- - -

Gynaecological

Articles by Gynaecological

Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA)
11 December 2018

Awarding the Best Performing Clinics: Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA)

In order to enhance the quality of care and discipline among its service providers, the Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) has developed a system that strives to promote and maintain a culture of excellence in service provision. This is through the practice of rewarding its best-performing clinic. Each year, during LPPA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), the best-performing clinic is feted, with the award being presented to the Chairperson of the related branch by the LPPA President. LPPA has established that this annual practice helps in ensuring that each service provider is committed to delivering on LPPA’s mandate; that of offering quality sexual and reproductive health services to the Mosotho people and more so the vulnerable, poor, most-at-risk and hard-to-reach populations. The practice helps in ensuring that each LPPA client receives the highest standards of quality care and delivered to them in the best conditions; wherever they are. Good quality of care enhances clients’ satisfaction and their use of services -a status that LPPA endeavours to achieve for all its clients. Key elements in the judging criteria for LPPA's best-performing clinic include: Overall cleanliness of the clinic Adherence to service delivery and infection prevention guidelines Initiative in outsourcing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) information for both service providers and clients Integration of HIV and AIDS with SRH information and services Number of clinic-based health talks Information dissemination to the community through various media Adequacy and timely reporting e.g. service statistics Adequacy in reporting of finances Adherence to supplies logistic management guidelines Adequacy in reporting commodities Percentage change in the amount of income raised through clinic services Percentage change in number of new acceptors Percentage change in Couple Year of Protection (CYP) Award Recipients The clinics that have been recipients of this award include: Botha-Bothe clinic in the Northern Branch Maseru clinic The Male clinic  Healthy Competition The award system has been noted to influence positive competition and growth at the clinic level, which has helped make LPPA’s facilities the clinics of choice for many people in Lesotho. LPPA’s Program Director Ms. Makatleho Mphana says the practice has challenged clinics to be more innovative. “The awards system has spurred clinics to engage in income generation activities -which are undertaken in an accountable manner. As the MA clinics compete for the annual award, they ensure that they give their best performance all year round. It encourages them to be innovative in their service delivery approaches. The awards system assures clients, LPPA volunteers, partners and donors that our service providers are committed to providing quality services to all,” she says.  This initiative was identified as one of LPPA’s Good Practices during the 3rd Cycle of Accreditation. A Good Practice is an activity or practice that has been proven to work and yields positive results. The sharing of Good Practices by IPPF Member Associations offers learning experiences for their counterparts. Learn more about Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) here.  Also Read:  What’s in a Game? ABUBEF’s use of Playing Cards for Youth SRHR Education Mobile Clinics in Cape Verde: Taking Services Closer to the People For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

FHOK
25 May 2018

FHOK’s Social Enterprise Model, SMART Care System Lauded by IPPFAR Member Associations

Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK), which is IPPF’s Member Association in Kenya this week played host to a team of Program Directors and Directors of Finance drawn from different Member Associations (MAs) in the Africa region. The Directors are in Nairobi attending a strategic workshop aimed at enhancing their capacity for the improvement of the programmatic, financial and operational management practices of their MAs. During one of their activities, which included the visit to FHOK’s headquarters in Nairobi, the Directors received insights into the different programs that FHOK is currently implementing. With a rich experience spanning over five decades, FHOK is recognized as one of the leading service providers in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Kenya. FHOK has 16 health facilities and 9 youth centers located in different parts of the country. During the learning visit, FHOK shared its experiences in the areas of: clinical services, finance and administration, project implementation, governance, networking, building partnerships, advocacy and human resource. Some of the projects that FHOK is currently implementing include those around the integration of SRHR issues with environmental stability and climate change, mitigating the impact of the Global Gag Rule (GGR) through the social enterprise model, and innovative youth programmes that target both in-school and out-of-school youth. The Directors also toured FHOK’s Nairobi West Family Care Medical Center & Maternity. The center, started in 1999, operates on a 24-hour basis and offers a wide range of in and out-patient services. They include: counselling, family planning, STI treatment and management, HIV services, pre-nantal and post-natal care, maternity services, well baby clinics, gynaecological services, curative services and specialist clinics, among others. The medical center has a well-stocked pharmacy and a well-equipped laboratory. The visiting Directors lauded FHOK for its innovative projects and passion for serving the Kenyan population with quality health services. “Indeed, there is a lot to learn from FHOK. Their intense resource mobilization efforts, that have resulted in funding for several projects is impressive. This is something that other MAs should emulate,” said Mr. Desta Kebede, Program Director at Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE). “There is also plenty to learn from FHOK’s social enterprise model, which is fueled by the organization’s desire to shift its focus from traditional revenue streams -to that of using different entrepreneurial methods to create social impact,” he added. The Directors also commended FHOK for its electronic data management system -SMART Care. This is a system that has helped the organization effectively manage its operations such as in logistics, where it is able to use data to forecast and manage commodities. The use of SMART Care has helped the MA avoid cases of stock-outs. The paperless SMART Care system has also benefitted FHOK in the integration of finances and statistics, as well as in the management of human resources at clinic level. “SMART Care has significantly reduced the workload of our service providers when it comes to capturing of essential data in real time, and consequent generation of reports. Through SMART Care, consumer specific reports -MoH, FHOK, IPPF and donor reports are readily generated at the end of each month by our health personnel within a very short time. The system has gone a long way in ensuring quality data and enhancing compliance to reporting timelines within FHOK,” said Ms. Esther Muketo, Director, Resource Mobilization at FHOK. FHOK is also recognized as one of IPPFAR’s Learning Centers. IPPFAR’s Learning Center Initiative (LCI) is aimed at building capacity through its Member Association network by developing and sharing innovative and best practice approaches on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH). Learning Centers such as FHOK are regarded as centers of excellence, technical hubs and technical advisory facilities. They assist in the cementing and positioning IPPFAR as a leading service provider in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Story by Maryanne W. Waweru, Governance and Compliance Officer, IPPF Africa Region. For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

https://rightbyher.org/
20 March 2018

WEBSITE LAUNCH: Right By Her (SOAWC Project)

As we mark this International Day of Happiness - March 20, the State of the African Woman Campaign (SOAWC), are happy and excited to announce the launch of the brand new RightByHer website, which can be accessed here: https://rightbyher.org/ Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated 20th March as the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. This year’s theme is Share Happiness - focusing on the importance of relationships, kindness and helping each other. For women and girls in Africa to be truly happy, issues of gender equality and SRHR need to be urgently addressed, as good health is a key component for happiness. This includes ensuring more effective implementation of the Maputo Protocol and Maputo Plan of Action at the continental, sub regional and national levels.  Please subscribe to the website for more updates on the work of the campaign, including SGBV, SRHR, HIV &AIDS and Harmful Practices. Soon, we will update the website with informative findings from the RightByHer Scientific Research Report currently being finalised, and which seeks to expand the knowledge and evidence of implementation of the Maputo Protocol and Maputo Plan of Action at multiple levels in Africa.  Wishing you a productive International Day of Happiness, full of progress towards happy, healthy, safe, educated and free women and girls in Africa!

Girl from Mauritania
06 February 2018

Female Genital Mutilation is an Affront to the Gains Made in Human Rights

Despite the numerous global, regional and national protocols and legislative instruments to abolish female genital mutilation (FGM), the cruel and inhuman practice is still widely practiced by many traditional communities in Sub-Saharan Africa as a right for passage for girls. The United Nations estimates that he outmoded and life threatening customary practice  affects at least 200 million young girls and women globally; many of whom are in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the UN Women, in Somalia, Guinea and Djibouti, 98%, 97% and 93% respectively of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone FGM.   Apart from abusing the rights of women, the crude way of performing the practice, endangers the reproductive health of thousands of young girls who are forced to go through it. In many instances the extent of mutilation affects the physical well-being and the health of the victims. The psychological trauma associated with the practice, affects the self-esteem and dignity of those who are forced into it. The call by the AU to Harness the Demographic Dividend for the socio-economic development of Africa would become a mirage if the future of young girls and women are destroyed through FGM. The time has come to establish more humane and better systems to prepare young girls to graduate into womanhood. In this way, a critical mass of assertive and critical thinkers of a new generation of women would be created to contribute towards  achieving  the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR), we take the stand that FGM must be purged! It has no health benefits to women but only harm. It erodes the gains we have made in Human Rights over the years. As the leading voice of sexual reproductive health rights in sub-Saharan Africa, we speak for the voiceless girls and young women who suffer this injustice. This practice combined with the conflicts, child marriage and teenage pregnancy specifically affects girls and young women. This brings a unique yet precarious destruction of basic human rights to health. This is why we need to be the champions in protecting their right to health and their access quality health services. The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR), wishes to reiterate the need for complete and total abolishing of the practice. As the leading voice of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in Sub-Saharan Africa, we speak for the voiceless girls and young women who suffer this injustice. IPPFAR is committed towards ensuring the achievement of SDGs 3 and 5 – Universal Access to Health and Gender Equality respectively. Through our Member Associations in 42 Sub-Saharan countries, we will safeguard, defend and promote SRHR. As world celebrates the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, we call on the international community, governments, civil society organisations (CSOs) and state actors to come together to protect the rights of girls and women. With purpose of unity and dedication, the practice of FGM will be eliminated to save the lives and restore the dignity of millions of girls and women, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.   Lucien Koukou, Regional Director – IPPFAR for International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM

The Panelists: First Lady of Ethiopia and the president of OAFLA Her Excellency Roman Tesfaye, H.E. Mrs. Adjoavi Sika Kabore, First Lady of the Republic of Burkina Faso and Vice-President of OAFLA, Dr. Natalia Kanem,  Executive Director – UNFPA and Mr. Michel Sidibe, Executive Director – UNAIDS
20 October 2017

Africa First Ladies commit to advocate for women’s sexual reproductive health rights

  African First Ladies have reaffirmed their commitment to work towards the securing, realization and extension of women’s rights as enshrined in the African policies through the State of the African Woman Campaign project. The project is sponsored by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) jointly with other partners including the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Faith to Action (F2A), Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW), Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network (IPPFEN), and Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).  In a joint communique read by Her Excellency Madam Adjoavi Sika Kabore, First Lady of the Republic of Burkina Faso and the Vice-President of OAFLA during a high level event on harnessing the demographic dividend was organised on 19th September 2017 by OAFLA, with the support of IPPFAR and EU, in the margins of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly, the First Ladies called upon all OAFLA member states to advocate for regional and global partnership, building on fifteen years of OAFLA’s engagement to harness the demographic dividend of Africa through promoting the needs of adolescents and their access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services. The high-level event brought decision-makers and key stakeholders including nine African First Ladies, four First Lades from Latin America, Heads of United Nations agencies, private sector, government representatives and civil society organizations. With a special focus on youth friendly health services and ending AIDS by 2030, it also mobilized support for the demographic dividend in Africa in the framework of the African Union’s Roadmap on the demographic dividend and the Maputo Plan of Action. Mr.Tewodros Melesse, Director General – IPPF, who was among the key speakers, emphasised that First Ladies role in advocating for sexual reproductive health (SRH) is key since the First Ladies are not only women but also mothers who understand well the challenges facing girls and other women in Africa. Other speakers during the event included His Execellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Former President, Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director – UNFPA and Mr. Michel Sidibe, Executive Director – UNAIDS. The First Ladies further committed to form partnerships and advocate for commitment in terms of policy development through inclusive processes, transparency and accountability mechanisms, service delivery, as well as financial and technical resources to support the full implementation of the AU’s 2017 Roadmap and the Maputo Plan of Action. Other first Ladies In attendance were H.E. Roman Tesfaye, the First Lady of Ethiopia and the President of OAFLA, H.E. Mrs. Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou, First Lady of the Republic of Niger; H.E Mrs. Dominique Folloroux-Ouattara, First Lady of Côte D'Ivoire, H.E Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Gambia, H.E Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of Ghana, H.E Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, First Lady of Rwanda, H.E Mrs. Tobeka Madiba-Zuma, First Lady of South Africa and First Lady of Mali, H.E Madam Madam Aminata Maiga Keïta.  

IPPF European Network
09 February 2017

IPPF European Network Regional Director visits Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK)

The IPPF European Network Regional Director Ms. Caroline Hickson has today paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Director of Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK), Mr. Edward Marienga. FHOK is IPPF’s Member Association in Kenya. Ms. Hickson is on a working visit to the IPPF Africa Regional Office located in Nairobi, Kenya. During the meeting, Mr. Marienga oriented Ms. Hickson on FHOK’s work in the country, whose core focus is the provision of quality sexual reproductive health and services to millions of men, women and young people. FHOK, a local Non-Governmental Organization has been a leading service provider of sexual and reproductive health services in the country for over five decades. With a strong grassroots network, FHOK is present in 14 Counties (out of 47), through its Family Care Medical Centers. Through innovative delivery programming and capacity building, FHOK particularly focuses on young people, marginalized groups, underserved and inaccessible populations in the country. FHOK has a pricing policy that offers affordable, quality and easily accessible services to all. The meeting between Ms. Hickson and Mr. Marienga also acted as an experience-sharing forum between the two parties, where both discussed best SRHR implementation practices. FHOK also showcased its successful business models including its Learning Center and other income-generation ventures, which have greatly contributed to the success and sustainability of the organization over the years. “Our work has also been greatly enhanced by the strong partnerships that we have formed with different stakeholders, chief among them the Government of Kenya. We recognize the invaluable support of the Government in the achievement of our goals, and regularly consult with them on various issues. We also collaborate with them in programme activities, such as cervical cancer screening, testing and treatment, as well as various HIV/AIDS activities –including at the grassroots level. FHOK works with other non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, youth networks and other groups towards the realization of it's goals,” Mr. Marienga added. Other issues that were discussed included effective advocacy strategies in the push for supportive SRHR policies and legislations at local, national and regional levels.   Ms. Hickson commended FHOK for its work, saying that there was plenty to learn from the organization, and which can also be emulated by other Member Associations –including those in Europe. IPPF EN includes 39 Member Associations and collaborating partners in as many countries throughout Europe and Central Asia. The Region reaches from Iceland to Kyrgyzstan and from Russia to Israel, from some of the richest countries in the world to some of the poorest, from donor countries to recipient countries, from long-standing democracies to countries still struggling to find their way.  Learn more about IPPFEN here. Learn more about FHOK here.

Lucien_Kouakou_and_Genet_Mengistu_of_FGAE
30 January 2017

IPPF Africa Regional Director Visits Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE)

By Maryanne W. Waweru Monday 30 January 2017, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia The IPPF Africa Region Director Mr. Lucien Kouakou today paid a visit to the IPPF Member Association in Ethiopia –Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE). During his visit, Mr. Kouakou met with FGAE members of staff including the Executive Director Ms. Genet Mengistu, whom he congratulated for their remarkable work in providing quality sexual reproductive health services to millions of Ethiopians. Mr. Kouakou, who is in the capital city of Addis Ababa attending activities around the 28th AU Summit, encouraged the members of staff to carry on with their commendable work. “We are proud of FGAE. Just last year, the organization celebrated 50 years of exemplary service and success in Ethiopia. FGAE is recognized as the pioneer organization for the introduction of family planning in the country, and five decades later, it is one of the leading providers of comprehensive, integrated, quality and gender-sensitive sexual reproductive health programs and services focusing on youth, underserved and vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. In addition, the success of FGAE’s Learning Center, which works closely with the Government and other partners in building the capacity of healthcare providers in Ethiopia through provision of needs-based quality sexual reproductive health training, is admirable. Indeed, the laudable success of FGAE is to be emulated not only in Ethiopia, but across Africa,” he said. Mr. Kouakou also assured FGAE of IPPF’s continued technical, financial and material support in regards to achievements of the organization’s goals. He further encouraged the Member Association to strive to establish and maintain formidable partnerships with other development stakeholders in the country, among them the Government, international, regional and national organizations, as well as local grassroots entities. “If we are to achieve our goals for sustainable development, then we must embrace the partnership of other organizations that share in our vision and the vision of ‘the Africa we Want’. When organizations work together, then they are able to accelerate development goals of the country and the continent, he said. The Regional Director further encouraged the Member Association to step up its efforts in resource mobilization, especially from domestic sources. “The African continent must steer its own development. We have to drive our own development agenda by investing our resources into innovative development-driven initiatives. Funding our own programmes will help avert some of the challenges that many development institutions face today –such as dwindling international donor funds or complete cut-back of funds. It is time for Africa to support Africa’s development through ventures such as domestic funding,” he said. In July last year, IPPF Africa Region launched the African Citizens Initiative (ACI) for sexual and reproductive health, which is a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that aligns with the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063 commitment to the principle of self-reliance as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The FGAE Executive Director, Ms. Genet Mengistu reiterated FGAE’s commitment to serving millions of Ethiopian men, women, youth and children through its unmatched services. She further reiterated the Regional Director’s call for the establishment of strategic partnerships with other development players towards the achievement of the organization’s goals. “We will endeavor to seek more partnerships at all levels, as this will help boost the delivery of our wide range of services. While in Addis Ababa, among key meetings that the Regional Director has participated in is the Forum of African Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FPA) side event, in which he called for more investment in family planning, girls and young people in the realization of harnessing the demographic dividend. He also called on African Parliamentarians to deliver on their commitments to the Dakar Declaration, in their capacity as key influencers. “Parliamentarians have the ability to influence their colleagues to push for the support and implementation of policies and legislations, especially those related to youth, health, population and development. They can call for more budgetary allocation to related Ministries such as those of Youth, Gender and Social Affairs, Health, Education Planning and Development, as well as other institutions that focus on the youth and their reproductive health. They can also take the lead in seeking innovative ways of mobilizing resources at the local level that would champion population and related issues. Seeking African solutions to African problems through domestic funding is one way to realizing Africa’s development, and we count on our Parliamentarians to champion this cause,” he said. Read the full article here: African Parliamentarians are Key to the Realization of the Demographic Dividend Story by Maryanne W. Waweru. For more updates on our work, follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Dakar_Declaration_on_Demographic_Dividend
30 January 2017

The Dakar Declaration on “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth”.

The International Conference of Parliamentary Networks on Population and Development was held in Dakar, Senegal in November 2016, with one of the outcomes being the commitment by African Parliamentarians to support the implementation of the four pillars of the African Union road map; “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth”. The road map factors in the need to transform the potential of Africa’s large youth population into a demographic dividend, and focuses on four pillars that are critical to increasing investments in youth, driving change and positioning African countries on the path towards harnessing the demographic dividend. See attachment for the committments of the Dakar Declaration.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) brief by IPPF Africa Region
29 January 2017

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) brief by IPPF Africa Region

ENGLISH This Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) brief by IPPF Africa Region aims at providing a friendly overview of the SDGs as they relate to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and their significance in the context of socio-economic development of sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, this brief focuses on SRHR-related goals and targets, means of implementation (MoI), financing for development, monitoring & evaluation as well as accountability mechanisms. The brief attempts to identify the most obvious gaps and challenges and makes recommendations for IPPFAR Member Associations (MAs) and partners to ensure implementation of the SDGs, and improvement of SRHR at the national level. FRENCH Suite aux efforts et a l’engagement de l’IPPFAR de contribuer à la mise en œuvre des ODD, et d’être redevable, veuillez trouver ci-joint un briefing de l’IPPFAR sur les ODD. Cet expose vise à donner un aperçu facile des ODD lies a la Sante et aux Droits Sexuels et de la Reproduction (SDSR) et leur signification dans le contexte du développement socio-économique de l’Afrique subsaharienne. Ce bre f aperçu est ainsi centré sur les objectifs et les cibles liés à la SDSR, lesmoyens de mise en oeuvre (MdMO), le financement du développement (FdD), le suivi -évaluation (S-E) ainsi qu’aux mécanismes de redevabilité. En outre, ce document tente d’identifier les lacunes et des problèmes les plus évidents dans la formulation du programme de développement durable 2030 et formule des recommandations pour les Associations Membres (AM) et les partenaires de l’IPPFRA pour contribuer a la mise en œuvre des ODD et a améliorer la SDSR au niveau national.

IPPFAR
05 October 2016

"My friend died from an unsafe abortion. I knew I had to do something."

Coulibaly N'tchin Ephrasie is a 25 year-old student from the West African country of Ivory Coast. Ephrasie is deeply passionate about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and is an active member of IPPFAR’s Youth Action Movement (YAM). She comes from Bandama Valley District of Bouaké in the central part of Ivory Coast, and is undertaking a degree course in Geology and Science in Humanitarian and International Business Management. In 2016, Ephrasie undertook a youth internship at the IPPF Africa Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of the 2016 youth internship program was to promote adolescents and young people as key agents for social change through leadership and innovative approaches for increased access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). Here is some brief information on this emerging young leader. Tell us more about yourself and how you joined IPPFAR’s Youth Action Movement (YAM) I began advocating for the rights of teenagers when I was a member of the Children’s Parliament in my country. I worked as Regional President for the Bandama Valley and member of the national team that drafted the “White Paper” in 2008 for the institutionalization of children's parliament. My first contact with the IPPFAR Member Association in my country -Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien-Etre Familial (Ivorian Association for Family Welfare-AIBEF) was in 2006 through a contest at my high school called “Fidel and Abstinia”. Fidel and Abstinia is an initiative designed to educate students about teenage pregnancies, and responsible behaviour. In 2008, I became chairperson of the school health club in Bouaké. I was then contacted by the Bouaké regional antenna that was implementing the SHIFT project, and went on to hold the positions of Regional President twice, the position of National Vice-President and then national president. Where does your passion for youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) come from? My passion for the SRHR of adolescents and young people was heightened by an unfortunate event in 2012. I had a close friend who sadly died from complications of an unsafe abortion. This, coupled with the various reproductive health challenges that women face, inspired me to take action with hope of creating change in my community and wider society.   I continue to participate in various SRHR advocacy programs, the latest project being one that advocates for the empowerment of girls and rural women. What sparked your interest in the IPPF Africa Region internship program? I got interested in it because as a student, it offered me the opportunity and privilege to work in an international organization and learn about the different workings of such an institution. This is a great chance for me and any other young person –one that truly cannot be missed! My expectations of the program are that it will enhance my project writing and management skills, and that I will be able to mobilize the necessary resources for successful project implementation, and that I will be able to develop projects that will effect change in my community. Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years I see myself leading a mining business in Africa and at the same time an influential figure in Africa regarding advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Story by Maryanne W. Waweru, IPPF Africa Region. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook and Twitter

Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA)
11 December 2018

Awarding the Best Performing Clinics: Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA)

In order to enhance the quality of care and discipline among its service providers, the Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) has developed a system that strives to promote and maintain a culture of excellence in service provision. This is through the practice of rewarding its best-performing clinic. Each year, during LPPA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), the best-performing clinic is feted, with the award being presented to the Chairperson of the related branch by the LPPA President. LPPA has established that this annual practice helps in ensuring that each service provider is committed to delivering on LPPA’s mandate; that of offering quality sexual and reproductive health services to the Mosotho people and more so the vulnerable, poor, most-at-risk and hard-to-reach populations. The practice helps in ensuring that each LPPA client receives the highest standards of quality care and delivered to them in the best conditions; wherever they are. Good quality of care enhances clients’ satisfaction and their use of services -a status that LPPA endeavours to achieve for all its clients. Key elements in the judging criteria for LPPA's best-performing clinic include: Overall cleanliness of the clinic Adherence to service delivery and infection prevention guidelines Initiative in outsourcing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) information for both service providers and clients Integration of HIV and AIDS with SRH information and services Number of clinic-based health talks Information dissemination to the community through various media Adequacy and timely reporting e.g. service statistics Adequacy in reporting of finances Adherence to supplies logistic management guidelines Adequacy in reporting commodities Percentage change in the amount of income raised through clinic services Percentage change in number of new acceptors Percentage change in Couple Year of Protection (CYP) Award Recipients The clinics that have been recipients of this award include: Botha-Bothe clinic in the Northern Branch Maseru clinic The Male clinic  Healthy Competition The award system has been noted to influence positive competition and growth at the clinic level, which has helped make LPPA’s facilities the clinics of choice for many people in Lesotho. LPPA’s Program Director Ms. Makatleho Mphana says the practice has challenged clinics to be more innovative. “The awards system has spurred clinics to engage in income generation activities -which are undertaken in an accountable manner. As the MA clinics compete for the annual award, they ensure that they give their best performance all year round. It encourages them to be innovative in their service delivery approaches. The awards system assures clients, LPPA volunteers, partners and donors that our service providers are committed to providing quality services to all,” she says.  This initiative was identified as one of LPPA’s Good Practices during the 3rd Cycle of Accreditation. A Good Practice is an activity or practice that has been proven to work and yields positive results. The sharing of Good Practices by IPPF Member Associations offers learning experiences for their counterparts. Learn more about Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) here.  Also Read:  What’s in a Game? ABUBEF’s use of Playing Cards for Youth SRHR Education Mobile Clinics in Cape Verde: Taking Services Closer to the People For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

FHOK
25 May 2018

FHOK’s Social Enterprise Model, SMART Care System Lauded by IPPFAR Member Associations

Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK), which is IPPF’s Member Association in Kenya this week played host to a team of Program Directors and Directors of Finance drawn from different Member Associations (MAs) in the Africa region. The Directors are in Nairobi attending a strategic workshop aimed at enhancing their capacity for the improvement of the programmatic, financial and operational management practices of their MAs. During one of their activities, which included the visit to FHOK’s headquarters in Nairobi, the Directors received insights into the different programs that FHOK is currently implementing. With a rich experience spanning over five decades, FHOK is recognized as one of the leading service providers in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Kenya. FHOK has 16 health facilities and 9 youth centers located in different parts of the country. During the learning visit, FHOK shared its experiences in the areas of: clinical services, finance and administration, project implementation, governance, networking, building partnerships, advocacy and human resource. Some of the projects that FHOK is currently implementing include those around the integration of SRHR issues with environmental stability and climate change, mitigating the impact of the Global Gag Rule (GGR) through the social enterprise model, and innovative youth programmes that target both in-school and out-of-school youth. The Directors also toured FHOK’s Nairobi West Family Care Medical Center & Maternity. The center, started in 1999, operates on a 24-hour basis and offers a wide range of in and out-patient services. They include: counselling, family planning, STI treatment and management, HIV services, pre-nantal and post-natal care, maternity services, well baby clinics, gynaecological services, curative services and specialist clinics, among others. The medical center has a well-stocked pharmacy and a well-equipped laboratory. The visiting Directors lauded FHOK for its innovative projects and passion for serving the Kenyan population with quality health services. “Indeed, there is a lot to learn from FHOK. Their intense resource mobilization efforts, that have resulted in funding for several projects is impressive. This is something that other MAs should emulate,” said Mr. Desta Kebede, Program Director at Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE). “There is also plenty to learn from FHOK’s social enterprise model, which is fueled by the organization’s desire to shift its focus from traditional revenue streams -to that of using different entrepreneurial methods to create social impact,” he added. The Directors also commended FHOK for its electronic data management system -SMART Care. This is a system that has helped the organization effectively manage its operations such as in logistics, where it is able to use data to forecast and manage commodities. The use of SMART Care has helped the MA avoid cases of stock-outs. The paperless SMART Care system has also benefitted FHOK in the integration of finances and statistics, as well as in the management of human resources at clinic level. “SMART Care has significantly reduced the workload of our service providers when it comes to capturing of essential data in real time, and consequent generation of reports. Through SMART Care, consumer specific reports -MoH, FHOK, IPPF and donor reports are readily generated at the end of each month by our health personnel within a very short time. The system has gone a long way in ensuring quality data and enhancing compliance to reporting timelines within FHOK,” said Ms. Esther Muketo, Director, Resource Mobilization at FHOK. FHOK is also recognized as one of IPPFAR’s Learning Centers. IPPFAR’s Learning Center Initiative (LCI) is aimed at building capacity through its Member Association network by developing and sharing innovative and best practice approaches on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH). Learning Centers such as FHOK are regarded as centers of excellence, technical hubs and technical advisory facilities. They assist in the cementing and positioning IPPFAR as a leading service provider in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Story by Maryanne W. Waweru, Governance and Compliance Officer, IPPF Africa Region. For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

https://rightbyher.org/
20 March 2018

WEBSITE LAUNCH: Right By Her (SOAWC Project)

As we mark this International Day of Happiness - March 20, the State of the African Woman Campaign (SOAWC), are happy and excited to announce the launch of the brand new RightByHer website, which can be accessed here: https://rightbyher.org/ Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated 20th March as the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. This year’s theme is Share Happiness - focusing on the importance of relationships, kindness and helping each other. For women and girls in Africa to be truly happy, issues of gender equality and SRHR need to be urgently addressed, as good health is a key component for happiness. This includes ensuring more effective implementation of the Maputo Protocol and Maputo Plan of Action at the continental, sub regional and national levels.  Please subscribe to the website for more updates on the work of the campaign, including SGBV, SRHR, HIV &AIDS and Harmful Practices. Soon, we will update the website with informative findings from the RightByHer Scientific Research Report currently being finalised, and which seeks to expand the knowledge and evidence of implementation of the Maputo Protocol and Maputo Plan of Action at multiple levels in Africa.  Wishing you a productive International Day of Happiness, full of progress towards happy, healthy, safe, educated and free women and girls in Africa!

Girl from Mauritania
06 February 2018

Female Genital Mutilation is an Affront to the Gains Made in Human Rights

Despite the numerous global, regional and national protocols and legislative instruments to abolish female genital mutilation (FGM), the cruel and inhuman practice is still widely practiced by many traditional communities in Sub-Saharan Africa as a right for passage for girls. The United Nations estimates that he outmoded and life threatening customary practice  affects at least 200 million young girls and women globally; many of whom are in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the UN Women, in Somalia, Guinea and Djibouti, 98%, 97% and 93% respectively of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone FGM.   Apart from abusing the rights of women, the crude way of performing the practice, endangers the reproductive health of thousands of young girls who are forced to go through it. In many instances the extent of mutilation affects the physical well-being and the health of the victims. The psychological trauma associated with the practice, affects the self-esteem and dignity of those who are forced into it. The call by the AU to Harness the Demographic Dividend for the socio-economic development of Africa would become a mirage if the future of young girls and women are destroyed through FGM. The time has come to establish more humane and better systems to prepare young girls to graduate into womanhood. In this way, a critical mass of assertive and critical thinkers of a new generation of women would be created to contribute towards  achieving  the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR), we take the stand that FGM must be purged! It has no health benefits to women but only harm. It erodes the gains we have made in Human Rights over the years. As the leading voice of sexual reproductive health rights in sub-Saharan Africa, we speak for the voiceless girls and young women who suffer this injustice. This practice combined with the conflicts, child marriage and teenage pregnancy specifically affects girls and young women. This brings a unique yet precarious destruction of basic human rights to health. This is why we need to be the champions in protecting their right to health and their access quality health services. The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR), wishes to reiterate the need for complete and total abolishing of the practice. As the leading voice of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in Sub-Saharan Africa, we speak for the voiceless girls and young women who suffer this injustice. IPPFAR is committed towards ensuring the achievement of SDGs 3 and 5 – Universal Access to Health and Gender Equality respectively. Through our Member Associations in 42 Sub-Saharan countries, we will safeguard, defend and promote SRHR. As world celebrates the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, we call on the international community, governments, civil society organisations (CSOs) and state actors to come together to protect the rights of girls and women. With purpose of unity and dedication, the practice of FGM will be eliminated to save the lives and restore the dignity of millions of girls and women, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.   Lucien Koukou, Regional Director – IPPFAR for International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM

The Panelists: First Lady of Ethiopia and the president of OAFLA Her Excellency Roman Tesfaye, H.E. Mrs. Adjoavi Sika Kabore, First Lady of the Republic of Burkina Faso and Vice-President of OAFLA, Dr. Natalia Kanem,  Executive Director – UNFPA and Mr. Michel Sidibe, Executive Director – UNAIDS
20 October 2017

Africa First Ladies commit to advocate for women’s sexual reproductive health rights

  African First Ladies have reaffirmed their commitment to work towards the securing, realization and extension of women’s rights as enshrined in the African policies through the State of the African Woman Campaign project. The project is sponsored by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) jointly with other partners including the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Faith to Action (F2A), Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW), Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network (IPPFEN), and Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).  In a joint communique read by Her Excellency Madam Adjoavi Sika Kabore, First Lady of the Republic of Burkina Faso and the Vice-President of OAFLA during a high level event on harnessing the demographic dividend was organised on 19th September 2017 by OAFLA, with the support of IPPFAR and EU, in the margins of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly, the First Ladies called upon all OAFLA member states to advocate for regional and global partnership, building on fifteen years of OAFLA’s engagement to harness the demographic dividend of Africa through promoting the needs of adolescents and their access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services. The high-level event brought decision-makers and key stakeholders including nine African First Ladies, four First Lades from Latin America, Heads of United Nations agencies, private sector, government representatives and civil society organizations. With a special focus on youth friendly health services and ending AIDS by 2030, it also mobilized support for the demographic dividend in Africa in the framework of the African Union’s Roadmap on the demographic dividend and the Maputo Plan of Action. Mr.Tewodros Melesse, Director General – IPPF, who was among the key speakers, emphasised that First Ladies role in advocating for sexual reproductive health (SRH) is key since the First Ladies are not only women but also mothers who understand well the challenges facing girls and other women in Africa. Other speakers during the event included His Execellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Former President, Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director – UNFPA and Mr. Michel Sidibe, Executive Director – UNAIDS. The First Ladies further committed to form partnerships and advocate for commitment in terms of policy development through inclusive processes, transparency and accountability mechanisms, service delivery, as well as financial and technical resources to support the full implementation of the AU’s 2017 Roadmap and the Maputo Plan of Action. Other first Ladies In attendance were H.E. Roman Tesfaye, the First Lady of Ethiopia and the President of OAFLA, H.E. Mrs. Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou, First Lady of the Republic of Niger; H.E Mrs. Dominique Folloroux-Ouattara, First Lady of Côte D'Ivoire, H.E Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Gambia, H.E Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of Ghana, H.E Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, First Lady of Rwanda, H.E Mrs. Tobeka Madiba-Zuma, First Lady of South Africa and First Lady of Mali, H.E Madam Madam Aminata Maiga Keïta.  

IPPF European Network
09 February 2017

IPPF European Network Regional Director visits Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK)

The IPPF European Network Regional Director Ms. Caroline Hickson has today paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Director of Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK), Mr. Edward Marienga. FHOK is IPPF’s Member Association in Kenya. Ms. Hickson is on a working visit to the IPPF Africa Regional Office located in Nairobi, Kenya. During the meeting, Mr. Marienga oriented Ms. Hickson on FHOK’s work in the country, whose core focus is the provision of quality sexual reproductive health and services to millions of men, women and young people. FHOK, a local Non-Governmental Organization has been a leading service provider of sexual and reproductive health services in the country for over five decades. With a strong grassroots network, FHOK is present in 14 Counties (out of 47), through its Family Care Medical Centers. Through innovative delivery programming and capacity building, FHOK particularly focuses on young people, marginalized groups, underserved and inaccessible populations in the country. FHOK has a pricing policy that offers affordable, quality and easily accessible services to all. The meeting between Ms. Hickson and Mr. Marienga also acted as an experience-sharing forum between the two parties, where both discussed best SRHR implementation practices. FHOK also showcased its successful business models including its Learning Center and other income-generation ventures, which have greatly contributed to the success and sustainability of the organization over the years. “Our work has also been greatly enhanced by the strong partnerships that we have formed with different stakeholders, chief among them the Government of Kenya. We recognize the invaluable support of the Government in the achievement of our goals, and regularly consult with them on various issues. We also collaborate with them in programme activities, such as cervical cancer screening, testing and treatment, as well as various HIV/AIDS activities –including at the grassroots level. FHOK works with other non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, youth networks and other groups towards the realization of it's goals,” Mr. Marienga added. Other issues that were discussed included effective advocacy strategies in the push for supportive SRHR policies and legislations at local, national and regional levels.   Ms. Hickson commended FHOK for its work, saying that there was plenty to learn from the organization, and which can also be emulated by other Member Associations –including those in Europe. IPPF EN includes 39 Member Associations and collaborating partners in as many countries throughout Europe and Central Asia. The Region reaches from Iceland to Kyrgyzstan and from Russia to Israel, from some of the richest countries in the world to some of the poorest, from donor countries to recipient countries, from long-standing democracies to countries still struggling to find their way.  Learn more about IPPFEN here. Learn more about FHOK here.

Lucien_Kouakou_and_Genet_Mengistu_of_FGAE
30 January 2017

IPPF Africa Regional Director Visits Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE)

By Maryanne W. Waweru Monday 30 January 2017, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia The IPPF Africa Region Director Mr. Lucien Kouakou today paid a visit to the IPPF Member Association in Ethiopia –Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE). During his visit, Mr. Kouakou met with FGAE members of staff including the Executive Director Ms. Genet Mengistu, whom he congratulated for their remarkable work in providing quality sexual reproductive health services to millions of Ethiopians. Mr. Kouakou, who is in the capital city of Addis Ababa attending activities around the 28th AU Summit, encouraged the members of staff to carry on with their commendable work. “We are proud of FGAE. Just last year, the organization celebrated 50 years of exemplary service and success in Ethiopia. FGAE is recognized as the pioneer organization for the introduction of family planning in the country, and five decades later, it is one of the leading providers of comprehensive, integrated, quality and gender-sensitive sexual reproductive health programs and services focusing on youth, underserved and vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. In addition, the success of FGAE’s Learning Center, which works closely with the Government and other partners in building the capacity of healthcare providers in Ethiopia through provision of needs-based quality sexual reproductive health training, is admirable. Indeed, the laudable success of FGAE is to be emulated not only in Ethiopia, but across Africa,” he said. Mr. Kouakou also assured FGAE of IPPF’s continued technical, financial and material support in regards to achievements of the organization’s goals. He further encouraged the Member Association to strive to establish and maintain formidable partnerships with other development stakeholders in the country, among them the Government, international, regional and national organizations, as well as local grassroots entities. “If we are to achieve our goals for sustainable development, then we must embrace the partnership of other organizations that share in our vision and the vision of ‘the Africa we Want’. When organizations work together, then they are able to accelerate development goals of the country and the continent, he said. The Regional Director further encouraged the Member Association to step up its efforts in resource mobilization, especially from domestic sources. “The African continent must steer its own development. We have to drive our own development agenda by investing our resources into innovative development-driven initiatives. Funding our own programmes will help avert some of the challenges that many development institutions face today –such as dwindling international donor funds or complete cut-back of funds. It is time for Africa to support Africa’s development through ventures such as domestic funding,” he said. In July last year, IPPF Africa Region launched the African Citizens Initiative (ACI) for sexual and reproductive health, which is a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that aligns with the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063 commitment to the principle of self-reliance as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The FGAE Executive Director, Ms. Genet Mengistu reiterated FGAE’s commitment to serving millions of Ethiopian men, women, youth and children through its unmatched services. She further reiterated the Regional Director’s call for the establishment of strategic partnerships with other development players towards the achievement of the organization’s goals. “We will endeavor to seek more partnerships at all levels, as this will help boost the delivery of our wide range of services. While in Addis Ababa, among key meetings that the Regional Director has participated in is the Forum of African Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FPA) side event, in which he called for more investment in family planning, girls and young people in the realization of harnessing the demographic dividend. He also called on African Parliamentarians to deliver on their commitments to the Dakar Declaration, in their capacity as key influencers. “Parliamentarians have the ability to influence their colleagues to push for the support and implementation of policies and legislations, especially those related to youth, health, population and development. They can call for more budgetary allocation to related Ministries such as those of Youth, Gender and Social Affairs, Health, Education Planning and Development, as well as other institutions that focus on the youth and their reproductive health. They can also take the lead in seeking innovative ways of mobilizing resources at the local level that would champion population and related issues. Seeking African solutions to African problems through domestic funding is one way to realizing Africa’s development, and we count on our Parliamentarians to champion this cause,” he said. Read the full article here: African Parliamentarians are Key to the Realization of the Demographic Dividend Story by Maryanne W. Waweru. For more updates on our work, follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Dakar_Declaration_on_Demographic_Dividend
30 January 2017

The Dakar Declaration on “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth”.

The International Conference of Parliamentary Networks on Population and Development was held in Dakar, Senegal in November 2016, with one of the outcomes being the commitment by African Parliamentarians to support the implementation of the four pillars of the African Union road map; “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth”. The road map factors in the need to transform the potential of Africa’s large youth population into a demographic dividend, and focuses on four pillars that are critical to increasing investments in youth, driving change and positioning African countries on the path towards harnessing the demographic dividend. See attachment for the committments of the Dakar Declaration.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) brief by IPPF Africa Region
29 January 2017

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) brief by IPPF Africa Region

ENGLISH This Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) brief by IPPF Africa Region aims at providing a friendly overview of the SDGs as they relate to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and their significance in the context of socio-economic development of sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, this brief focuses on SRHR-related goals and targets, means of implementation (MoI), financing for development, monitoring & evaluation as well as accountability mechanisms. The brief attempts to identify the most obvious gaps and challenges and makes recommendations for IPPFAR Member Associations (MAs) and partners to ensure implementation of the SDGs, and improvement of SRHR at the national level. FRENCH Suite aux efforts et a l’engagement de l’IPPFAR de contribuer à la mise en œuvre des ODD, et d’être redevable, veuillez trouver ci-joint un briefing de l’IPPFAR sur les ODD. Cet expose vise à donner un aperçu facile des ODD lies a la Sante et aux Droits Sexuels et de la Reproduction (SDSR) et leur signification dans le contexte du développement socio-économique de l’Afrique subsaharienne. Ce bre f aperçu est ainsi centré sur les objectifs et les cibles liés à la SDSR, lesmoyens de mise en oeuvre (MdMO), le financement du développement (FdD), le suivi -évaluation (S-E) ainsi qu’aux mécanismes de redevabilité. En outre, ce document tente d’identifier les lacunes et des problèmes les plus évidents dans la formulation du programme de développement durable 2030 et formule des recommandations pour les Associations Membres (AM) et les partenaires de l’IPPFRA pour contribuer a la mise en œuvre des ODD et a améliorer la SDSR au niveau national.

IPPFAR
05 October 2016

"My friend died from an unsafe abortion. I knew I had to do something."

Coulibaly N'tchin Ephrasie is a 25 year-old student from the West African country of Ivory Coast. Ephrasie is deeply passionate about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and is an active member of IPPFAR’s Youth Action Movement (YAM). She comes from Bandama Valley District of Bouaké in the central part of Ivory Coast, and is undertaking a degree course in Geology and Science in Humanitarian and International Business Management. In 2016, Ephrasie undertook a youth internship at the IPPF Africa Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of the 2016 youth internship program was to promote adolescents and young people as key agents for social change through leadership and innovative approaches for increased access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). Here is some brief information on this emerging young leader. Tell us more about yourself and how you joined IPPFAR’s Youth Action Movement (YAM) I began advocating for the rights of teenagers when I was a member of the Children’s Parliament in my country. I worked as Regional President for the Bandama Valley and member of the national team that drafted the “White Paper” in 2008 for the institutionalization of children's parliament. My first contact with the IPPFAR Member Association in my country -Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien-Etre Familial (Ivorian Association for Family Welfare-AIBEF) was in 2006 through a contest at my high school called “Fidel and Abstinia”. Fidel and Abstinia is an initiative designed to educate students about teenage pregnancies, and responsible behaviour. In 2008, I became chairperson of the school health club in Bouaké. I was then contacted by the Bouaké regional antenna that was implementing the SHIFT project, and went on to hold the positions of Regional President twice, the position of National Vice-President and then national president. Where does your passion for youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) come from? My passion for the SRHR of adolescents and young people was heightened by an unfortunate event in 2012. I had a close friend who sadly died from complications of an unsafe abortion. This, coupled with the various reproductive health challenges that women face, inspired me to take action with hope of creating change in my community and wider society.   I continue to participate in various SRHR advocacy programs, the latest project being one that advocates for the empowerment of girls and rural women. What sparked your interest in the IPPF Africa Region internship program? I got interested in it because as a student, it offered me the opportunity and privilege to work in an international organization and learn about the different workings of such an institution. This is a great chance for me and any other young person –one that truly cannot be missed! My expectations of the program are that it will enhance my project writing and management skills, and that I will be able to mobilize the necessary resources for successful project implementation, and that I will be able to develop projects that will effect change in my community. Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years I see myself leading a mining business in Africa and at the same time an influential figure in Africa regarding advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Story by Maryanne W. Waweru, IPPF Africa Region. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook and Twitter