Member Associations

Established in Jerusalem in 1964, the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) is highly active organization both as an advocate for improved sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and in the delivery of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. These include family planning (FP) services (such as the provision of contraceptives of all sorts), counseling and guidance for women in psychological, legal and social matters, lab tests (for both men and women), maternal, antenatal and post-natal care, and infertility services, delivered through 8 service delivery points in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In total, PFPPA delivered over 105,000 SRH services in 2010, benefiting 53,029 men and women.  Empowerment of women, and spreading awareness of women’s economic and property rights, is a significant need in Palestine. PFPPA regularly conducts activities led by legal, medical and psychological experts to focus on issues such as polygamy, segregation in education, family planning in the context of Muslim family life, and pre-marital /post-material relations between the sexes. In addition, the PFPPA aims to strengthen SRH knowledge and life-skills of male and female adolescents, and to promote acknowledgement of their rights, by making sexuality education available to promote a sexual life free of violence and discrimination. Approaches include awareness sessions, radio and TV spots, open educational days, cultural and scientific workshops and seminars, the promotion of centers and services, meeting and dialogues with community religious and official leaders, free medical campaigns, home visits, workshops, seminars and youth initiatives inside and outside Palestine, and the provision of FP publications . PFPPA has contributed to many positive changes in attitudes and beliefs through advocating for legal modifications of specific articles/codes that contravene women’s rights. The PFPPA has highlighted a number of issues sensitive to the Palestinian conservative society including combating HIV/AIDS, unsafe abortion, and violence against women. PFPPA enjoys mutually respectful and complementary relationships with Ministries, civil society organizations, NGOs, donors, community and religious leaders in Palestine, which facilitates networking, communication and implementation of joint projects in support of PFPPA goals and objectives.  Contacts Website: www.pfppa.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PFPPA-277999585459 Twitter: https://twitter.com/PFPPA

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