

| 31 March 2016
Sudan Family Planning Association
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).

| 31 March 2016
Albanian Center for Population and Development
The Albanian Center for Population and Development runs family planning clinics in Tirana and Lezha, and has branches in 6 districts of the country. The organization trains health personnel in reproductive health, post-delivery contraception and safe abortion techniques. FPAA also trains pharmacists and sex educators, and runs information, education and communication (IEC) programmes and activities in conjunction what the Albanian Foundation for Civil Society. The IEC work focuses on sensitising the general public to family planning issues and techniques. There’s also a strong strand devoted to educating young people. FPAA has significant influence with government officials and policy makers working in the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) sector, and has played a major role in drafting the country’s reproductive health legislation. The association also allies itself closely with women’s non-governmental organizations (NGOs) advocating for the delivery of improved services.