Member Associations

The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND) The Democratic Republic of Congo is vast: it is Africa’s second largest country and has nearly 68 million inhabitants. The sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges are correspondingly immense, with the country recording some of the poorest SRH statistics globally. The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND) was founded in 1977, and since then it has worked tirelessly to drive changes which will secure a better future for the country. ABEF-ND offers sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, education and communication for young people. It offers HIV and AIDS prevention and management services, and community-based distribution of contraceptives. It also advocates strenuously around SRH issues with legislators and health professionals. As such, it’s central to shaping relevant national policies. It achieved this through static clinics, associated clinics and community-based distributors (CBDs) and community-based services (CBSs). ABEF-ND has a small number of staff who are backed by a large body of volunteers: together, they are determined to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. ABEF-ND works in partnership with the Ministry of Health, and in the private sector with faith-based health facilities. Non-governmental organizations partners include Service Centrale d'Education à la Vie (SCEV), the Women’s Action Network (RAF), Radios for the Consolidation of Peace (RCP+), Amo Congo. Donors include Programme National de Lutte contre le Sida (PNLS), UNFPA, UNHCR and GTZ. It is a Member of the National Council of NGOs against AIDS.  

Pro Familia is the country’s leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) organization. It delivers a range of SRH services through 182 clinics, including counselling in fertility regulation, interpersonal relationships, sexuality and violence, sexuality and disability, and women’s health issues.  Pro Familia is active in sex education nationwide (particularly for young people and marginalized groups), and it trains SRH professionals. Pro Familia is very active in advocacy, pressing to improve German SRHR law and initiating international petitions to address grave infringements of women’s rights in (for example) Afghanistan. Abortion is a sensitive, divisive, and recurrent SRHR issue in Germany, and Pro Familia has worked hard to lobby for a reasoned approach to, and understanding of, the need for freedom of choice. The organization is also involved in international co-operation. It conducted a programme development workshop with the Member Associations of the Czech and Slovak Republics, and with other Eastern European groups on challenging prescriptive opposition to human rights related to sexual health and family planning.   Contacts Website: www.profamilia.de Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profamilia.deutschland