Governance & Leadership
Governance and Voluntarism in FGAE FGAE, a registered Ethiopian Residents Charity, is committed to enabling underserved and vulnerable populations, with particular focus on adolescents and youth, to accesses sexual and reproductive health (SRH) by ensuring quality, integrated and comprehensive SRH services.
As a volunteer-based organization with a broad-based, democratically elected governing structure comprised of the General Assembly and Executive Board, the Association mobilizes the support of communities towards achieving its goal of creating healthy and productive community by investing on the sexual and reproductive health needs of the society. The dedicated commitment of volunteers is the base upon which the FGAE was founded and continues to be a major source of the Association strength, influence and inspiration.
A volunteer in FGAE shares the Association mission, vision and values and offers his or her time, knowledge, skills and experience free-of-charge. Volunteers do so with the aim of making a difference in their community and improving the sexual and reproductive health and well-being of the people the Association exists to serve.
FGAE currently has 19,311 volunteers. Throughout the country, FGAE is working with different partners including Ministry of health, government and non-governmental organizations and private sectors.FGAE is proud of its status as the leading voluntary non-governmental Association devoted entirely to the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and services.
FGAE volunteers have significantly contributed to the advancement of SRH services in the country. They have participated in various advocacy processes at the local, regional and international levels, which have had a positive impact on the growth and development of the Association. These volunteers, driven by their passion and great humanitarian spirit, have among others: initiated and led processes of the development of the Association, championed for changes in restrictive and prohibitive laws, facilitated access to improved sexual reproductive health information and services, and helped FGAE in the acquisition of assets such as land and facilities from governments.
The tasks for volunteers within FGAE may include but are not limited to: fundraising, distribution and delivery of contraceptives and other health services in the community, peer education, awareness creation and advocacy. In the capacity they choose to serve in, it is the responsibility of FGAE to ensure that these individual contributions are effective, appreciated, acknowledged and recognized.
The time volunteers invest in FGAE work depends on the role they undertake and the needs of FGAE. While some offer their voluntary services daily, others volunteer for a few hours a week, or even for one-off events and activities. Some volunteers may wish to contribute their efforts at the local community level, while others get elected to governing bodies to influence policymaking, future programs and areas of work. Each volunteer, however, has a significant role to play -no matter how big or small. The principle of volunteerism, which is at the heart of FGAE work, remains of utmost importance.
