

| 31 March 2016
Latvian Association for Family Planning & Sexual Health
The Latvian Association for Family Planning & Sexual Health (LAFPSH) focuses on information, education and training activities for health personnel and the general public, and sex education for teachers and young people. The organization has a highly active youth group which runs a safer sex campaign (in conjunction with national media). The group also publishes an advice section in a major youth magazine dealing with problems relating to (for example) puberty, relationships, contraceptives and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It operates a telephone helpline which is run by young people, for young people. More broadly, LAFPSH runs seminars and workshops on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns such as sexuality and people with disability, gender-based violence and menopause. LAFPSH has significant influence as an advocate at government level, and has been closely involved in developing the national reproductive health programme. This is reflected in the organization’s active programme of information, education and communication (IEC) in conjunction with the Latvian Teachers Association. It has led to the training of over a 1,000 teachers in sex education. A project jointly supported by the Swedish Family Planning Association and the European Commission has enabled LAFPSH to produce and disseminate high quality materials on STIs, condoms and sex education. Contacts Website: www.papardeszieds.lv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papardeszieds Twitter: https://twitter.com/PapardesZieds

| 31 March 2016
Respect Educate Nurture Empower Women - Bhutan
Established in 2004 by Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan, Respect, Educate, Nurture, Empower Women (RENEW) became an Associate Member Association of IPPF in November 2009. It aims to be the leading organization in shaping the future role of women in Bhutanese Society, helping to reduce vulnerabilities while nurturing and empowering them. Their work is focused on reaching poor, disadvantaged and adolescent girls and women. RENEW has a widespread community-based support (CBS) system (established in 20 districts), and a community outreach programme run from the RENEW centre. Work focuses on sensitization with regard to HIV and AIDS, education in family planning approaches and contraceptive methods, and enhancing the safety of pregnancy and childbirth. A clear problem in Bhutan is the unequal position of women. One of the expressions of gender inequality is high levels of gender-based violence (GBV) which is seen as a natural part of married life, and not as an issue. RENEW has a vigorous education programme designed to reverse such attitudes. Bhutan is a unique country: all development is based on promoting Gross National Happiness (GNH), and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, acceptance of every individual’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and the practical realization of those rights are regarded as critical components in increasing GNH. Given this political context, RENEW has ambitious targets. Although it has only been established for 10 years, it is making remarkable strides towards the achievement of better SRH and SRHR outcomes for the nation and its people.