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

The Society for Health Education (SHE) was established in 1988 by 4 women. It adopts an integrated approach to health education and service delivery and its role includes increasing the accessibility of services and using the media for education and communication. The society runs outreach programmes and mobilizes voluntary support to develop projects and to maintain and enhance service provision. SHE conducts selective research to assess and report on emergent health issues (especially the high incidence of thalassaemia). SHE operates a permanent clinic offering family planning services in the Maldive’s capital, Male. From here it runs counselling services, training courses for medical, paramedical and administrative staff, screening, and genetic counselling and research with a view to reducing the number of children born with thalassaemia. In schools, SHE operates a health programme for young people, providing information on population, thalassaemia, early marriage and pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and smoking and drugs. It also produces an extensive range of health education materials including both publications and radio and television programmes.  Fundraising and income generation is a high priority for SHE which organizes a number of annual events, such as a Children's Festival and a Thalassaemia Dinner. Website: www.she.org.mv