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Togo

Articles by Togo

The She Decides Project
01 December 2016

The She Decides Project

From 2018 to 2020, funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), through the She Decides project, supported IPPF and its local partners in five priority countries – Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Malawi, and Mali – to expand their reach and impact in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), particularly for those who are most marginalized. During the project period, partners provided close to 17 million SRH services at their service delivery points, such as STI screenings, HIV testing, safe abortion, and counselling and access to modern contraceptives such as long-term injectables, surpassing the initial target by 770,000. The vast majority of clients receiving these services (76.5%) are those living below the poverty line, frequently at great distances from existing health services/facilities, who may be internally displaced as a result of humanitarian crises, and are often further marginalized on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Funding through She Decides enabled partners to develop and implement innovative strategies for reaching these populations and the most hard-to-reach regions that had some of the worst SRHR indicators. For example, In Malawi, our Member Association - Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) - expanded its service delivery to rural, under-served communities in four districts (Dedza, Dowa, Mzuzu and Lilongwe) through outreach services, and strengthened provision of a comprehensive package of integrated SRH services through static clinics in 12 districts. Over the course of implementation, FPAM reached approximately 555,186 (over 25 years) women and 659,382 (<25 years) girls with integrated SHR services. A particular focus of the project has been to increase the access of hard-to-reach youth to SRHR information and services, through Youth Life Centers, youth outreach clinics, and intensive involvement of youth in outreach activities and awareness-raising campaigns. In Mali, IPPF Member Association - Association Malienne pour la Promotion et la Protection de la Famille (AMPPF) - used multiple service delivery strategies to expand access to SRH services in some of the most under-served regions of the country, some of them affected by ongoing security risks. It includes the regions of Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso, Ségou, Mopti, Gao, and Bamako District. Over the course of the project, AMPPF provided 1,524,825 integrated SRH services to over 556,228 women and girls. AMPPF organized 857 community engagement activities, including outreach at highly attended community festivals, reaching an estimated 41,423 people with positive messages about SRHR. In addition to directly supporting services and community mobilization to reach specific vulnerable populations in each country, She Decides has helped boost partners’ advocacy efforts to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), in particular for a more enabling environment in which governments and other key decision-makers are committed to upholding and fulfilling SRHR. Through this project, partners completed 2,005 specific advocacy engagements. Partners contributed to 31 advocacy wins that engender greater respect and protection of SRHR and have long-term implications for the health and wellbeing of women and girls in project countries. Key high-level advocacy initiatives included: incorporation of SRHR in municipal development plans in project regions (Colombia); approval of the National Plan to Reduce Teen Pregnancy (Dominican Republic); increasing contraceptive security and transparency around SRH financing (Guatemala); advancing abortion law reform (Malawi); and advocating for the integration of SRH into the COVID-19 response (Mali). Underpinning these interventions was a deliberate effort to build partners’ overall sustainability through data and financial systems strengthening and sustainability efforts to improve their resilience to future shocks, whether from a sudden loss of donor funding or a crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic, which erupted in the last quarter of the project, tested this capacity as partners pivoted quickly to provide continuity of services and to advocate for the inclusion of SRHR as part of the emergency response. For more information, visit the project report: GAC/She Decides Report

Adobe stock 1
31 January 2022

GAC Youth Centres of Excellence

  The project seeks to empower young people through rights-based sexual and reproductive health service delivery and comprehensive sexuality education. Budget:  6,392,160 USD Donor: Global Affairs Canada Timeline: 3 Years ( 2019 – 2022 ) Project implementation areas: Colombia, Ghana and Togo Partners: Pro-familia, PPAG, ATBEF Key achievements to date: 12 Member Associations (MA) supported through peer-to-peer support by 2 CoE Hosts Over 400,000 SRH services provided to young people Two Anglophone and One Francophone events held in 2021 Involvement of the Youth Action Movement Innovative approaches: Use of Digital Knowledge products(infoado jeunes App and e-learning platform) to expand access to CSE Lessons learned:  Need to document best and promising practices Learning Sessions between CoE hosts needs to be strengthened

Fane Zara
14 January 2022

The BMZ Project: Supporting People Affected by Humanitarian Crises in sub-Saharan Africa

The BMZ project supported refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities in Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Togo, in accessing quality sexual reproductive health care and in setting up income generating activities. Watch our video to find out how. Also watch the stories of beneficiaries reached through the BMZ project: BMZ Beneficiary story: Cameroon BMZ Beneficiary story: Burkina Faso BMZ Beneficiary story: Togo

Christine Togo
26 August 2021

Togo: Supporting Refugees and Displaced People -the BMZ Project

The BMZ project supported refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities in Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Togo, in accessing quality sexual reproductive health care and in setting up income generating activities. Learn more about the work of our Member Association in Togo - The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) with regard to the humanitarian response and support to refugees, displaced populations and the host communities, courtesy of the BMZ project.

Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF)
23 July 2021

I had a Vasectomy, and my Wife and I Couldn’t be Happier

One day, while 55-year-old Kangni Kpessou was listening to Nana FM*, an interesting programme on vasectomy came on air. He had never heard about vasectomy, hence his interest to learn more about it. The programme was co-produced by Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF), which is IPPF’s Member Association in Togo. “I knew about ATBEF because I had been going there for almost 10 years whenever I took my wife for gynaecological consultations. It is also where my children went when they fell ill. But I did not know they offered vasectomy services, so I was really interested in learning more”, he remembers. Kangni had discussed family planning with his wife a few weeks prior, but nothing conclusive had been decided. The couple revisited the discussion a few days after the radio show aired and secured an appointment for Kangni at the ATBEF. On the day he went to the clinic, Kangni says he was warmly received by the guards, nurses and doctors. “The doctor patiently took his time to explain the vasectomy procedure to me in a detailed manner while answering all my questions and calming my worries. Satisfied, I made my final decision. Having 11 children was sufficient reason for me to  choose to do a vasectomy”, he recalls. The vasectomy was done at ATBEF’s clinic in April 2012. Noting the professionalism of the ATBEF team, Kangni says he was impressed by the after-care and follow-up services he received after the surgery. The vasectomy was of great benefit to Kangni and his family. “Since we were not on any family planning method, I’m sure we would have gotten more children, yet we were already struggling to provide for the 11 we had. Since the vasectomy, our minds have been at ease as we haven’t had to worry anymore about another baby coming.” Kangni’s wife has been a great source of encouragement. She even participated in forums where she talks about the benefits of vasectomy and the role of men in family planning.   “My experience has taught me that men too can take up family planning instead of fully placing this responsibility on women. Interestingly, my friends who hear my story find my decision very strange. This is because in Togo, men rarely involve themselves in matters of family planning as they are considered to be women’s affairs,” he says. Since his vasectomy, Kangni has been educating fellow men about their involvement in family planning. He has also been trained by ATBEF as a family planning champion. “I am happy that men who hear my story go to ATBEF to seek more information about vasectomy, and some have even taken up the service!” Kangni says. ATBEF vasectomy procedures (2017 – 2020) 2017 :20 vasectomy procedures 2018 : 16 vasectomy procedures 2019 : 19 vasectomy procedures 2020 : 25 vasectomy procedures *ATBEF works in partnership with Nana FM to promote sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Togo. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Hayathe Ayeva
11 March 2021

Hayathe Ayeva, a Leader at Heart, a Fighter for Young People's Sexual Reproductive Health Rights

20-year-old Hayathe Ayeva is the President of the Youth Action Movement (YAM) of the Togolese Association for Family Welfare (ATBEF) -the Member Association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in the country. A college student who is passionate about communication and writing, Hayathe has won several public speaking competitions. She identifies herself as ‘a proud social activist, woman defender of Human Rights, committed to the Sexual and Reproductive Health of adolescents and young people’. Hayathe is passionate about leadership, and has held various leadership roles in her community since the age of 10. Before joining the YAM at the age of 12 years, she was a member of several associations including the Light Club of Plan International Togo, the German Club, the theatre group and the UNESCO Club at her school, where she was also the founding president of the Anti-AIDS Club. As part of YAM’s activities, Hayathe works with her peers to support ATBEF's advocacy work on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues, especially among the youth. According to Hayathe, the main health SRHR challenges facing young people in Togo include prohibitive traditions that consider sexuality issues as taboo, the lack of spaces dedicated to youth activities, long distances to youth-friendly service centers, and difficult access to SRHR information including family planning. To address some of these challenges, ATBEF supports young people by availing their premises for YAM  activities. In these youth-friendly centers, they can access various documents and services. Hayathe is very active in ATBEF's activities. "I have participated in several ATBEF campaigns and projects where I have raised SRHR awareness targeting young people on social media platforms through my pages. I was also involved in the development of the novel mobile application ‘InfoAdoJeune’, a platform that helps young people access credible information on Sexual and Reproductive Health during the COVID-19 period. Hayathe is also part of the implementation team for the project on "Effective youth involvement in the mid-term review, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of TOGO's 2017-2022 National Budgeted Action Plan for Reproductive Health/Family Planning (PANB)”. As a young female leader and SRHR champion, Hayathe faces various challenges, more so those related to social and financial support. "To address these challenges, I try to increase everyone's understanding of the value of my involvement.  For activities that require costs, I try to manage with my own money and those of my relatives because I am committed to serving my community without expecting anything in return.” Despite women's involvement in all sectors around the world, Hayathe notes several obstacles to women's access to leadership positions. “They include society’s view that tends to place men above women -and the resultant women's lack of self-confidence, forced marriages and early pregnancies, family and marital responsibilities that impede them from fully pursuing their ambitions.“ To overcome these obstacles, Hayathe believes that "governments must promote gender equality and appoint more women to positions of responsibility. This will ensure they are represented at all levels and in organizational structures. More honor should be accorded to women in order to encourage others to cultivate the culture of excellence.” Hayathe's primary motivation for women's leadership is to uplift the voice of voiceless youth, to reach out to vulnerable and marginalized populations, and to share quality sexual and reproductive health information. "I am proud of the positive impact of my actions on young people in my community, which I note through their encouragement and suggestions,” she concludes. Read this article in French here. Hayathe on social networks: Facebook: Hayathe AYEVA Facebook page (personal blog): Hayathe AYEVA Twitter: @AHayathe

ATBEF
08 April 2020

Voici comment l’ATBEF participe à la lutte contre le COVID-19 au Togo

Le gouvernement togolais seul ne peut pas venir à bout du coronavirus (COVID-9). C’est dans ce sens que l’Association Togolaise pour le Bien-être familial (ATBEF) à part les actions de  sensibilisations qu’elle organise sur les réseaux sociaux, dépêche une équipe de sensibilisation depuis lundi 30 mars au sein de la population pour lutter contre la propagation de la maladie. Togotopnews a suivi la délégation lundi 06 avril.  Il est 9h30 au quartier Tokoin Gbonvié. Nous sommes au  siège de l’ATBEF. Une clinique mobile de l'Association, un véhicule Toyota Landcruiser blanche, s’apprête à démarrer. Le contrôle de routine est fait pour vérifier le bon état du micro et du haut-parleur qui serviront à passer l’information en sillonnant les artères de la ville.  A bord de la voiture, se trouvent deux hommes "bien protégés' avec des bavettes . Il s’agit de la responsable de la mission et un polyglotte. Ce dernier  est assistant social sur le projet BMZ à l’ATBEF. De la musique et des messages de sensibilisation en 6 différentes langues (4 locales et 2 étrangères) qui raisonnent à travers le dispositif installé sur le véhicule nous conduisent premièrement au marché de La Paix du quartier Agbalépédogan, après avoir traversé quelques artères de la ville. A cet endroit, le polyglotte, M. Merveille BAKA descend, prend son micro et commence par sensibiliser  les revendeuses et revendeurs du marché.  Lisez l'article complet ici: http://togotopnews.com/index.php/sante/item/3873-reportage-covid-19-l-atbef-au-front-contre-la-propagation-du-virus   

28 July 2018

Faire encore plus pour atteindre les résultats stratégiques de l’IPPF !! Towards even more achievement of IPPF's strategic outcomes!!

Faire encore plus pour atteindre les résultats stratégiques de l’IPPF !! Faire encore plus pour atteindre les résultats stratégiques de l’IPPF !! La 18ème édition de la réunion des donateurs de l’IPPF a débuté ce lundi 11 juin 2018 à Sir Christopher Wren Hôtel à Windsor en Grande Bretagne. Devant une bonne trentaine de donateurs issus des Gouvernements, des fondations et des Organisations mondiales œuvrant pour la santé et des droits sexuels et de la reproduction, l’IPPF par le biais de sa Présidente mondiale Rana Abu Ghazaleh de son Directeur Général  Dr. Alvaro Bermejo des Directeurs des départements ont présenté les rapports 2017 de la Fédération. Ils relèvent essentiellement au niveau de tous les résultats stratégiques des progrès considérables. Cette première journée a été également consacrée à la présentation du travail des Associations Membres de la Fédération. Ainsi, pour la Région Afrique, l’ATBEF par le biais de son responsable communication et mobilisation de ressources représentant la Directrice Exécutive,  M Joël EKLOU et une jeune bénéficiaire des services de l’Association et paire éducatrice à l’Université de Lomé ont présenté à travers un poster titré « empoworing youth and local communities to promote youth right and access in Togo », le programme jeune de l’Association aux donateurs.  Un panel sur les enjeux de la nouvelle architecture de l’aide pour la Santé et les Droits Sexuels et de la Reproduction a clôturé les travaux du 1er jour.   Joël EKLOU Responsable Communication et Mobilisation de Ressources, ATBEF     Towards even more achievement of IPPF's strategic outcomes!! The 18thedition of the IPPF Donor Meeting began this Monday, June 11, 2018 at Sir Christopher Wren Hotel in Windsor, UK. With over 30 donors from governments and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working for sexual and reproductive health and rights. IPPF through its Global President Dr. Rana Abu Ghazaleh and from Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, Director General presented the 2017 report. It outlined the work achieved so far as aligned to the strategic plan – there was considerable progress in reaching the strategic goals. This first day was also devoted to the presentation of the work of the Member Associations. For Africa Region, Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) represented by Mr. Joël Eklou, Communication and Resource Mobilization Representative and Cherita Ankoua beneficiary of the services provided by ATBEF and peer educator at the University of Lomé presented a poster titled "EmpoweringYouth and Local Communities to Promote Youth Right and Access in Togo”. Mr. Lucien Kouakou, Regional Director – IPPF Africa Region presented the work achieved though the youth program.  An interesting panel session gave participants a chance to discuss issues of the new aid architecture for Health and Sexual Rights and Reproduction.    Joël EKLOU Communication and Resource Mobilization Manager, ATBEF  

09 April 2018

Un Chef vaudou, champion en PF au Togo ! / Reproductive Health Champion in Togo!

Son nom Kodjovi KPOMEGBE,  Prêtre vodou dans le canton d’Attitogon dans la préfecture du Bas-Mono dans le sud du Togo, marié à trois (03) femmes et père de dix (10) enfants. Jusque-là rien d’exceptionnel pour cet homme de 43 ans qui jouit d’une renommée indescriptible au sein de sa communauté pour ses puissances spirituelles héritées de Père en fils. Mais dire que celui que tout le monde appelle Togbui devienne aujourd’hui un promoteur sans égal de la planification familiale dans la contrée surprend plus d’un. En effet, au détour de la formation organisée par l’ATBEF dans le cadre du projet d’engagement des hommes et des jeunes garçons dans la SR/PF en vue de réduire la mortalité maternelle et infantile au Togo, Kodjovi, choisi pour représenter la chefferie traditionnelle à ladite formation a été totalement transformé. « Je me suis scruté, examiné ma famille, mes 10 enfants et mes 03 femmes après l’animation de la session sur les avantages de la planification familiale au cours de l’atelier. Rien n’était contre les préceptes divins et au-delà je me suis vu comme un bourreau de ma famille. Ma vision de la chose a complètement changée. J’ai demandé à mes épouses d’adopter la planification familiale à l’USP dès la semaine qui suit la formation. Certes au niveau de mes collègues chefs vaudou, je suis perçu depuis quelques temps comme un peu fou, mais j’assume et je compte convaincre tous les autres. Avec le projet, j’ai déjà animé des émissions radiophoniques et des dialogues communautaires à Attitogon et je ne compte pas m’arrêter là. J’ai déjà convaincu une bonne partie des femmes de mon couvent vaudou à emboiter le pas à mes épouses. » A l’instar de Kodjovi, nos villages et hameaux ont besoin d’hommes d’envergure pouvant changer les pratiques routinières négatives. Le projet innovant dit d’implication des hommes change la donne en donnant l’opportunité aux hommes au travers des écoles de garçons et de maris de renforcer leurs aptitudes à être des exemples d’implication et de soutien aux femmes et filles dans leur communauté. D’ores et déjà après un (1) an de mise en œuvre, les cas Kodjovi sont légions dans les zones de mise en œuvre du projet ceci au bénéfice de l’accès des populations en Droits en Santé Sexuelle et de la Reproduction. Joël EKLOU Responsable Communication et  Mobilisation de Ressources ATBEF     Kodjovi KPOMEGBE, is a traditional priest in Attitogon, Bas-Mono Southern Togo. He is has 3 wives and is a father of ten 10 children. There is nothting exceptional about this 43-year-old man apart from his life of stark contrasts. He is a man who is revered within his community for his traditional gifts that are handed down from father to son yet today, Kodjovi is a champion of family planning. This is a susprise to his community.     Kodjovi attended a training organized by Association Togolaise Pour Le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) on reduction of maternal and infant mortality in Togo. During this training, he was chosen to represent the chiefs of his region. It is within this training that he decided to become a champion on family planing.    "After the training, I scrutinized myself, my family, my 10 children and my 3 wives. I am glad to say that my family and I will benefit of family planning. It was clear that there is nothting that goes against the divine precepts of my religion. As a the breadwinner of my family, my vision of the things that I had in mind for my family has now completely changed. I have already requested my wives to adopt family planning at the clinic. At the level of my colleagues - the traditional religious leaders, I have been perceived for some time as a little crazy. But I accept is and I have set it as a goal to convince all of them to embrace family planning.” Kodjovi said during an interview with journalists.   “With this project from ATBEF, I have talked on community radio programs and community dialogues in my villages and I do not intend to stop there. I have already convinced a good part of the women of my religious convent to follow suit and access family planning like my wives."     Like Kodjovi, our villages need men of influce who can move from negative traditional practices. This innovative project from ATBEF that encourages male involvement is changing the game by giving men the opportunity to strengthen their abilities to be role models and supporters of women and girls in their communities.   After only 1 year of implementation, the number of “Kodjovi cases” have increased in the region and are bound to boost demand for Rights in Sexual Health Services.       Joël EKLOU Communication and  Resource Mobilization Director, ATBEF  

The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF)
15 August 2017

This is the Reason Why this Young Father Took His Babies to the Clinic

By Joel Eklou *Read the French version of this story below. A rare scene was recently witnessed at the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF ) main clinic in Lome, specifically at the vaccination section. In the waiting area was Sadjo, a 32-year-old man who was playing with his 4-month-old twins, Eli and Isaiah, while waiting to be seen by the clinician. The stares and murmurs by fellow patients kept growing louder by the minute. "Where is the mother of these children? How can she let the dad bring the babies alone to the clinic?” While others had different views: “He is a dad like no other… we have never seen a father like him –so committed to his children…” The very relaxed Sadjo comfortably answered them: "It is a great pleasure to bring my babies to the clinic. This is the second time I’m doing so since they were born. I have received many odd looks from both women and men on the road when coming to the clinic, and even right here in the clinic. Many think that my wife died during childbirth. However, my wife Adjo is very well. We decided that I will play an active parenting role, where I don’t leave all responsibilities to her. Yesterday, we discussed and agreed that I would bring our children to the clinic today, to enable her to go undertake some shopping for her trade.” Sadjo, a professional brick layer demonstrates that the care of children in a family is a shared responsibility by the couple. He reverses the cliché that the healthcare of children is solely a mother's issue, and gives a beautiful testimony of the need for male involvement in the health and well-being of the family. It is also interesting to note that Sadjo and his wife choose ATBEF's clinic for their health needs, because of their reputation as a service provider that offers quality and affordable services to all. *The French version of this story follows below. Joel Eklou is the Communication and Resource Mobilization Manager, The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook and Twitter **************************************************************************************************   Voilà pourquoi ce jeune papa a amené seul ses bébés à la clinique par Joel Eklou Une scène rare s’est produite très récemment à la clinique principale de l’Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) plus précisément dans son service de vaccination : dans la salle d’attente,  Sadjo, 32 ans s’amuse avec  ses jumeaux de 4 mois, Eli et Isaïe le temps qu’ils soient reçus par la Sage-Femme. Les regards et les murmures des autres patients continuaient à s’amplifier à la minute: « Où est la maman de ces bébés ? Comment peut-elle laisser le Papa seul amener les bébés à la clinique ? ». Mais  d'autres avaient des points de vue différents: " Un papa pas comme les autres ... Nous n'avons jamais vu un père comme lui, aussi engagé envers ses enfants ..." Très à l’aise et serein, Sadjo leur répond: " C’est un immense plaisir d’amener mes bébés à la clinique et c’est la 2ème fois que je le fais après l’accouchement des jumeaux. Beaucoup me regardent bizarrement aussi bien les femmes que les hommes tout au long du chemin qui m’a amené jusqu’à la clinique. Beaucoup pensent même que ma femme est décédée à l’accouchement alors que mon épouse Adjo va bien. Nous avons décidé que je joue pleinement mon rôle de parent en toute responsabilité sans laisser ma femme seule s’occuper des enfants.  Hier, nous nous sommes convenu qu’elle puisse vaquer aux achats pour son commerce et que moi, je les amène aujourd’hui à la clinique.” Sadjo, 32 ans, maçon-carreleur de profession démontre ainsi que la prise en charge familiale des enfants reste une affaire de couple et donc des deux conjoints.  Il renverse ainsi les clichés que prendre soin des enfants n’est pas seulement l’apanage des femmes et donne ainsi un beau témoignage sur l’engagement des hommes en matière de santé et de bien-être de la famille. Il est également intéressant de constater que Sadjo et sa femme ont choisi la clinique de l’ATBEF pour leur besoin en matière de santé en raison des services de qualité à couts abordables qui y sont offerts. Joël Eklou est le Responsable Communication et Mobilisation de Ressources, The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF)

The She Decides Project
01 December 2016

The She Decides Project

From 2018 to 2020, funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), through the She Decides project, supported IPPF and its local partners in five priority countries – Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Malawi, and Mali – to expand their reach and impact in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), particularly for those who are most marginalized. During the project period, partners provided close to 17 million SRH services at their service delivery points, such as STI screenings, HIV testing, safe abortion, and counselling and access to modern contraceptives such as long-term injectables, surpassing the initial target by 770,000. The vast majority of clients receiving these services (76.5%) are those living below the poverty line, frequently at great distances from existing health services/facilities, who may be internally displaced as a result of humanitarian crises, and are often further marginalized on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Funding through She Decides enabled partners to develop and implement innovative strategies for reaching these populations and the most hard-to-reach regions that had some of the worst SRHR indicators. For example, In Malawi, our Member Association - Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) - expanded its service delivery to rural, under-served communities in four districts (Dedza, Dowa, Mzuzu and Lilongwe) through outreach services, and strengthened provision of a comprehensive package of integrated SRH services through static clinics in 12 districts. Over the course of implementation, FPAM reached approximately 555,186 (over 25 years) women and 659,382 (<25 years) girls with integrated SHR services. A particular focus of the project has been to increase the access of hard-to-reach youth to SRHR information and services, through Youth Life Centers, youth outreach clinics, and intensive involvement of youth in outreach activities and awareness-raising campaigns. In Mali, IPPF Member Association - Association Malienne pour la Promotion et la Protection de la Famille (AMPPF) - used multiple service delivery strategies to expand access to SRH services in some of the most under-served regions of the country, some of them affected by ongoing security risks. It includes the regions of Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso, Ségou, Mopti, Gao, and Bamako District. Over the course of the project, AMPPF provided 1,524,825 integrated SRH services to over 556,228 women and girls. AMPPF organized 857 community engagement activities, including outreach at highly attended community festivals, reaching an estimated 41,423 people with positive messages about SRHR. In addition to directly supporting services and community mobilization to reach specific vulnerable populations in each country, She Decides has helped boost partners’ advocacy efforts to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), in particular for a more enabling environment in which governments and other key decision-makers are committed to upholding and fulfilling SRHR. Through this project, partners completed 2,005 specific advocacy engagements. Partners contributed to 31 advocacy wins that engender greater respect and protection of SRHR and have long-term implications for the health and wellbeing of women and girls in project countries. Key high-level advocacy initiatives included: incorporation of SRHR in municipal development plans in project regions (Colombia); approval of the National Plan to Reduce Teen Pregnancy (Dominican Republic); increasing contraceptive security and transparency around SRH financing (Guatemala); advancing abortion law reform (Malawi); and advocating for the integration of SRH into the COVID-19 response (Mali). Underpinning these interventions was a deliberate effort to build partners’ overall sustainability through data and financial systems strengthening and sustainability efforts to improve their resilience to future shocks, whether from a sudden loss of donor funding or a crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic, which erupted in the last quarter of the project, tested this capacity as partners pivoted quickly to provide continuity of services and to advocate for the inclusion of SRHR as part of the emergency response. For more information, visit the project report: GAC/She Decides Report

Adobe stock 1
31 January 2022

GAC Youth Centres of Excellence

  The project seeks to empower young people through rights-based sexual and reproductive health service delivery and comprehensive sexuality education. Budget:  6,392,160 USD Donor: Global Affairs Canada Timeline: 3 Years ( 2019 – 2022 ) Project implementation areas: Colombia, Ghana and Togo Partners: Pro-familia, PPAG, ATBEF Key achievements to date: 12 Member Associations (MA) supported through peer-to-peer support by 2 CoE Hosts Over 400,000 SRH services provided to young people Two Anglophone and One Francophone events held in 2021 Involvement of the Youth Action Movement Innovative approaches: Use of Digital Knowledge products(infoado jeunes App and e-learning platform) to expand access to CSE Lessons learned:  Need to document best and promising practices Learning Sessions between CoE hosts needs to be strengthened

Fane Zara
14 January 2022

The BMZ Project: Supporting People Affected by Humanitarian Crises in sub-Saharan Africa

The BMZ project supported refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities in Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Togo, in accessing quality sexual reproductive health care and in setting up income generating activities. Watch our video to find out how. Also watch the stories of beneficiaries reached through the BMZ project: BMZ Beneficiary story: Cameroon BMZ Beneficiary story: Burkina Faso BMZ Beneficiary story: Togo

Christine Togo
26 August 2021

Togo: Supporting Refugees and Displaced People -the BMZ Project

The BMZ project supported refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities in Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Togo, in accessing quality sexual reproductive health care and in setting up income generating activities. Learn more about the work of our Member Association in Togo - The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) with regard to the humanitarian response and support to refugees, displaced populations and the host communities, courtesy of the BMZ project.

Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF)
23 July 2021

I had a Vasectomy, and my Wife and I Couldn’t be Happier

One day, while 55-year-old Kangni Kpessou was listening to Nana FM*, an interesting programme on vasectomy came on air. He had never heard about vasectomy, hence his interest to learn more about it. The programme was co-produced by Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF), which is IPPF’s Member Association in Togo. “I knew about ATBEF because I had been going there for almost 10 years whenever I took my wife for gynaecological consultations. It is also where my children went when they fell ill. But I did not know they offered vasectomy services, so I was really interested in learning more”, he remembers. Kangni had discussed family planning with his wife a few weeks prior, but nothing conclusive had been decided. The couple revisited the discussion a few days after the radio show aired and secured an appointment for Kangni at the ATBEF. On the day he went to the clinic, Kangni says he was warmly received by the guards, nurses and doctors. “The doctor patiently took his time to explain the vasectomy procedure to me in a detailed manner while answering all my questions and calming my worries. Satisfied, I made my final decision. Having 11 children was sufficient reason for me to  choose to do a vasectomy”, he recalls. The vasectomy was done at ATBEF’s clinic in April 2012. Noting the professionalism of the ATBEF team, Kangni says he was impressed by the after-care and follow-up services he received after the surgery. The vasectomy was of great benefit to Kangni and his family. “Since we were not on any family planning method, I’m sure we would have gotten more children, yet we were already struggling to provide for the 11 we had. Since the vasectomy, our minds have been at ease as we haven’t had to worry anymore about another baby coming.” Kangni’s wife has been a great source of encouragement. She even participated in forums where she talks about the benefits of vasectomy and the role of men in family planning.   “My experience has taught me that men too can take up family planning instead of fully placing this responsibility on women. Interestingly, my friends who hear my story find my decision very strange. This is because in Togo, men rarely involve themselves in matters of family planning as they are considered to be women’s affairs,” he says. Since his vasectomy, Kangni has been educating fellow men about their involvement in family planning. He has also been trained by ATBEF as a family planning champion. “I am happy that men who hear my story go to ATBEF to seek more information about vasectomy, and some have even taken up the service!” Kangni says. ATBEF vasectomy procedures (2017 – 2020) 2017 :20 vasectomy procedures 2018 : 16 vasectomy procedures 2019 : 19 vasectomy procedures 2020 : 25 vasectomy procedures *ATBEF works in partnership with Nana FM to promote sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Togo. For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Hayathe Ayeva
11 March 2021

Hayathe Ayeva, a Leader at Heart, a Fighter for Young People's Sexual Reproductive Health Rights

20-year-old Hayathe Ayeva is the President of the Youth Action Movement (YAM) of the Togolese Association for Family Welfare (ATBEF) -the Member Association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in the country. A college student who is passionate about communication and writing, Hayathe has won several public speaking competitions. She identifies herself as ‘a proud social activist, woman defender of Human Rights, committed to the Sexual and Reproductive Health of adolescents and young people’. Hayathe is passionate about leadership, and has held various leadership roles in her community since the age of 10. Before joining the YAM at the age of 12 years, she was a member of several associations including the Light Club of Plan International Togo, the German Club, the theatre group and the UNESCO Club at her school, where she was also the founding president of the Anti-AIDS Club. As part of YAM’s activities, Hayathe works with her peers to support ATBEF's advocacy work on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues, especially among the youth. According to Hayathe, the main health SRHR challenges facing young people in Togo include prohibitive traditions that consider sexuality issues as taboo, the lack of spaces dedicated to youth activities, long distances to youth-friendly service centers, and difficult access to SRHR information including family planning. To address some of these challenges, ATBEF supports young people by availing their premises for YAM  activities. In these youth-friendly centers, they can access various documents and services. Hayathe is very active in ATBEF's activities. "I have participated in several ATBEF campaigns and projects where I have raised SRHR awareness targeting young people on social media platforms through my pages. I was also involved in the development of the novel mobile application ‘InfoAdoJeune’, a platform that helps young people access credible information on Sexual and Reproductive Health during the COVID-19 period. Hayathe is also part of the implementation team for the project on "Effective youth involvement in the mid-term review, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of TOGO's 2017-2022 National Budgeted Action Plan for Reproductive Health/Family Planning (PANB)”. As a young female leader and SRHR champion, Hayathe faces various challenges, more so those related to social and financial support. "To address these challenges, I try to increase everyone's understanding of the value of my involvement.  For activities that require costs, I try to manage with my own money and those of my relatives because I am committed to serving my community without expecting anything in return.” Despite women's involvement in all sectors around the world, Hayathe notes several obstacles to women's access to leadership positions. “They include society’s view that tends to place men above women -and the resultant women's lack of self-confidence, forced marriages and early pregnancies, family and marital responsibilities that impede them from fully pursuing their ambitions.“ To overcome these obstacles, Hayathe believes that "governments must promote gender equality and appoint more women to positions of responsibility. This will ensure they are represented at all levels and in organizational structures. More honor should be accorded to women in order to encourage others to cultivate the culture of excellence.” Hayathe's primary motivation for women's leadership is to uplift the voice of voiceless youth, to reach out to vulnerable and marginalized populations, and to share quality sexual and reproductive health information. "I am proud of the positive impact of my actions on young people in my community, which I note through their encouragement and suggestions,” she concludes. Read this article in French here. Hayathe on social networks: Facebook: Hayathe AYEVA Facebook page (personal blog): Hayathe AYEVA Twitter: @AHayathe

ATBEF
08 April 2020

Voici comment l’ATBEF participe à la lutte contre le COVID-19 au Togo

Le gouvernement togolais seul ne peut pas venir à bout du coronavirus (COVID-9). C’est dans ce sens que l’Association Togolaise pour le Bien-être familial (ATBEF) à part les actions de  sensibilisations qu’elle organise sur les réseaux sociaux, dépêche une équipe de sensibilisation depuis lundi 30 mars au sein de la population pour lutter contre la propagation de la maladie. Togotopnews a suivi la délégation lundi 06 avril.  Il est 9h30 au quartier Tokoin Gbonvié. Nous sommes au  siège de l’ATBEF. Une clinique mobile de l'Association, un véhicule Toyota Landcruiser blanche, s’apprête à démarrer. Le contrôle de routine est fait pour vérifier le bon état du micro et du haut-parleur qui serviront à passer l’information en sillonnant les artères de la ville.  A bord de la voiture, se trouvent deux hommes "bien protégés' avec des bavettes . Il s’agit de la responsable de la mission et un polyglotte. Ce dernier  est assistant social sur le projet BMZ à l’ATBEF. De la musique et des messages de sensibilisation en 6 différentes langues (4 locales et 2 étrangères) qui raisonnent à travers le dispositif installé sur le véhicule nous conduisent premièrement au marché de La Paix du quartier Agbalépédogan, après avoir traversé quelques artères de la ville. A cet endroit, le polyglotte, M. Merveille BAKA descend, prend son micro et commence par sensibiliser  les revendeuses et revendeurs du marché.  Lisez l'article complet ici: http://togotopnews.com/index.php/sante/item/3873-reportage-covid-19-l-atbef-au-front-contre-la-propagation-du-virus   

28 July 2018

Faire encore plus pour atteindre les résultats stratégiques de l’IPPF !! Towards even more achievement of IPPF's strategic outcomes!!

Faire encore plus pour atteindre les résultats stratégiques de l’IPPF !! Faire encore plus pour atteindre les résultats stratégiques de l’IPPF !! La 18ème édition de la réunion des donateurs de l’IPPF a débuté ce lundi 11 juin 2018 à Sir Christopher Wren Hôtel à Windsor en Grande Bretagne. Devant une bonne trentaine de donateurs issus des Gouvernements, des fondations et des Organisations mondiales œuvrant pour la santé et des droits sexuels et de la reproduction, l’IPPF par le biais de sa Présidente mondiale Rana Abu Ghazaleh de son Directeur Général  Dr. Alvaro Bermejo des Directeurs des départements ont présenté les rapports 2017 de la Fédération. Ils relèvent essentiellement au niveau de tous les résultats stratégiques des progrès considérables. Cette première journée a été également consacrée à la présentation du travail des Associations Membres de la Fédération. Ainsi, pour la Région Afrique, l’ATBEF par le biais de son responsable communication et mobilisation de ressources représentant la Directrice Exécutive,  M Joël EKLOU et une jeune bénéficiaire des services de l’Association et paire éducatrice à l’Université de Lomé ont présenté à travers un poster titré « empoworing youth and local communities to promote youth right and access in Togo », le programme jeune de l’Association aux donateurs.  Un panel sur les enjeux de la nouvelle architecture de l’aide pour la Santé et les Droits Sexuels et de la Reproduction a clôturé les travaux du 1er jour.   Joël EKLOU Responsable Communication et Mobilisation de Ressources, ATBEF     Towards even more achievement of IPPF's strategic outcomes!! The 18thedition of the IPPF Donor Meeting began this Monday, June 11, 2018 at Sir Christopher Wren Hotel in Windsor, UK. With over 30 donors from governments and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working for sexual and reproductive health and rights. IPPF through its Global President Dr. Rana Abu Ghazaleh and from Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, Director General presented the 2017 report. It outlined the work achieved so far as aligned to the strategic plan – there was considerable progress in reaching the strategic goals. This first day was also devoted to the presentation of the work of the Member Associations. For Africa Region, Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) represented by Mr. Joël Eklou, Communication and Resource Mobilization Representative and Cherita Ankoua beneficiary of the services provided by ATBEF and peer educator at the University of Lomé presented a poster titled "EmpoweringYouth and Local Communities to Promote Youth Right and Access in Togo”. Mr. Lucien Kouakou, Regional Director – IPPF Africa Region presented the work achieved though the youth program.  An interesting panel session gave participants a chance to discuss issues of the new aid architecture for Health and Sexual Rights and Reproduction.    Joël EKLOU Communication and Resource Mobilization Manager, ATBEF  

09 April 2018

Un Chef vaudou, champion en PF au Togo ! / Reproductive Health Champion in Togo!

Son nom Kodjovi KPOMEGBE,  Prêtre vodou dans le canton d’Attitogon dans la préfecture du Bas-Mono dans le sud du Togo, marié à trois (03) femmes et père de dix (10) enfants. Jusque-là rien d’exceptionnel pour cet homme de 43 ans qui jouit d’une renommée indescriptible au sein de sa communauté pour ses puissances spirituelles héritées de Père en fils. Mais dire que celui que tout le monde appelle Togbui devienne aujourd’hui un promoteur sans égal de la planification familiale dans la contrée surprend plus d’un. En effet, au détour de la formation organisée par l’ATBEF dans le cadre du projet d’engagement des hommes et des jeunes garçons dans la SR/PF en vue de réduire la mortalité maternelle et infantile au Togo, Kodjovi, choisi pour représenter la chefferie traditionnelle à ladite formation a été totalement transformé. « Je me suis scruté, examiné ma famille, mes 10 enfants et mes 03 femmes après l’animation de la session sur les avantages de la planification familiale au cours de l’atelier. Rien n’était contre les préceptes divins et au-delà je me suis vu comme un bourreau de ma famille. Ma vision de la chose a complètement changée. J’ai demandé à mes épouses d’adopter la planification familiale à l’USP dès la semaine qui suit la formation. Certes au niveau de mes collègues chefs vaudou, je suis perçu depuis quelques temps comme un peu fou, mais j’assume et je compte convaincre tous les autres. Avec le projet, j’ai déjà animé des émissions radiophoniques et des dialogues communautaires à Attitogon et je ne compte pas m’arrêter là. J’ai déjà convaincu une bonne partie des femmes de mon couvent vaudou à emboiter le pas à mes épouses. » A l’instar de Kodjovi, nos villages et hameaux ont besoin d’hommes d’envergure pouvant changer les pratiques routinières négatives. Le projet innovant dit d’implication des hommes change la donne en donnant l’opportunité aux hommes au travers des écoles de garçons et de maris de renforcer leurs aptitudes à être des exemples d’implication et de soutien aux femmes et filles dans leur communauté. D’ores et déjà après un (1) an de mise en œuvre, les cas Kodjovi sont légions dans les zones de mise en œuvre du projet ceci au bénéfice de l’accès des populations en Droits en Santé Sexuelle et de la Reproduction. Joël EKLOU Responsable Communication et  Mobilisation de Ressources ATBEF     Kodjovi KPOMEGBE, is a traditional priest in Attitogon, Bas-Mono Southern Togo. He is has 3 wives and is a father of ten 10 children. There is nothting exceptional about this 43-year-old man apart from his life of stark contrasts. He is a man who is revered within his community for his traditional gifts that are handed down from father to son yet today, Kodjovi is a champion of family planning. This is a susprise to his community.     Kodjovi attended a training organized by Association Togolaise Pour Le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) on reduction of maternal and infant mortality in Togo. During this training, he was chosen to represent the chiefs of his region. It is within this training that he decided to become a champion on family planing.    "After the training, I scrutinized myself, my family, my 10 children and my 3 wives. I am glad to say that my family and I will benefit of family planning. It was clear that there is nothting that goes against the divine precepts of my religion. As a the breadwinner of my family, my vision of the things that I had in mind for my family has now completely changed. I have already requested my wives to adopt family planning at the clinic. At the level of my colleagues - the traditional religious leaders, I have been perceived for some time as a little crazy. But I accept is and I have set it as a goal to convince all of them to embrace family planning.” Kodjovi said during an interview with journalists.   “With this project from ATBEF, I have talked on community radio programs and community dialogues in my villages and I do not intend to stop there. I have already convinced a good part of the women of my religious convent to follow suit and access family planning like my wives."     Like Kodjovi, our villages need men of influce who can move from negative traditional practices. This innovative project from ATBEF that encourages male involvement is changing the game by giving men the opportunity to strengthen their abilities to be role models and supporters of women and girls in their communities.   After only 1 year of implementation, the number of “Kodjovi cases” have increased in the region and are bound to boost demand for Rights in Sexual Health Services.       Joël EKLOU Communication and  Resource Mobilization Director, ATBEF  

The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF)
15 August 2017

This is the Reason Why this Young Father Took His Babies to the Clinic

By Joel Eklou *Read the French version of this story below. A rare scene was recently witnessed at the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF ) main clinic in Lome, specifically at the vaccination section. In the waiting area was Sadjo, a 32-year-old man who was playing with his 4-month-old twins, Eli and Isaiah, while waiting to be seen by the clinician. The stares and murmurs by fellow patients kept growing louder by the minute. "Where is the mother of these children? How can she let the dad bring the babies alone to the clinic?” While others had different views: “He is a dad like no other… we have never seen a father like him –so committed to his children…” The very relaxed Sadjo comfortably answered them: "It is a great pleasure to bring my babies to the clinic. This is the second time I’m doing so since they were born. I have received many odd looks from both women and men on the road when coming to the clinic, and even right here in the clinic. Many think that my wife died during childbirth. However, my wife Adjo is very well. We decided that I will play an active parenting role, where I don’t leave all responsibilities to her. Yesterday, we discussed and agreed that I would bring our children to the clinic today, to enable her to go undertake some shopping for her trade.” Sadjo, a professional brick layer demonstrates that the care of children in a family is a shared responsibility by the couple. He reverses the cliché that the healthcare of children is solely a mother's issue, and gives a beautiful testimony of the need for male involvement in the health and well-being of the family. It is also interesting to note that Sadjo and his wife choose ATBEF's clinic for their health needs, because of their reputation as a service provider that offers quality and affordable services to all. *The French version of this story follows below. Joel Eklou is the Communication and Resource Mobilization Manager, The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook and Twitter **************************************************************************************************   Voilà pourquoi ce jeune papa a amené seul ses bébés à la clinique par Joel Eklou Une scène rare s’est produite très récemment à la clinique principale de l’Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) plus précisément dans son service de vaccination : dans la salle d’attente,  Sadjo, 32 ans s’amuse avec  ses jumeaux de 4 mois, Eli et Isaïe le temps qu’ils soient reçus par la Sage-Femme. Les regards et les murmures des autres patients continuaient à s’amplifier à la minute: « Où est la maman de ces bébés ? Comment peut-elle laisser le Papa seul amener les bébés à la clinique ? ». Mais  d'autres avaient des points de vue différents: " Un papa pas comme les autres ... Nous n'avons jamais vu un père comme lui, aussi engagé envers ses enfants ..." Très à l’aise et serein, Sadjo leur répond: " C’est un immense plaisir d’amener mes bébés à la clinique et c’est la 2ème fois que je le fais après l’accouchement des jumeaux. Beaucoup me regardent bizarrement aussi bien les femmes que les hommes tout au long du chemin qui m’a amené jusqu’à la clinique. Beaucoup pensent même que ma femme est décédée à l’accouchement alors que mon épouse Adjo va bien. Nous avons décidé que je joue pleinement mon rôle de parent en toute responsabilité sans laisser ma femme seule s’occuper des enfants.  Hier, nous nous sommes convenu qu’elle puisse vaquer aux achats pour son commerce et que moi, je les amène aujourd’hui à la clinique.” Sadjo, 32 ans, maçon-carreleur de profession démontre ainsi que la prise en charge familiale des enfants reste une affaire de couple et donc des deux conjoints.  Il renverse ainsi les clichés que prendre soin des enfants n’est pas seulement l’apanage des femmes et donne ainsi un beau témoignage sur l’engagement des hommes en matière de santé et de bien-être de la famille. Il est également intéressant de constater que Sadjo et sa femme ont choisi la clinique de l’ATBEF pour leur besoin en matière de santé en raison des services de qualité à couts abordables qui y sont offerts. Joël Eklou est le Responsable Communication et Mobilisation de Ressources, The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF)