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.  

Väestöliitto (The Family Federation of Finland) is an umbrella organization for agencies working in the field of health and social affairs in relation to population and family policy issues. It offers free sex education services to young people through the Open House Youth Counselling Service which provides personal and telephone counselling on topics such as sexuality, contraception, and dating. It runs programmes in schools to highlight population and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues. Väestöliitto has a well-developed condom sales scheme via the Slot Machine Association. It is involved in scientific research into new contraceptive methods, it has 3 infertility clinics, and it maintains sperm and embryo banks. The Member Association operates a project called 'Full Life' which is aimed at adults over 40 years old and offers counselling on menopause, ageing and sexuality, and it also runs 2 family clinics which provide sexual therapy, and relationship therapy for individuals, couples and families. The organization collaborates closely with IPPF Member Associations in Estonia and Latvia to train teachers in sex education. Väestöliitto also advocates for increased international aid for family planning and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and runs projects in Mexico, Vietnam and Malawi. Contacts Website: www.vaestoliitto.fi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaestoliitto Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vaestoliitto