Member Associations

The Associação Moçambicana para Desenvolvimento da Família (AMODEFA) was formed in 1989. Like most IPPF Member Associations, the organization’s initial focus was family planning, but over the years it has diversified to cover a wider range of sexual and reproductive health (SHR) requirements including emergency obstetrics care, antenatal and post-natal care, and services dedicated to the prevention, treatment and management of HIV and AIDS. As high HIV prevalence rates show, there is a desperate need for sustained efforts on this front. AMODEFA has responded to the HIV and AIDS challenges with a community clinic-based approach, linked with home-based care. With private sector sites, mobile and community-based service points the Member Association raises awareness of and tackles HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination, and provides referrals.  The AMODEFA staff, who are backed by hundreds of volunteers, a youth action movement, peer educators and community-based distributors (CBDs). In its advocacy role, AMODEFA has been providing advice and pressuring the Ministry of Health Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Women and Social Action to adopt supportive national legislation and practice, particularly with regard to adolescents and youth. The Member Association works with non-governmental organizations, such as the National HIV and AIDS Council, and with private sector operations such as Enterprises Against HIV and AIDS. AMODEFA’s donors include UNFPA, WHO and the Africa Sweden Group, and the organization is a member of networks including the Network for Organizations Working on HIV and AIDS (MONASO), the National HIV and AIDS Council, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IPFAN).

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/