Member Associations

Somaliland has an estimated population of between 3.5 and 4 million people and one of the world’s highest maternal, neonatal and infant mortality levels. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a major problem in Somaliland with a prevalence close to 98%. Literacy rate is around 18% and Unemployment is extremely high with most families receiving remittance from family members abroad to meet their basic needs. Traditionally, the Somali people are nomadic. The infrastructure is very poor in terms of roads, human resources, water and electricity and that increase the difficulty in reaching a population on the move. Nevertheless, with all of those issues, The Somaliland people have demonstrated that they are a resilient, self reliant, consensus building and democratic people with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Our Vision is a Somaliland in which every member is able and empowered to seek reproductive health information and services. And that those services are safe, available, accessible and affordable. Our mission is to increase the number and quality of services the Somaliland people receive through direct service, advocacy campaigns, trainings and research. Membership stands at around 100 Members representing Parents, midwives, nurses, doctors, youth and religious Leaders. Current Programs include counseling training for nurse/midwives, Every mother must receive birth spacing counseling ( pilot project at Edna Hospital), Islam and modern methods of birth spacing: Workshops with religious leaders, On campus events focusing on FGM, birth spacing, being a young woman and a mother, SRHR resource Library, HIV/AIDS: getting to zero in Somaliland. Partnerships are with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowment,  Ministry or Social Affairs and Labour, Edna Adan University Hospital, SOLNAC – Somaliland National Aids Commission, SLNMA – Somaliland Nursing and Midwifery Association, PSI International and with UNFPA Contacts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Somaliland-Family-Health-Association-SOFHA-582429758521238/

In Botswana, HIV prevalence rates are among the highest in the world: over 33% of the total population is living with HIV and AIDS. There’s a severe shortage of skilled health personnel, and very limited resources in the national health system. Formed in 1988, the Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) is fighting hard to fill the gap, but the challenge is enormous. The organization’s programmes target young people, sex workers, orphans, people with hearing and speech problems, and internally displaced persons. It provides family planning, infertility management, maternity services, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), antenatal care and the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and AIDS.   Most of BOFWA's clients are poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or under-served. BOFWA uses a variety of different methods to reach poor and marginalized groups and communities, and works hard to develop acceptance of, and support for sexual and reproductive health services and programmes among community leaders, politicians and the police. BOFWA is proud of its achievements, but knows that there is an immense amount of work to be done. BOFWA aims to expand its services substantially in years to come. BOFWA works in close partnership with the National Council on Population and Development (NCPD, a government agency), with non-governmental organizations including Botswana Christian Aids Intervention (BOCAIT) and with private sector groups including the Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Barclays Bank of Botswana, and Barlow World. BOFWA also partners with the Botswana Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS, the Botswana National Youth Council and the Botswana Network of Ethics and Law for HIV and AIDS. Contacts Website: http://www.bofwa.org.bw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Botswana-Family-Welfare-Association-275893025804336/