Member Associations

HERA (the Health Education and Research Association) was founded in 2000 as a volunteer’s movement of university students. It was in response to the country’s need for improved HIV education and treatment and for better care for people living with HIV. Since its beginnings HERA recognized the need to integrate HIV activities and services into broader sexual and reproductive health (SRH) provision. Today HERA is a leading national NGO working in the field of HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights. HERA focuses on national and international advocacy for comprehensive and right-based policies and programmes on HIV and sexual and reproductive health. It particularly advocates for sexuality education and for a women’s right to choose and access to safe abortion services.

For over 30 years, the Family Life Association of Eswatini (FLAE) has provided sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to the people of Eswatini (formally Swaziland). While family planning, antenatal, post-natal and post-abortion care form a key part of FLAE’s services, there’s a significant focus on HIV and AIDS programmes. Swaziland has some of the highest HIV and AIDS prevalence rates in the world. As a result, the prevention and management of HIV and AIDS, the provision of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), and the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) are central to FLAE’s work. FLAE has 15 service points, including 4 permanent clinics and 12 mobile facilities, staffed by a permanent team of 40 backed by 230 volunteers, 180 Youth Action Movement members and 29 peer educators. Young people are a particular target for HIV and SRH sensitization. One of FLAE’s youth centres has its own radio studio, where young people make their own programmes concerning SRH issues. These are then played during FLAE’s roadshows and by major radio stations for nationwide broadcast. This is one strand in an innovative approach to communication. FLAE peer educators also provide training to the country’s Business Coalition Against AIDS. Health, youth, education, women’s and regional development ministries are key partners for FLAE, and it has links with a large number of non-governmental organizations, including the Swaziland National Youth Council, Swaziland Health and Population Education, Population Services International, the Swaziland National AIDS Programme and PACT. Private sector partnerships include the Business Coalition Against HIV/AIDS and SWANNEPHA (a national network of organizations for people living with HIV and AIDS). FLAE is a member of the SRH Steering committee, the Gender Consortium and the Male Circumcision Task Force. Contacts Website: www.flas.org.sz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Family-Life-Association-of-Swaziland/139949066171476 Twitter: @FLAS79