Member Associations

The Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) was established in 1965 by pioneers in obstetrics and gynaecology in response to increases in maternal, neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity. As the statistics show, Sudan is a country in great need of frontline sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Advocacy, and undertaking information, education and communication (IEC) programmes are critical. The organization has a strong team of health personnel and professional staff that operate 389 service points. These diverse outlets and outreach services are designed to secure the greatest possible access, particularly for vulnerable groups. Outlets include 11 permanent clinics and 4 mobile units, and the organization works in conjunction with 62 associated operations, 60 private physicians, and over 90 other agencies. 158 community-based distributors/community-based services (CBDs/CBSs) provide the essential platform of on-the-ground support which enables SFPA to meet an estimated 64% of the country’s current demand for contraceptive pills. A major priority for SFPA is improving the status of women and enhancing their understanding of their rights. The organization allies SRH closely with development initiatives for women. Economic independence, or the capacity to make a significant contribution to a family’s income, empowers women, and with economic empowerment comes the potential for greater control over reproductive health and family planning. In Sudan (particularly in rural areas) harmful practices such as female genital mutilation are widespread. SFPA is vigorous in combating FGM. SFPA has played a key role in the design, testing and implementation of the HIV and AIDS Stigma Index, and has undertaken critical work in HIV prevention initiatives amongst at-risk groups. It’s a founder member of the Sudan AIDS Network (SAN). It’s highly active as a technical adviser to the government on population policy, and it advocates strenuously for financial and political support for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).    

Väestöliitto (The Family Federation of Finland) is an umbrella organization for agencies working in the field of health and social affairs in relation to population and family policy issues. It offers free sex education services to young people through the Open House Youth Counselling Service which provides personal and telephone counselling on topics such as sexuality, contraception, and dating. It runs programmes in schools to highlight population and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues. Väestöliitto has a well-developed condom sales scheme via the Slot Machine Association. It is involved in scientific research into new contraceptive methods, it has 3 infertility clinics, and it maintains sperm and embryo banks. The Member Association operates a project called 'Full Life' which is aimed at adults over 40 years old and offers counselling on menopause, ageing and sexuality, and it also runs 2 family clinics which provide sexual therapy, and relationship therapy for individuals, couples and families. The organization collaborates closely with IPPF Member Associations in Estonia and Latvia to train teachers in sex education. Väestöliitto also advocates for increased international aid for family planning and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and runs projects in Mexico, Vietnam and Malawi. Contacts Website: www.vaestoliitto.fi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaestoliitto Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vaestoliitto