Member Associations

The Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL), established in 1959, works on a range of serious sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues to improve people's health and quality of life. A key focus is to improve access to maternal health care, to reduce the risk of maternal and infant death. PPASL accesses the community through 5 service points, 12 workplace outreach projects, and 3 youth centres, via a 40-strong permanent staff team, backed by nearly 300 volunteers, 9 community-based distributors (CBDs) and a Youth Action Movement membership of 150. There is a 90% prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country, and finding ways to handle the attendant psychological and physical trauma is one of the organization’s major challenges. Much of PPASL’s work is directed towards behaviour change communication (BCC) among community leaders, police and army personnel and Muslim and Christian groups. Safe motherhood, family planning, and the sensitisation of young people to SRH concerns are also central to the direct services which PPASL provides.    The Member Association works in partnership with government health and development ministries and the Sierra Leone Armed Forces Hospitals. Non-governmental organization (NGO) partners include the Reproductive Health Service, CHASL, MSSL, National AIDS Secretariat/SHARP and the Marie Stopes Society. PPASL receives financial support from UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Plan International, MOHS & RH UNIT, Marie Stopes Society, SL Red Cross Society and Action Aid. 

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.