Member Associations

The Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille (ABPF) has been operating for 38 years. ABPF offers family planning, ante-natal and post-abortion care, infertility treatment, screening of cancers of the reproductive system, and management of sexually transmitted infections (including HIV and AIDS). Its service points include permanent and mobile clinics. ABPF is focused on reaching marginalized groups such as prisoners, sex workers, refugees and internally displaced persons. The majority of clients are estimated to be poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or under-served. To reduce the national maternal mortality rate, ABPF operates an effective community-based obstetric and antenatal care service in 16 villages, using traditional birth attendants and volunteer health workers. ABPF also runs a locally-based service for young people which involves hundreds of community-based distributors (CBDs) and peer educators providing young people with sexual and reproductive health information, condoms and counselling services. In acknowledgment of ABPF’s expertise and accomplishments, the Government of Benin invited the organization to become a member of the technical committee (in the Ministry of Planning) that drafts reproductive health policies: the Population Policy, the Family Health Policy, HIV and AIDS policies and the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy. Whilst ABPF has recorded major advances in sexual and reproductive health, there are still very significant challenges as the figures for lifetime risk of maternal death, child mortality rate and unmet need for contraception of illustrate. Driving the work of ABPF is a large and dedicated team of hundreds of volunteers. There’s a Youth Action Movement which draws on the skills of young people. ABPF works in partnership with a range of government organisations, including parliament, the Ministère de la Famille, the Ministère de la Jeunesse, and the Ministère du Plan. Funders include USAID. Non-goverrnmental organizations working with ABPF include the Country Co-ordinating Mechanism for health and sexual and reproductive health.    Contacts Website: http://www.abpf.org/nouv/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABPF.IPPF/

Set up in 1991, the Association Burundaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial's (ABUBEF) original mission was to deliver family planning. Over 20 years later, the organization operates a large number of services across a broad range of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs, including prevention and management of HIV and AIDS, youth-friendly counselling and education, pre-marital counselling, and antenatal and post-natal care.  It accomplished this through 18 service points, including static and mobile clinics, and community-based services. An estimated 80% of its clients are poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or under-served.  Particular beneficiaries of ABUBEF’s services include young people living with HIV and AIDS, internally displaced persons, women of child-bearing age, sex workers, drug users and street children. ABUBEF delivers its service through a dedicated team which includes 81 staff, nearly 500 volunteers, 75 peer educators and well over 1,000 community-based distributors (CBDs). Their commitment to ABUBEF is crucial to the nation’s current and future sexual and reproductive health.   ABUBEF’s partners include donors such as UNFPA, FHI, CARE and CNLS, and it works together with organizations including Réseau National des Jeunes Engagés pour la Lutte Contre le Sida (RENAJES) and the Association pour la Promotion de la Fille Burundaise (APFB). Website: http://www.abubef.org/

Sexual and reproductive health (SHR) statistics for the Central African Republic are some of the poorest on the continent. The need for proper, informed, accessible, safe, stigma-free sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is paramount. The Association Centrafricaine pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ACABEF) came into being in 1987, expressly to address the urgent need for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Working intensively within communities, the organization has grown rapidly over the years and now provides sexuality education and SRH services including family planning, gynaecological counselling and care, post-abortion care, antenatal care and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV. ACABEF operates permanent and  mobile clinics with community-based distribution sites (CBDs). In addition to full-time health personnel and administrative staff, the organization relies on the dedicated support of hundreds of volunteers, a Youth Action Movement and over a hundred trained peer educators. And ACABEF's outcomes are impressive. The majority of all services were provided to poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or under-served people.  ACABEF works in partnership with the government ministries in charge of planning, health and family and social affairs. It benefits from the support of CISJEU and its donors include UNFPA and Population Services International. ACABEF has close working relationships include CIONGCA (which coordinates the response of all NGOs working at national level), the Central African Network of People living with HIV (RECAPEV), the Réseau des Organisations Nationales de Lutte contre le SIDA (RONALSI) and Amis d’Afrique.  

When the Association Tchadienne pour le Bien-Être Familial (ASTBEF) was formed in 1991, no one was under any illusions that it was faced with an almost impossible task as the international indices for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) demonstrate. Some suggested that it would be overwhelmed and would simply not survive. Over 20 years down the line, the organisation is thriving, thanks in large part to an immensely committed team of staff, over 1,000 volunteers, peer educators, and a strong youth action movement. The organisation runs static clinics and a number of mobile operations which offer voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV, post-abortion care, antenatal and post-natal care, treatment of opportunistic infections, treatment of male and female infertility, pre-marital counselling, and advocacy against harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and gender based violence. ASTBEF has made a considerable impact on the country’s SRH activity by integrating family planning with maternal and infant health, HIV and AIDS services, and youth-friendly education programmes and service provision. ASTBEF works in partnership with the government’s Global Fund National Coordination Council, and the High Commission for Population and Human Resources National Reproductive Health Programme Supporting Committee. Non-governmental organisation (NGO) links include the Comité d’information et de liaison and the Organisation des Acteurs non Etatiques (OANET). Private sector partners include PPFAI, NACA, HAPAC, SFH, The Central Bank of Nigeria, CAP Plc, and Nigeria Breweries, and donors who support ASTBEF’s work include UNFPA, UNICEF,  PNUD, Médecins du Monde, the US Embassy, PSR, GTZ, the Ministry of Social Action and Family Affairs.  

The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND) The Democratic Republic of Congo is vast: it is Africa’s second largest country and has nearly 68 million inhabitants. The sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges are correspondingly immense, with the country recording some of the poorest SRH statistics globally. The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND) was founded in 1977, and since then it has worked tirelessly to drive changes which will secure a better future for the country. ABEF-ND offers sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, education and communication for young people. It offers HIV and AIDS prevention and management services, and community-based distribution of contraceptives. It also advocates strenuously around SRH issues with legislators and health professionals. As such, it’s central to shaping relevant national policies. It achieved this through static clinics, associated clinics and community-based distributors (CBDs) and community-based services (CBSs). ABEF-ND has a small number of staff who are backed by a large body of volunteers: together, they are determined to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. ABEF-ND works in partnership with the Ministry of Health, and in the private sector with faith-based health facilities. Non-governmental organizations partners include Service Centrale d'Education à la Vie (SCEV), the Women’s Action Network (RAF), Radios for the Consolidation of Peace (RCP+), Amo Congo. Donors include Programme National de Lutte contre le Sida (PNLS), UNFPA, UNHCR and GTZ. It is a Member of the National Council of NGOs against AIDS.  

Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa, and the tenth most populous in the world, has enormous sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges as the statistics demonstrate. The Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015. It has a broad reach which focuses on providing poor and marginalized populations with family planning, safe abortion care, maternal and child health care, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) including HIV and AIDS and associated opportunistic infections. In the shape of permanent clinics, mobile facilities, community-based services (CBSs), FGAE has numerous service points. Staff, backed by over thousands volunteers, hundreds of peer educators and of community-based distributors (CBDs).  There’s no disguising the fact that achieving proper SRH amongst the Ethiopian people is an exhausting uphill struggle. FGAE has the will, the determination and the backing to fight for people’s rights and welfare. Access is key to the Member Association’s activity, and it works extensively with young people to inform, educate and provide essential SRH services. FGAE also runs special projects targeted at particularly vulnerable individuals and groups: street children, people living with HIV and AIDS, sex workers, and young migrants in 8 of the 11 principal Regions in Ethiopia. FGAE partners with government, with non-governmental organisations(NGOs) including the  Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth, UNFPA-Ethiopia, CARE-Ethiopia, DKT-Ethiopia, Dawn of Hope, the Ethiopian Women’s Lawyer Association, and a broad spectrum of HIV and AIDS-related operations. Private sector partners include Betezata Hospital and Janmeda/medical bio laboratories, and donors to the Member Association’s work include the Royal Netherlands Embassy, the Packard Foundation, IPPF’s Japan Trust Fund, USAID/CDC and Irish Aid. Website: www.fgaeet.org  

Established in 1985, IPPF’s Member Association in Guinea-Conakry faces many stark sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges including some of the highest fertility and child mortality rates in the world, coupled with very low levels of contraceptive use.   The Association Guinéenne pour le Bien-être Familial (AGBEF) has mounted a vigorous response to these challenges. Through its services points (static clinics, mobile clinics, associated clinics, community-based distributors (CBDs) and community-based services (CBSs) the organization reaches out to poor and marginalized groups with a particular emphasis on young women and men, and displaced persons and refugees. The Member Association’s services include disseminating information, education and communication around sexual and reproductive health (SRH); youth-friendly SRH services; prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV and AIDS through interventions such as voluntary counselling and testing (VCT); improving access to contraceptives at community level; and advocating and mobilizing the public to demand  their SRH rights. AGBEF’s team includes volunteers, peer educators and thousand of CBDs. Its youth action movement has a membership of over 100. The Member Association partners with government departments and large international NGOs to promote and develop its work.  

One of IPPF’s central beliefs is that processes and approaches need to be adapted to meet the specific needs of a country. In Lesotho, a country with one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, LPPA is very active in finding new ways to address neglected needs. LPPA provides a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive health including: family planning, the  management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs),  screening for cancers of the reproductive system, the distribution of contraceptives and emergency contraceptives, pregnancy testing, post-abortion care, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and the management of infections. Clients are referred to other centres for CD4 tests and ARV treatment.  LPPA reaches out to the communities it serves through 47 service points: 10 permanent clinics, 9 private providers, 30 associated agencies, 90 peer educators and 14 community-based distributors (CBDs). There are 54 permanent staff who are supported by over 200 volunteers. An estimated 75% of LPPA's clients are poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or under-served. Target groups include cattle herders, prisoners, rural populations, factory workers, university students, police trainees and people living with HIV and AIDS.  LPPA targets out-of-school children, and disseminates SRH information through drama, puppetry, sports for life, and facilitated discussions. Other education programmes include health talks, workshops, performances and radio and TV shows. In advocacy, LPPA reaches out to teachers, religious leaders and government leaders to promote favourable approaches to, and legislation on, SRH.  LPPA has influential partnerships with government health and population departments, and it partners with major non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Donors include Irish Aid, UNDP, the Japan Trust Fund, and IPPF’s Korea Africa Fund. The Member Association has strong linkages with other organizations across the country, particularly in relation to HIV and AIDS. Website: www.lppa.org.ls  

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).

The Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL), established in 1959, works on a range of serious sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues to improve people's health and quality of life. A key focus is to improve access to maternal health care, to reduce the risk of maternal and infant death. PPASL accesses the community through 5 service points, 12 workplace outreach projects, and 3 youth centres, via a 40-strong permanent staff team, backed by nearly 300 volunteers, 9 community-based distributors (CBDs) and a Youth Action Movement membership of 150. There is a 90% prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country, and finding ways to handle the attendant psychological and physical trauma is one of the organization’s major challenges. Much of PPASL’s work is directed towards behaviour change communication (BCC) among community leaders, police and army personnel and Muslim and Christian groups. Safe motherhood, family planning, and the sensitisation of young people to SRH concerns are also central to the direct services which PPASL provides.    The Member Association works in partnership with government health and development ministries and the Sierra Leone Armed Forces Hospitals. Non-governmental organization (NGO) partners include the Reproductive Health Service, CHASL, MSSL, National AIDS Secretariat/SHARP and the Marie Stopes Society. PPASL receives financial support from UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Plan International, MOHS & RH UNIT, Marie Stopes Society, SL Red Cross Society and Action Aid.  Contacts Website: www.ppasl.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/454639337890032/