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Americas & the Caribbean

Articles by Americas & the Caribbean

Merundio Incorporated - Guyana

Merundoi incorporated is a non-governmental organisation (ngo) specialising in behaviour change communication through public education using the radio serial drama "merundoi".

Our vision

  • As the only Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Non Governmental Organisation (NGO ) in Guyana with a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved BCC edutainment methodology, Merundoi works towards strengthening communities, especially young adults and vulnerable populations, to take ownership of their attitudes, actions, and behaviours, and to work together for their mutual benefit.

Their mission is “modeling, fostering and reinforcing healthy choices and lifestyles through innovative public education, facilitating positive behaviour change, utilising the creative arts and mass media platform”. They facilitate attitudinal and behaviour change related to good health, environment, economic, social, and governance practices.

Llaves - Honduras

LLAVES is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Allan Dunaway and Rosa Gonzalez in response to the particular needs of people living with HIV, specifically in the defense of the human rights of this population. LLAVES has developed expertise in the area of communication and uses it as a vehicle for primary and secondary prevention of HIV and other STIs, human rights advocacy, political advocacy, promotion of values, as well as the involvement of other key actors in the response to the epidemic, and its territorial areas of work are regional, national and international. LLAVES seeks to enhance the availability and quality of access to and use of key information, products and services for development that contribute significantly to improving the lives of people living with HIV and other vulnerable groups.

The advocacy developed by LLAVES has been instrumental in achieving access to comprehensive care for people living with HIV, as well as a legal framework such as the special HIV Law and its reform. LLAVES has also been active in the development and implementation of the Five Year Plan on HIV and Human Rights: Reducing Human Rights Related Barriers to Access to HIV Services, an ambitious plan that aims to reduce legal, policy, scientific and community gaps. It comprises seven program areas, aimed at strengthening programs to protect and promote human rights, because human rights-related barriers impede the reach, use and impact of comprehensive HIV prevention and care services.

 

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Haiti Adolescent Girls Network (HAGN)

The Haiti Adolescent Girls Network (HAGN), established in the wake of the 2010 earthquake, is a local organization that fosters collective local and international partnership for the empowerment, safety, health, and well-being of girls and youth (10-24 years of age) in Haiti through the creation of safe spaces where girls can regularly meet to build their social, economic, cognitive, and health-related assets.

The Network seeks to craft a sustainable partnership with and among these organizations, laying the foundation for long-term capacity building in Haiti. The network is designed for collaborative learning and draws on the expertise of its members to create girl-centered programming rooted in local contexts.

The Haiti Adolescent Girls Network has as its goal, mission, and vision the following:

  • Goal: Out of the earthquake and cholera emergencies as experienced by girls, to foster a well-resourced public-private network of places where girls can regularly meet to build their health-related, social, economic, and cognitive assets.
  • Mission: The Haiti Adolescent Girls Network is dedicated to the empowerment, safety, health, and well-being of girls in Haiti.
  • Vision: The Haiti Adolescent Girls Network envisions a world where adolescent girls are free of violence, discrimination and ill health, a world where girls feel supported, heard and safe, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

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Gestos - Brazil

Gestos is a philanthropic organization founded in 1993 by sociologist Acioli Neto, journalist Alessandra Nilo, sociologist Márcia Andrade and social worker Silvia Dantas.

The first project developed was supported by MISEREOR and focused on psychological care for people living with AIDS, as well as the training of information multipliers in the poorest communities of the Metropolitan Region of Recife.

Since then, they have effectively contributed to guaranteeing the human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS. About 70% of the people who have sought legal support from the institution have had their rights redressed, through precautionary measures and sentences, which today are even part of the list of jurisprudence on the subject of Law and AIDS.

Throughout its history, the organization has considered communication as fundamental in the fight against AIDS and has fought to expand this understanding in Pernambuco, Brazil and Latin America. This vision has consolidated Gestos as an important reference in Communication and AIDS in the country, with special emphasis on discussions on Public Policies on Health Communication.

They also help to form new civil society organizations, such as the National Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (RNPVHA - 1995), the Positive Work Group - GTP+ (2000), the Group of Positive Actions (2003), the Group of Support to HIV Positive People (GASP) 2003, Acts of Citizenship (2006).

From 2007 to 2011, Gestos created and coordinated the UNGASS-AIDS Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health, where it oversaw the implementation of agreements signed at the UN in sixteen developing countries. The UNGASS-AIDS Forum has established itself as a space for political debate on issues related to HIV and AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

They are also a consultative NGO at the UN, with ECOSOC status since 2017.

 

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Fundacion Derechos Humanos Equidad y Genero (FunDheg) - Argentina

We are an organization that promotes and protects the rights and gender equality of all people from an intersectional perspective. We work to eradicate discrimination, violence and inequality faced by women, youth, children and LGBTIQ+ people.

With a people-centered approach, our actions aim to contribute to the reduction of inequality gaps in the access of women, youth and LGBTIQ+ population to DSYR, comprehensive health, political participation and access to justice and education.

Our areas of work are: Human Rights, gender equity, gender violence, sexual, reproductive and non-reproductive health, diversity and dissidence (LGBTIQ+), political participation of women and youth, women and dissidence living with HIV; and access to rights for women, youth and dissidence.

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Colectivo Rebeldía - Bolivia

Colectivo Rebeldía began its activities in March 1995. A group of feminist women articulated to, from our rebellions, influence and broaden the impact of the dreams of dignity and full life for women.

Their mission - from critical and purposeful rebellion, recreating feminism through sexual freedoms, knowledge, dialogues, and knowledge together with empowered women and organizations, transforming society, the economy, and politics to live well.

As they draw close to their third decade, Colectivo Rebeldía remains a powerful front for the women's and feminist movement at a local and national level in Bolivia. And a consistent institution in its fight for the exercise of women's rights and social justice.

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Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual (CENESEX) - Cuba

The National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) is a teaching, research and assistance institution in the area of sexualities.

CENESEX was founded on December 28, 1988, when the first resolution on the creation of the institution was issued. Later, other legal norms have specified its social purpose. It was created as an institution of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), but it is the result of the institutionalization process of a previous experience, that of the National Working Group on Sex Education (GNTES), which was created in 1972 at the initiative of Vilma Espín as president of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), and whose main objective was to develop and monitor the implementation of the National Sex Education Program.

Open to scientific research, exchange of experiences and dialogue of knowledge, CENESEX has professionals of recognized prestige from different scientific disciplines that address, with a comprehensive approach, the study of sexualities.

 

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Asociación Venezolana para una Educación Sexual Alternativa (AVESA) - Venezuela

Venezuelan feminist non-governmental organization, its mission is to promote and defend sexual and reproductive rights as a way to achieve an inclusive, just and equitable society. They promote articulated work with other women's, feminist and human rights organizations.

Vision

  • To be a school and a reference organization in the construction of a society that guarantees the exercise of a full, free and responsible sexuality.

Principles

  • Feminist: We analyze the structures of power and the patriarchal system, for its eradication in our organization and in society.
  • Democracy: We fully assume our role in the construction of a participatory, active and inclusive democracy, with a view towards equality, equity and social justice.
  • Care: We prioritize the well-being, safety and health of the people who are part of our team and the populations we work with.
  • Protection: We have zero tolerance for any form of abuse, violence and sexual exploitation.
  • Non-discrimination: We respect diversity and differences in terms of religion, social class, political affiliation, ethnic group, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
  • Autonomy: We reject religious, political, economic or any other kind of impositions.
  • Alternative sex education: We advocate for dialogue and the promotion of a full, free and responsible exercise of sexuality.
  • Quality: We focus our work towards excellence, through the continuous improvement of our activities, processes and proposals.

RIF:   J-3097 5538-2

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Asociacion Las Crisálidas - Guatemala

Asociacion Las Crisálidas - Guatemala's mission is to contribute and strengthen leadership, empowerment and transformation in the lives of girls, adolescents, youth and women through the implementation of programs in education, knowledge and empowerment of human rights and in action of analysis, reflection, advocacy and research that promote more equitable and egalitarian relations between women and men in Guatemala.

The organization is recognized for its contributions to human rights, education, integral health, empowerment, development of life projects of girls, adolescents, young women and diverse women in Guatemala.

Asociación Demográfica Salvadoreña/Pro-Familia

The Asociación Demográfica Salvadoreña (ADS) works to deliver high quality family planning services to people across the country, with a particular emphasis on poor, marginalized, vulnerable and under-served groups.

It particularly targets young people under the age of 25, with school and youth-centre-based workshops, and with (nationally) broadcast TV programmes reaching a substantial youth audience. Content includes advice on relationships, contraception, child-spacing, the prevention and detection of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, teenage pregnancy, and abortion. ADS is very active in training volunteers to communicate family planning information to individuals and communities.

The organization also runs a workplace project in a large number of factories in San Salvador. The project makes use of peer educators who are trained to provide information, to distribute condoms, and to refer clients (if required) for clinical attention.

ADS services points include permanent clinics, mobile facilities, about community-based distributors/services (CBDs/CBSs) and commercial marketing outlets.

ADS is the main supplier of condoms in the country and is the El Salvador's second most important source of voluntary surgical contraception.

Merundio Incorporated - Guyana

Merundoi incorporated is a non-governmental organisation (ngo) specialising in behaviour change communication through public education using the radio serial drama "merundoi".

Our vision

  • As the only Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Non Governmental Organisation (NGO ) in Guyana with a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved BCC edutainment methodology, Merundoi works towards strengthening communities, especially young adults and vulnerable populations, to take ownership of their attitudes, actions, and behaviours, and to work together for their mutual benefit.

Their mission is “modeling, fostering and reinforcing healthy choices and lifestyles through innovative public education, facilitating positive behaviour change, utilising the creative arts and mass media platform”. They facilitate attitudinal and behaviour change related to good health, environment, economic, social, and governance practices.

Llaves - Honduras

LLAVES is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Allan Dunaway and Rosa Gonzalez in response to the particular needs of people living with HIV, specifically in the defense of the human rights of this population. LLAVES has developed expertise in the area of communication and uses it as a vehicle for primary and secondary prevention of HIV and other STIs, human rights advocacy, political advocacy, promotion of values, as well as the involvement of other key actors in the response to the epidemic, and its territorial areas of work are regional, national and international. LLAVES seeks to enhance the availability and quality of access to and use of key information, products and services for development that contribute significantly to improving the lives of people living with HIV and other vulnerable groups.

The advocacy developed by LLAVES has been instrumental in achieving access to comprehensive care for people living with HIV, as well as a legal framework such as the special HIV Law and its reform. LLAVES has also been active in the development and implementation of the Five Year Plan on HIV and Human Rights: Reducing Human Rights Related Barriers to Access to HIV Services, an ambitious plan that aims to reduce legal, policy, scientific and community gaps. It comprises seven program areas, aimed at strengthening programs to protect and promote human rights, because human rights-related barriers impede the reach, use and impact of comprehensive HIV prevention and care services.

 

Instagram

Twitter

Haiti Adolescent Girls Network (HAGN)

The Haiti Adolescent Girls Network (HAGN), established in the wake of the 2010 earthquake, is a local organization that fosters collective local and international partnership for the empowerment, safety, health, and well-being of girls and youth (10-24 years of age) in Haiti through the creation of safe spaces where girls can regularly meet to build their social, economic, cognitive, and health-related assets.

The Network seeks to craft a sustainable partnership with and among these organizations, laying the foundation for long-term capacity building in Haiti. The network is designed for collaborative learning and draws on the expertise of its members to create girl-centered programming rooted in local contexts.

The Haiti Adolescent Girls Network has as its goal, mission, and vision the following:

  • Goal: Out of the earthquake and cholera emergencies as experienced by girls, to foster a well-resourced public-private network of places where girls can regularly meet to build their health-related, social, economic, and cognitive assets.
  • Mission: The Haiti Adolescent Girls Network is dedicated to the empowerment, safety, health, and well-being of girls in Haiti.
  • Vision: The Haiti Adolescent Girls Network envisions a world where adolescent girls are free of violence, discrimination and ill health, a world where girls feel supported, heard and safe, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Instagram

Twitter

Gestos - Brazil

Gestos is a philanthropic organization founded in 1993 by sociologist Acioli Neto, journalist Alessandra Nilo, sociologist Márcia Andrade and social worker Silvia Dantas.

The first project developed was supported by MISEREOR and focused on psychological care for people living with AIDS, as well as the training of information multipliers in the poorest communities of the Metropolitan Region of Recife.

Since then, they have effectively contributed to guaranteeing the human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS. About 70% of the people who have sought legal support from the institution have had their rights redressed, through precautionary measures and sentences, which today are even part of the list of jurisprudence on the subject of Law and AIDS.

Throughout its history, the organization has considered communication as fundamental in the fight against AIDS and has fought to expand this understanding in Pernambuco, Brazil and Latin America. This vision has consolidated Gestos as an important reference in Communication and AIDS in the country, with special emphasis on discussions on Public Policies on Health Communication.

They also help to form new civil society organizations, such as the National Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (RNPVHA - 1995), the Positive Work Group - GTP+ (2000), the Group of Positive Actions (2003), the Group of Support to HIV Positive People (GASP) 2003, Acts of Citizenship (2006).

From 2007 to 2011, Gestos created and coordinated the UNGASS-AIDS Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health, where it oversaw the implementation of agreements signed at the UN in sixteen developing countries. The UNGASS-AIDS Forum has established itself as a space for political debate on issues related to HIV and AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

They are also a consultative NGO at the UN, with ECOSOC status since 2017.

 

Instagram

Twitter

Fundacion Derechos Humanos Equidad y Genero (FunDheg) - Argentina

We are an organization that promotes and protects the rights and gender equality of all people from an intersectional perspective. We work to eradicate discrimination, violence and inequality faced by women, youth, children and LGBTIQ+ people.

With a people-centered approach, our actions aim to contribute to the reduction of inequality gaps in the access of women, youth and LGBTIQ+ population to DSYR, comprehensive health, political participation and access to justice and education.

Our areas of work are: Human Rights, gender equity, gender violence, sexual, reproductive and non-reproductive health, diversity and dissidence (LGBTIQ+), political participation of women and youth, women and dissidence living with HIV; and access to rights for women, youth and dissidence.

Instagram

Twitter

Colectivo Rebeldía - Bolivia

Colectivo Rebeldía began its activities in March 1995. A group of feminist women articulated to, from our rebellions, influence and broaden the impact of the dreams of dignity and full life for women.

Their mission - from critical and purposeful rebellion, recreating feminism through sexual freedoms, knowledge, dialogues, and knowledge together with empowered women and organizations, transforming society, the economy, and politics to live well.

As they draw close to their third decade, Colectivo Rebeldía remains a powerful front for the women's and feminist movement at a local and national level in Bolivia. And a consistent institution in its fight for the exercise of women's rights and social justice.

Instagram

Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual (CENESEX) - Cuba

The National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) is a teaching, research and assistance institution in the area of sexualities.

CENESEX was founded on December 28, 1988, when the first resolution on the creation of the institution was issued. Later, other legal norms have specified its social purpose. It was created as an institution of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), but it is the result of the institutionalization process of a previous experience, that of the National Working Group on Sex Education (GNTES), which was created in 1972 at the initiative of Vilma Espín as president of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), and whose main objective was to develop and monitor the implementation of the National Sex Education Program.

Open to scientific research, exchange of experiences and dialogue of knowledge, CENESEX has professionals of recognized prestige from different scientific disciplines that address, with a comprehensive approach, the study of sexualities.

 

Twitter

Instagram

Asociación Venezolana para una Educación Sexual Alternativa (AVESA) - Venezuela

Venezuelan feminist non-governmental organization, its mission is to promote and defend sexual and reproductive rights as a way to achieve an inclusive, just and equitable society. They promote articulated work with other women's, feminist and human rights organizations.

Vision

  • To be a school and a reference organization in the construction of a society that guarantees the exercise of a full, free and responsible sexuality.

Principles

  • Feminist: We analyze the structures of power and the patriarchal system, for its eradication in our organization and in society.
  • Democracy: We fully assume our role in the construction of a participatory, active and inclusive democracy, with a view towards equality, equity and social justice.
  • Care: We prioritize the well-being, safety and health of the people who are part of our team and the populations we work with.
  • Protection: We have zero tolerance for any form of abuse, violence and sexual exploitation.
  • Non-discrimination: We respect diversity and differences in terms of religion, social class, political affiliation, ethnic group, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
  • Autonomy: We reject religious, political, economic or any other kind of impositions.
  • Alternative sex education: We advocate for dialogue and the promotion of a full, free and responsible exercise of sexuality.
  • Quality: We focus our work towards excellence, through the continuous improvement of our activities, processes and proposals.

RIF:   J-3097 5538-2

Instagram

Twitter

Asociacion Las Crisálidas - Guatemala

Asociacion Las Crisálidas - Guatemala's mission is to contribute and strengthen leadership, empowerment and transformation in the lives of girls, adolescents, youth and women through the implementation of programs in education, knowledge and empowerment of human rights and in action of analysis, reflection, advocacy and research that promote more equitable and egalitarian relations between women and men in Guatemala.

The organization is recognized for its contributions to human rights, education, integral health, empowerment, development of life projects of girls, adolescents, young women and diverse women in Guatemala.

Asociación Demográfica Salvadoreña/Pro-Familia

The Asociación Demográfica Salvadoreña (ADS) works to deliver high quality family planning services to people across the country, with a particular emphasis on poor, marginalized, vulnerable and under-served groups.

It particularly targets young people under the age of 25, with school and youth-centre-based workshops, and with (nationally) broadcast TV programmes reaching a substantial youth audience. Content includes advice on relationships, contraception, child-spacing, the prevention and detection of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, teenage pregnancy, and abortion. ADS is very active in training volunteers to communicate family planning information to individuals and communities.

The organization also runs a workplace project in a large number of factories in San Salvador. The project makes use of peer educators who are trained to provide information, to distribute condoms, and to refer clients (if required) for clinical attention.

ADS services points include permanent clinics, mobile facilities, about community-based distributors/services (CBDs/CBSs) and commercial marketing outlets.

ADS is the main supplier of condoms in the country and is the El Salvador's second most important source of voluntary surgical contraception.