Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia

Norwegian Parliamentarians Study Tour to Ethiopia

Norway is a country, fully committed to the reproductive health paradigm for population activities. Fundamental to the ICPD Program of Action is the position of women and their individual needs as the starting point for population activities. Fertility reduction or curbing population growth is not considered to be the main justification for population activities. The empowerment of women, the assurance of reproductive rights, the importance of education for women and girls, access to health care and mutual respect in sexual relations are key factors in enabling women to make their reproductive choices.

Based on this, the Norwegian Parliamentarians All-Party Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights showed great interest to visit Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia SRH activities and expressed their interest in organizing a Parliamentarians study tour in March 2011 in collaboration with Internationals Planned Parent Hood Federation (IPPF). FGAE is one of the IPPF member countries that were nominated to be visited by the parliamentarian group from March 3—7, 2011.FGAE is a national organization with a reputation and good track record of achievements in the delivery of a wide range of reproductive health services in Ethiopia. It is acknowledged for implementing integrated RH services through a framework that provides reproductive health services of high quality and facilitates reaching out into rural areas, and is recognized as one of the leading family planning organization by major stakeholders. It is also recognized as the initiator and leading organization for youth friendly services.

During their stay they visited Fistula Hospital, FGAE different SRH clinics, outreach and Project site visit in and around Addis Ababa, Youth-friendly SRH Project (Sheger), Nazareth Palliative Care & Urban gardening Project, , MoH Health Post in Rural setting and Ghandi Hospital, and they had a meeting with the Norwegian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Minister of Health, UNFPA, Population Secretariat Liaising Office(MOFED/PAD), EU Delegation to Ethiopia/EU Delegation to the AU, and finally with Ethiopian Social Affairs Standing Committee parliamentarian members. They discussed on the sexual and reproductive health policy and situation of Ethiopia, UNFPA’s Ethiopia’s Program in Ethiopia, partnership/relationship of the Government with other stake holders in the area of Safe mother hood services and on different SRH situation and activities of FGAE.

Sound effects of the Visit:

The Norwegian Parliamentarian members came to know the key role played by Ethiopian Government, Different NGOs and stakeholders in achieving the health MDGs and MDG5 in particular.
They realized as there is still a strong need to emphasize on family planning and young people as a critical component in maternal health, as it is Systemic problems remain that prevent women, men and young people from accessing reproductive health supplies.
They shared their experiences and beliefs, as women and men must participate in family planning and should have knowledge of reproductive health to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality through effective interventions.
They encouraged the measurable progress towards improving the health of all women, men and young people should be kept up.

Finally surprised how the Ethiopian health policy is implemented at the grass root and higher level and promised to support Ethiopia in the area of SRH services by focussing in achieving the health MDG 5 via the International donors.