Member Associations

The Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF) was inaugurated in June 1996. It has played a key role in shaping national family planning policy and in promoting sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education, particularly among young people and communities in which myths about the dangers of family planning prevail. The use of contraceptives is still believed by many to cause cancer and immature childbirth. RFHAF has also undertaken concerted national advocacy work (with a particular emphasis on HIV and AIDS) through its involvement with the National Advisory Committee on AIDS and the country co-ordinating mechanism. As such, it played a critical role in securing the HIV Prevention and Treatment Decree which outlaws discrimination, promotes counselling, testing and reporting, assures confidentiality, and legislates on the supply of blood products. The organization’s committed promotion of wider awareness of SRH issues is changing attitudes, and as attitudes change, uptake of services increase.

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