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.

ACPD is a non-for-profit organization, established in January 1993 that works for improvement of policies, legislation, the right of information and services for issues concerning population and development, including reproductive health. There are four strategic directions of ACPD work:   Advocacy on further improvement of SRHR policies, gender equality including women and youth participation in decision making processes at central and local level. Empowerment of women and youth on their SRHR rights through awareness and education, by promoting gender equality and broad society support Qualitative and accessible integrated services, which are gender sensitive and address women and young people needs ACPD maintains the leadership in promoting the broad partnership and cooperation on issues of SRHR through sustainable programmes and increase number of volunteers and supporters. ACPD is led by a board of recognized experts in the field of SRHR, social issues, gender, migration etc. It has a permanent staff around 15 people, who are qualified specialists. The organization has three multi-functional centres located in (Centre of Albania) Tirana, (South) Vlora and (North) Shkodra with 206 active members and activists. The SRH services include contraceptive care, cervical cancer prevention, HIV rapid test and counselling, pre and post abortion care, pre- and post-natal care, ultrasound examination and counselling, gender based violence counselling, sexual transmitted infections counselling, and relationships counselling and referrals. The organization has delivered a very extensive rights-based and gender-sensitive comprehensive sexuality education for children/young people in formal and informal setting. Approximately 1000 teachers and 1500 pupils are trained on CSE all over the country. ACPD and other NGOs have played an important role in advocating for sexuality education. The ACPD also provides a gateway for dialogue, networking and cooperation among stakeholders and partners on regional, national and local levels.