 1996, the Association Nigérienne pour le Bien-Etre Familial's (ANBEF) have been providing a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive healthcare including the prevention and management of HIV and AIDS, antenatal and post-natal care, the provision of post-abortion care in clinics and health huts in rural areas, treatment of male and female infertility, and pre-marital counselling. Importantly, the Member Association also trains young people in income-generating activities. ANBEF reaches out to rural and hard-to-reach communities, including street children, sex workers, vulnerable young people and rural populations.  Services are delivered by a team of permanent staff, hundreds of volunteers, peer educators and community-based distributors (CBDs). Given that a very high proportion of 15-19 year olds give birth, and risks of maternal death and rates of child mortality are among the highest in the world, ANBEF fulfils a critical need in Niger that is not met by the private sector or government providers. ANBEF’s expertise has been called upon by the Niger government’s Technical Committee for the development of the national IPCD+10 (International Conference on Population and Development) strategy. The Member Association works with non-governmental organizations including CARE International and FCI Partnerships, and it receives funding from UNFPA and Multisector Programmes (IDA/World Bank). ANBEF works closely with other specialist population, planning, youth, HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) groups in Niger.