Member Associations

The 8th of March Institute is a nonprofit organisation focused on highlighting injustices, inequalities and the importance of human rights as well as formulating and acting on concrete demands. The 8th of March Institute was founded in 2016, at first, their aim was simple: to continue raising awareness of the importance of equality. However, they soon began focusing on numerous other aspects concerning the themes of gender and inequality.

AIDOS began its journey in 1981 as a women’s association and non-governmental organisation. Since its establishment, AIDOS has worked in Low-Income Countries, Europe and Italy to build, promote and defend the rights, dignity and freedom of choice of women and girls. AIDOS works in partnership with local organisations and institutions to provide tools to women and their organisations, particularly in those areas where the experience of the Italian feminist movement has yielded significant results. These areas are: women’s rights sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) economic empowerment of women; education of girls. AIDOS’ approach is based on a continuous and equal dialogue with women’s and non-governmental organisations worldwide and with associations and people engaged with human rights, women’s and LGBTQI rights. AIDOS was recognised in 1992 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as eligible to manage public funds for implementing international development projects. And has a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) and is implementing partner of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Italy. Check out their Instagram.

ACPD is a non-for-profit organization, established in January 1993 that works for improvement of policies, legislation, the right of information and services for issues concerning population and development, including reproductive health. There are four strategic directions of ACPD work:   Advocacy on further improvement of SRHR policies, gender equality including women and youth participation in decision making processes at central and local level. Empowerment of women and youth on their SRHR rights through awareness and education, by promoting gender equality and broad society support Qualitative and accessible integrated services, which are gender sensitive and address women and young people needs ACPD maintains the leadership in promoting the broad partnership and cooperation on issues of SRHR through sustainable programmes and increase number of volunteers and supporters. ACPD is led by a board of recognized experts in the field of SRHR, social issues, gender, migration etc. It has a permanent staff around 15 people, who are qualified specialists. The organization has three multi-functional centres located in (Centre of Albania) Tirana, (South) Vlora and (North) Shkodra with 206 active members and activists. The SRH services include contraceptive care, cervical cancer prevention, HIV rapid test and counselling, pre and post abortion care, pre- and post-natal care, ultrasound examination and counselling, gender based violence counselling, sexual transmitted infections counselling, and relationships counselling and referrals. The organization has delivered a very extensive rights-based and gender-sensitive comprehensive sexuality education for children/young people in formal and informal setting. Approximately 1000 teachers and 1500 pupils are trained on CSE all over the country. ACPD and other NGOs have played an important role in advocating for sexuality education. The ACPD also provides a gateway for dialogue, networking and cooperation among stakeholders and partners on regional, national and local levels.

Associação para o Planeamento da Família – APF (Association for Family Planning) is an NGO, established in 1967 with health purposes, whose mission is to help people to make free and responsible sexual and reproductive choices and to promote positive parenting. APF develops activities around Portugal national territory through its six regional delegations. The Member Association teams engage more than 100 professionals and voluntaries from several domains of social intervention: health, education, community and youth intervention. APF’s history has been always linked to the fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Since its establishment, APF has played a leading role in matters concerning Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE), Safe Abortion, Prevention and Combat of Trafficking in Human Beings (THB), Early and Forced Marriages and Female Genital Mutilation. APF services target vulnerable people such as sex workers, drug users, migrants and ethnic minorities but also young people, families and professionals of several areas. The Member Association also promotes knowledge through investigation (diagnoses and new intervention strategies) and disseminates its results through their website, social networks, media and scientific events. Over the years, APF has been advocating in public policies concerning sexual and reproductive rights issues as human rights matters. Contact: Instagram

Based in Tbilisi, Georgia, Association HERA XXI is a women’s rights organization working from the feminist perspective. It has been actively working in the fields of healthcare, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equality since 1998. HERA XXI offers comprehensive education to vulnerable societal groups, makes quality SRHR services more accessible, promotes development of institutions of volunteerism and activism and enhances strengthening and engagement of youth and community groups. Evidence-based advocacy, partnerships, awareness-raising, and results-oriented monitoring are essential approaches for achieving HERA XXI’s programmatic goals. Target groups: Girls and women of childbearing age; Girls and women living under the poverty line; IDP girls and women; Rural population; Girls and boys aged 14 to 25; High risk groups; Ethnic minorities; The following telephone and online/remote services can be received through the HERA XXI’s Call Center (Hot-line: 20 11 221): Consultation with a doctor/reproductive specialist; Legal consultation on sexual and reproductive rights and domestic violence; Consultation of a Social Worker for Internally Displaced People (IDPs); Online consultation service of a reproductive specialist and a legal consultant for young people - the service is available on the platform – www.youth-counseling.ge. Advocacy The Association contributes to the improvement of the political, social and economic environment of the country by promoting universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, maternal health, comprehensive education on reproductive health and healthy lifestyles, improving legal environment of children’s rights in terms of SRHR, advocating youth policies at local, national and international levels, and increasing readiness and awareness of decision-makers regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights.  Contact: Instagram, Twitter Websites: HERA for Teachers, HERA for Parents

Brook is a national charity supporting people with their sexual health and wellbeing. Founded by Helen Brook in 1964, Brook blazed a trail by empowering unmarried women to take charge of their sexual health at a time when it was deemed controversial. Despite fierce opposition, Helen Brook refused to let stigma stand in the way of what was needed. Today, Brook is proud to continue in Helen Brook’s pioneering footsteps by providing high quality, holistic sexual health and wellbeing services. Brook’s vision is that everyone is supported to live healthy lives, free from inequality and strengthened by fulfilling relationships. The charity’s unique offer combines face-to-face and digital clinical services for people of all ages, early intervention mental health and wellbeing support for young people, relationships and sex education in schools, training and consultancy for educators, outreach in local communities, and policy and advocacy.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brook X: https://twitter.com/BrookCharity YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BrookCharity Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrookCharityYP