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

The Society for Health Education (SHE) was established in 1988 by 4 women. It adopts an integrated approach to health education and service delivery and its role includes increasing the accessibility of services and using the media for education and communication. The society runs outreach programmes and mobilizes voluntary support to develop projects and to maintain and enhance service provision. SHE conducts selective research to assess and report on emergent health issues (especially the high incidence of thalassaemia). SHE operates a permanent clinic offering family planning services in the Maldive’s capital, Male. From here it runs counselling services, training courses for medical, paramedical and administrative staff, screening, and genetic counselling and research with a view to reducing the number of children born with thalassaemia. In schools, SHE operates a health programme for young people, providing information on population, thalassaemia, early marriage and pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and smoking and drugs. It also produces an extensive range of health education materials including both publications and radio and television programmes.  Fundraising and income generation is a high priority for SHE which organizes a number of annual events, such as a Children's Festival and a Thalassaemia Dinner. Website: www.she.org.mv