Member Associations

Guinea-Bissau is one tenth the size of its neighbour Guinea-Conakry, but its people suffer equally distressing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems. The Associação Guineense para o Bem Estar Familiar was established in 1993 to address the major issue in family planning: equipping couples to make active, informed choices about the number of children they would have, and when they would have them.   Since then, the Member Association’s work has expanded to embrace a full range of SRH concerns. It provides young people with information, education and communication (IEC) and behaviour change communication (BCC) around sexual and reproductive health; it works on the prevention, diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) includind HIV; it provides post-abortion care and support; it provides care for victims of gender-based violence (GBV); and it advocates strongly at government level for legislation to prevent GBV. Associação Guineense para o Bem Estar Familiar achieved these results through a small but committed team that operate over hundred service points, including static clinics and community-based service points. Despite the relatively small size of the organization, it is growing rapidly with strong central support from IPPF, influential government partnerships, and backing from non-governmental organizations including UNFPA.

The Haiti Midwives Association was created in 2004 as a local organisation promoting the midwifery profession to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rate. They work in collaboration with other entities (such as the Ministry of Health, obstetricians, etc.) to provide and promote health and wellbeing throughout Haiti. To ensure greater visibility and recognition of the midwifery profession in Haiti, the AISFH has officially changed its name to ASFH.ASFH provides ongoing training to its members and offers preventive and treatment services in the field of sexual and reproductive health.ASFH promotes the following values:Midwifery is an essential pillar in the promotion of health and in the fight to reduce infant and maternal mortality and morbidity in Haiti.The care provided by midwives is based on respect for the well-being and dignity of the family.Midwifery provides a favourable environment for the continuity of maternal and neonatal care.Proximity to women, continuity of care, informed choice, choice of delivery site and community services are at the core of the high quality care midwives provide.Midwifery care must be accessible to all Haitian women, regardless of socio-economic status.It is important to highlight and promote the potential of midwifery to improve the well-being of women, families and society.