Member Associations

Guinea-Bissau is one tenth the size of its neighbour Guinea-Conakry, but its people suffer equally distressing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems. The Associação Guineense para o Bem Estar Familiar was established in 1993 to address the major issue in family planning: equipping couples to make active, informed choices about the number of children they would have, and when they would have them.   Since then, the Member Association’s work has expanded to embrace a full range of SRH concerns. It provides young people with information, education and communication (IEC) and behaviour change communication (BCC) around sexual and reproductive health; it works on the prevention, diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) includind HIV; it provides post-abortion care and support; it provides care for victims of gender-based violence (GBV); and it advocates strongly at government level for legislation to prevent GBV. Associação Guineense para o Bem Estar Familiar achieved these results through a small but committed team that operate over hundred service points, including static clinics and community-based service points. Despite the relatively small size of the organization, it is growing rapidly with strong central support from IPPF, influential government partnerships, and backing from non-governmental organizations including UNFPA.

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.