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.  

Founded in 1990, at an early stage in the country’s transition to democracy, the Societatea de Educatie Contraceptiva si Sexuala (SECS) is a true pioneer in the promotion of family planning and sex education. The organization's energies are focused on developing public awareness of women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and in advocating for high quality service delivery. SECS has also been closely involved in training sexual and reproductive health (SRH) personnel. SECS promotes sex education through training seminars for teachers, and produces material for schools and for marginalized young people in informal settings. The majority of SECS’ members are under 26 years old. It is now recognized as a national youth organization by the Ministry of Youth and Sport. SECS has worked closely with other IPPF Member Associations across Europe, and with the Ministry of Health to develop an information, education and communication (IEC) project designed to further increase awareness of the importance of SRH to the overall well-being of individuals and to society as a whole.