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.

Since its establishment more than 25 years ago, CIFWA has played a major role in expanding the range of SRHR services in the Cook Islands. Obstetrics, family planning (FP), HIV Prevention and STI Treatment including Voluntary Confidentiality Counseling are now available in addition to breast and cervical screenings and treatment of other gynecological disorders. The association is currently working with the Government through the support from the Board President who is currently the Government’s clerk in pushing forward the Family Law Bill. The Bill is expected to be passed in July of 2016 after the public consultation. It continues its work in the area of advocacy and this has encouraged more donor support to the work that they are doing in the area of provision of services to the rural and remote islands.