Member Associations

The BFPA also known as the Barbados Family Planning Association is a benevolent organization created to protect, serve, and empower every Barbadian with their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights embedded in a human and Sexual rights approach. The Association carries out its mission in the following ways clinical and medical service; education; national, community and individual intervention programs; strategic advocacy; intense research; provision of data; and most importantly protecting the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society. It was established by an act of Parliament in 1954 and governed by an elected group of volunteers. The Association is an independent entity and governed by a constitution. The BFPA for transparency and accountability is governed by a Board of Ten (10) Elected Directors (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relation Officer and Five Floor members which consist of two youth members). For further accountability and transparency, several government agencies have ex-officio representatives on the Board these are the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Innovation, and the private sector. The diversity is further reflected through our Board and member with additional ex-officio e.g., LGBTQI Persons, Women’s groups, youth, and other partners. The Association is operationally managed by an Executive Director who is supported by highly technical, skilled, and qualified staff. Through a well-managed and sustainable revitalization process, the BFPA membership and board reflects the diversity that is in Barbados, with the following characteristics:  age, ethnicity, religious preference, disability, sexuality, and socio-economic diversity. The BFPA has one location which is a comprehensive clinical facility and community social service hub. With the reorganisation of the work of the BFPA under the societal impact and sustainability pillars of Medical and Clinical Services, Commodity Distribution, Sexual Rights Advocacy and Intervention Programming, Counselling and Mental Health Support, and lastly the protection of the freedom of all to have Sexual Pleasure in a safe, respectful, and private manner.  

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