Member Associations

When it was founded in 1999, the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) focused on providing family planning services. As the organization has evolved, it has both refined and expanded its operation. Today, FPAM targets young people primarily, and reaches out to under-served rural communities. As a result, it operates 64 service points, including 53 mobile sexual and reproductive health (SRH) facilities and 4 static clinics. Its community-based distributor/services (CBDs/CBSs) profile is also very strong with 65 additional delivery points. As ever with IPPF Member Associations, the mix of outlets and approaches is very much led by the particular demographic and geographic needs of the country. FPAM also provides youth-friendly SRH information, education and behaviour change communication materials to young people at 4 youth centres, and through schools. Peer educators use group discussions, theatre performances, publications and audio-visual materials produced by community reproductive health promoters to pass on the message about good SRH practice and access to resources. The distribution of contraceptives, pregnancy testing, the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV are core to FPAM’s clinic activity. For its successful operation, the organization depends on a team of 46 full-time staff and over 600 volunteers. Over the years, FPAM has forged partnerships with health, family and youth departments in government, to advocate forward-thinking national SRH policies. It works with a variety of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including the Malawi Girl Guides Association and Banja La Mtsogolo. Financing support comes from UNFPA, IPPF’s Japan Trust Fund, the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP), UNICEF, National AIDS Commission, GTZ, and Youth Incentives. FPAM also networks with other SRH-focused groups, particularly in the fields of HIV and AIDS and youth issues.

The Union of Women Sex Workers of Paraguay (Unión de Trabajadoras Sexuales del Paraguay -UNES) is a grassroots organization founded in 2006 in Asunción by and for adult women who engage in sex work autonomously. As a member of Redtrasex, UNES advocates for the recognition of sex workers' rights, the elimination of stigma, and their social inclusion. Its main goal is to collaborate with the Paraguayan state to strengthen and expand guarantees for comprehensive healthcare access with a human rights approach. Through various projects, UNES raises awareness among healthcare professionals, distributes prevention packages (including condoms, lubricants, counseling, and rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B), and conducts community oversight visits to healthcare services. Additionally, it provides support to sex workers in accessing treatment and medical consultations. The organization promotes the political training of its leaders, builds alliances with feminist and human rights networks, and engages in public policy advocacy. UNES also works on developing legal frameworks that protect sex workers' rights, including legislative proposals such as the Sex Work Bill Proposal. Moreover, it carries out awareness-raising initiatives targeting key actors in the judicial, municipal, and governmental sectors. By strengthening partnerships with national and international organizations, UNES continues to advocate for the recognition and respect of sex workers' rights in Paraguay and across the region.   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unes_py/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNESPY