Adolescent and Young People

Young people are most vulnerably exposed to, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, STI/HIV infection and sexual violence. Because of lack of access to comprehensive youth friendly SRH information and services as well as various harmful traditional practices related to sexuality, the majority of young people and adolescents in Ethiopia are unable to exercise their SRH rights.

Access

Expanding access to reproductive health services is a key program in FGAE’s work. FGAE strives to ensure continued access to high quality services, and aims to effectively address existing gaps in service delivery, as well as the needs of non-fee paying clients. In doing so, it seeks to identify new and innovative mechanisms to provide services to high-risk population groups with special needs. It also works to develop a model of quality SRH services to effectively address the growing needs of its target populations. In this new perspective, the Association will work towards enhancing its contribution in the national development endeavor by promoting strategic partnership; subcontracting services and providing necessary technical support to local partners.

HIV/AIDS

FGAE has developed a promising track record of accomplishments in HIV prevention efforts. FGAE plans to strengthen its contribution towards preventing and controlling the epidemic. Focusing on reducing taboos, misconceptions, social and cultural barriers that place particular groups at increased vulnerability, FGAE projects to take part in the national level integration and coordination of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support services.

Abortion/Safe Motherhood

Unsafe abortion contributes to about 54% of all direct obstetric deaths in Ethiopia. There is an increasing trend in the incidence of adolescent pregnancy contributing to more than 30% of the death arising from illegal abortion. The Ministry of Health reported that abortion is one of the top ten reasons for hospital admission, accounting for nearly 60% of gynecological and almost 30% of all obstetric admissions. FGAE has been providing contraceptive services, including emergency contraception, and comprehensive post abortion care through its network of clinics and referral linkages. Safe motherhood is a crucial health issue in the Ethiopian context, wherein maternal mortality rate is the highest in the world. FGAE contributes to reduce maternal mortality rate by providing services like mother and child care to the underserved community through its various service outlets.

Advocacy

Strong advocacy effort is required to promote SRH rights targeting national and regional governments, policy makers, development partners and key opinion leaders to ensure sustained commitment through research-based, high-impact advocacy that demonstrates the synergy between SRHR and the wider development agenda. Three of the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] relate directly to sexual and reproductive health issues. It is critical to demonstrate the relationship between lack of focus on SRH and rising poverty through effective advocacy effort.

Institutional Strategies

FGAE has gone through series of institutional development stages to assume its present state of national significance in the promotion and expansion of sexual and reproductive health services, complementing governmental efforts. To achieve its vision, in addition to the 5As, it also plans to strengthen the Association’s internal potential for better management of programs. This is manifested in the FGAE’s plan to improve its potential in governance, resource mobilization, capacity building and knowledge management and marketing.