Innovation grows from solid foundations

Faced with deteriorating sexual and reproductive health in Benin, the Family Planning
Association of Benin (ABPF) has adopted innovative approaches to tackle the critical
reproductive health issues facing the country.

Taking full advantage of the depth of
knowledge and experience we have accumulated throughout 38 years of operation, we have designed and implemented programmes that empower our target audiences, particularly young people, with sexual and reproductive health
information and services.

Through eight clinics, ABPF offers:

• family planning
• antenatal and post-abortion care
• infertility treatment
• screening of cancers of the reproductive system
• management of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS

In addition to young people, women and men, we provide services to marginalized groups
including:

• prisoners
• sex workers
• refugees
• internally displaced persons

To reduce the national maternal mortality rate, ABPF operates an effective community-based
obstetric and antenatal care service in 16 villages, using traditional birth attendants and
volunteer health workers who assist expectant women to access medical services.

A proven delivery mechanism for health services across Benin, the Member Association
also runs a community-based service for young people: community-based distributors
and peer educators provide young people with sexual and reproductive health
information, condoms and counselling services at the community level.

Investments in sexual and reproductive health services are paying off.

In 2006, ABPF served 36,000 people, 70 per cent of whom were poor or marginalized.

The community based programme to reduce maternal deaths has returned positive results for the past two years, with the number of women saved from birth-related deaths and illness rising.

In acknowledgment of ABPF’s expertise and accomplishments, the Government of Benin
invited the Association Beninoise Pour La Promotion De La Famille to be a member of
the technical committee, (within the Ministry of Planning) that drafts reproductive health
policies: the Population Policy, the Family Health Policy, HIV/AIDS policies and the
National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy.

Even as we celebrate our results, we are confronted with a low national modern contraceptive prevalence rate – 6 per cent; a high unmet need for family planning services – 27 per cent; a maternal mortality rate of 850 per 100,000 live births, and 34,000 AIDS orphans.

Cultural and religious beliefs and practices that
give men the power to determine the lifestyle and impact the well-being of women and girls is another area of concern.

We aim to meet the needs of our target groups, including empowering young people as well enabling them to access sexual and reproductive health services without hindrance.

Service delivery points
6 branches and 8 clinics

Members of governing body
9 (six women and two young people)

Staff and volunteers
45 staff (including three young people) and 405
volunteers

Voluntary counseling and testing sites
8

Youth centres
1 (offering clinical services)

Members of Young Action Movement
160

Community-based distributors
154

Partnerships
Government: Parliament, Ministère de la Famille,
Ministère de la Jeunesse, Ministère du Plan
Non-governmental organizations: CeRADIS, Africa Peace, PLAN, 3S-ADO.
Donors: USAID
CCM: CCM for Health, CCM for SRH
Networks: ROBS (National Network for Family
Welfare)