El Salvador - Foro Nacional de Salud
Morena is the coordinator at Foro Nacional de Salud in El Salvador, a social, community-oriented movement that campaigns for the right to health and better health policy. Foro Nacional de Salud fights for sexual and reproductive rights and health, including the right to abortion. This is under particular pressure in El Salvador, where there is a total ban on abortion. The work of Foro Nacional de Salud is hampered by the lack of democracy and the shrinking space for civil society in El Salvador. The government is doing everything it can to thwart organisations like Morena's. That is why international solidarity across borders is so important. It was an inspiring conversation and a call for a joint struggle for freedom of choice.
Oeganda - RHU
Reproductive health Uganda is committed to serving the entire population. They help mothers to conceive and give birth safely, distribute contraceptives and information about reproductive health, and prevent the unchecked spread of HIV and other STIs.
Their biggest obstacle is the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which makes it very difficult for them to provide HIV prevention, HIV treatment and other care for people within the LGBT+ community. As HIV is still stigmatised, gay men often lose access to HIV medication when their sexual orientation is persecuted. This can lead to higher mortality rates and new infections.
Mozambique - YAM
Angelina Langa is committed to reproductive health and rights in Mozambique as a youth representative. The work is close to her heart. When she started, there were no laws against child marriage and there was a law that did not allow pregnant girls to go to school. This makes it even more difficult for these children, as these teenage girls, who were often already victims of child marriage, become even more isolated and have to rely entirely on their husbands. They no longer have any chance of a better future.
Thanks to the work of YAM and others, this law was abolished and a law was introduced to protect young girls from child marriage. Girls are no longer left to fend for themselves and, even if they do become pregnant, they are now allowed to complete their education and have more opportunities in later life.
Burkina Faso - ABBEF
ABBEF is the largest provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare in Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, their work is hampered by unsafe and uncertain conditions. One of their greatest successes is that they have managed to include contraception in the country's general and private healthcare services.