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

In February 2024, Family Planning New Zealand changes its name to Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa. Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa runs 30 permanent clinics which offer a range of sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptive advice and prescriptions, insertion of contraceptive implants and intra uterine devices, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, pregnancy testing and advice, and cervical screening. Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa provides early medical abortion at two of its clinics. We also provide clinical training and development courses for doctors, nurses, midwives and other health professionals.   We also run schools-based clinics, predominantly in high needs areas, and its health promoters operate out of 15 locations across the country. The health promoters work with schools, parents, and caregivers to lead courses on sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Since sexuality education became a compulsory component of the health curriculum in New Zealand schools in 2001, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa has developed a range of curriculum aligned teaching resources and courses to support teachers and school staff to deliver effective SRH lessons.  The organisation plays a key role in advocating at national and international level for legislative change to promote the right to control SRH as a fundamental human right. It is the secretariat for the New Zealand Parliamentarians Group on Population and Development, where the organisation’s expertise in delivering services to answer people’s SRH needs provides a practical grounding for policy improvements.  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swaotearoa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexualwellbeingaotearoa TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sexualwellbeingaotearoa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sexualwellbeingaotearoa