Member Associations

The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) was founded in 1969 in response to the appalling health and social circumstances in which many families in Ireland lived. Unmet need for contraception and high fertility resulted in high maternal mortality and morbidity, and poor child survival. Since then the organization has been a pioneering force in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Ireland. Over the years the IFPA has been an educator, a researcher, an opinion former and a service provider. It established the first family planning clinics and pregnancy counselling centres in Ireland. It publishes a comprehensive range of information booklets on contraception. It helped to establish sex education programmes in schools, and it has fought for comprehensive medical and social services for women with crisis pregnancies. The organization provides specialist training in family planning for doctors, nurses, community groups and parents. The IPFA has 2 clinics in Dublin and has 12 pregnancy counselling centres nationwide. The IFPA has clear strategies in relation to abortion and access rights, the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of adolescents and young people, and the reduction of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV.   Contacts Website: www.ifpa.ie Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/irishfamilyplanningassociation Twitter https://twitter.com/IrishFPA

Set up in 1957, the Mauritius Family Planning & Welfare Association (MFPWA) was one of the earliest organizations in Africa focusing on family planning issues. As the nation struggled to find a way to address pressing population issues, a group of advocates formed MFPWA and started to provide services directly to women. Today, the organization caters to the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of the whole community. It also has particular strands of activity relating to specific groups including sexually abused children, elderly people and marginalized populations on Rodrigues Island.  Through 2 permanent facilities, and a private sector-supported daycare centre, MFPWA’s 15 staff and 550 volunteers deliver services including family planning, the prevention and management of HIV and AIDS through voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), support for people living with HIV/AIDS, infertility management, antenatal and post-natal care, post-abortion care, the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and screening for cancers of the reproductive systems. The Member Association also operates peer-educator-led outreach programmes targeting hotels, export processing zones and popular tourist hot spots.  MFPWA has played a critical role in promoting the integration of family life education into the national school curriculum and its powerful, informed advocacy has been influential in shaping government legislation on SRH, particularly in relation to HIV and AIDS. MFPWA partners with and advises government departments which address health, quality of life, women’s rights, child development, family welfare, social security and youth and sports. MFPWA works with a large number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including the Mauritius Council of Social Service, the Mauritius Alliance of Women, PILS (People living with AIDS), SOS Pauvrete, the National Women’s Council, the Senior Citizen Council and Link. Donors include the Indian Ocean Commission and UNFPA. Website: http://mauritiusfamilyplanning.com