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.  

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