Member Associations

Guinea-Bissau is one tenth the size of its neighbour Guinea-Conakry, but its people suffer equally distressing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems. The Associação Guineense para o Bem Estar Familiar was established in 1993 to address the major issue in family planning: equipping couples to make active, informed choices about the number of children they would have, and when they would have them.   Since then, the Member Association’s work has expanded to embrace a full range of SRH concerns. It provides young people with information, education and communication (IEC) and behaviour change communication (BCC) around sexual and reproductive health; it works on the prevention, diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) includind HIV; it provides post-abortion care and support; it provides care for victims of gender-based violence (GBV); and it advocates strongly at government level for legislation to prevent GBV. Associação Guineense para o Bem Estar Familiar achieved these results through a small but committed team that operate over hundred service points, including static clinics and community-based service points. Despite the relatively small size of the organization, it is growing rapidly with strong central support from IPPF, influential government partnerships, and backing from non-governmental organizations including UNFPA.

Established in June 2009 as a not-for-profit voluntary non-governmental organization, the Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (YARH) is registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs. YARH became an IPPF Member Association in 2010.  Through 2 clinics and 1 youth-friendly service centre, the Member Association provides quality services to the people of Yemen. It has 72 volunteers and staff working on HIV and AIDS issues, and on the promotion of awareness amongst young people to empower them to make informed decisions concerning their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). YARH plays a key role in building strategic partnerships with other organisations concerned with young people's programmes in Yemen, and involves the young in identifying, articulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating youth-friendly projects.  YARH is a powerful advocate for political support for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Critical partnerships include the Ministry of Public Health (Department of Reproductive Health, National AIDS programme, General Directorate for Women's and Child's Health); the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Scouts, guides, and Sport Clubs); San'a University; the Population Research and Studies Centre; local NGOs active in population and reproductive health; private universities (Science and Technology Colleague); and human rights, women and gender organizations (including the Women's National Committee and the National Information Centre). Visit YARH's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Yemeni-Association-for-Reproductive-Health