Member Associations

One of IPPF’s central beliefs is that processes and approaches need to be adapted to meet the specific needs of a country. In Lesotho, a country with one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, LPPA is very active in finding new ways to address neglected needs. LPPA provides a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive health including: family planning, the  management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs),  screening for cancers of the reproductive system, the distribution of contraceptives and emergency contraceptives, pregnancy testing, post-abortion care, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and the management of infections. Clients are referred to other centres for CD4 tests and ARV treatment.  LPPA reaches out to the communities it serves through 47 service points: 10 permanent clinics, 9 private providers, 30 associated agencies, 90 peer educators and 14 community-based distributors (CBDs). There are 54 permanent staff who are supported by over 200 volunteers. An estimated 75% of LPPA's clients are poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or under-served. Target groups include cattle herders, prisoners, rural populations, factory workers, university students, police trainees and people living with HIV and AIDS.  LPPA targets out-of-school children, and disseminates SRH information through drama, puppetry, sports for life, and facilitated discussions. Other education programmes include health talks, workshops, performances and radio and TV shows. In advocacy, LPPA reaches out to teachers, religious leaders and government leaders to promote favourable approaches to, and legislation on, SRH.  LPPA has influential partnerships with government health and population departments, and it partners with major non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Donors include Irish Aid, UNDP, the Japan Trust Fund, and IPPF’s Korea Africa Fund. The Member Association has strong linkages with other organizations across the country, particularly in relation to HIV and AIDS. Website: www.lppa.org.ls  

Associação Para o Planeamento da Família (APF) is a vibrant and dynamic Member Association which has played a key role in advancing the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) agenda in the country. It has 10 regional delegations operated by volunteer staff, and works closely with health and education professionals, and with professionals engaged in community intervention, particularly with reference to the SRH needs of young people. Information, education, training and advocacy are central to APF’s work. APF runs programmes in fields such as sexual orientation, early pregnancy and motherhood, teenage parenthood, abortion, contraception, male SRH, and the prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and AIDS. The Member Association played a crucial role in a long campaign to legalize abortion in the country. A bill to allow abortions up until the 10thweek of pregnancy finally received parliamentary approval in 2007. APF manages a resource centre, which has an extensive library of information and publications on SRH. It operates a telephone helpline (Sexuality Online) which provides information, support, counselling and referral services for young people, and a second helpline dedicated to assisting individuals in need of advice over unwanted pregnancy. Over the years, the Member Association’s service delivery and advocacy work has made an invaluable contribution to improvements in SRH and maternal and child health and to contraceptive awareness, understanding and use. It has also helped to produce a significant reduction in numbers of teenage pregnancies.     Contacts Website: www.apf.pt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apfamilia