Member Associations

Established in 2004 by Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan, Respect, Educate, Nurture, Empower Women (RENEW) became an Associate Member Association of IPPF in November 2009. It aims to be the leading organization in shaping the future role of women in Bhutanese Society, helping to reduce vulnerabilities while nurturing and empowering them. Their work is focused on reaching poor, disadvantaged and adolescent girls and women. RENEW has a widespread community-based support (CBS) system (established in 20 districts), and a community outreach programme run from the RENEW centre. Work focuses on sensitization with regard to HIV and AIDS, education in family planning approaches and contraceptive methods, and enhancing the safety of pregnancy and childbirth. A clear problem in Bhutan is the unequal position of women. One of the expressions of gender inequality is high levels of gender-based violence (GBV) which is seen as a natural part of married life, and not as an issue. RENEW has a vigorous education programme designed to reverse such attitudes. Bhutan is a unique country: all development is based on promoting Gross National Happiness (GNH), and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, acceptance of every individual’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and the practical realization of those rights are regarded as critical components in increasing GNH. Given this political context, RENEW has ambitious targets. Although it has only been established for 10 years, it is making remarkable strides towards the achievement of better SRH and SRHR outcomes for the nation and its people.

LLAVES is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Allan Dunaway and Rosa Gonzalez in response to the particular needs of people living with HIV, specifically in the defense of the human rights of this population. LLAVES has developed expertise in the area of communication and uses it as a vehicle for primary and secondary prevention of HIV and other STIs, human rights advocacy, political advocacy, promotion of values, as well as the involvement of other key actors in the response to the epidemic, and its territorial areas of work are regional, national and international. LLAVES seeks to enhance the availability and quality of access to and use of key information, products and services for development that contribute significantly to improving the lives of people living with HIV and other vulnerable groups. The advocacy developed by LLAVES has been instrumental in achieving access to comprehensive care for people living with HIV, as well as a legal framework such as the special HIV Law and its reform. LLAVES has also been active in the development and implementation of the Five Year Plan on HIV and Human Rights: Reducing Human Rights Related Barriers to Access to HIV Services, an ambitious plan that aims to reduce legal, policy, scientific and community gaps. It comprises seven program areas, aimed at strengthening programs to protect and promote human rights, because human rights-related barriers impede the reach, use and impact of comprehensive HIV prevention and care services.   Instagram Twitter