Meet our new Empower to Plan partners
Unsubscribe [1]
View in your browser [2]
Dear John,
We are excited to let you know about our new Empower to Plan crowdfunding
project with Family Medical Point [3].
Family Medical Point (FMP) is a not-for-profit grassroots healthcare
provider that aims to end the stigma and gender-based violence surrounding
the use of family planning services in the slums and fishing communities of
Abaita Ababiri, Uganda. Gender-based violence associated with the uptake of
family planning, and directed towards girls and women, remains a silent
evil in many parts of Uganda, often meted by male partners who are against
contraception.
Since its launch in 2017, FMP has successfully rolled out family planning
services to the communities it works with through a central medical
facility, alongside pop-up outreach facilities, that provide sexual and
reproductive healthcare (SRH) and education. FMP has also empowered local
women by training them to deliver services. However, the volunteers and
staff at FMP know all too well the repercussions that many women and girls
face when they try to access family planning services.
_Content Warning: Please be aware that the personal stories below mention
sexual and domestic violence. Names have been changed to protect the
survivors. Family Medical Point and its clients have given consent for the
use of their stories._
Joelia's Story
Joelia is a sexual assault survivor who was forcibly married as a child.
Her husband paid little attention to her and their children’s wellbeing.
Joelia was worried about the possibility of conceiving another child which
would affect her ability to run her small business. When she heard about
the family planning services offered by Family Medical Point, she decided
to get an implant.
Joelia thought her worries had come to an end but when she told her husband
about the implant, he reacted violently, and with his male friends, cut the
implant out of Joelia’s arm. He beat Joelia so badly that she had to
spend two weeks in hospital.
Mary's Story
Mary’s dream to become a teacher was shattered when she was just 13 years
old - a man raped her and her life was altered forever. On top of the
trauma, Mary was infected with HIV and became pregnant.
Mary is now 17 and one of the young volunteers working with Family Medical
Point to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for
women and young people in hard-to-reach communities and slums.
_“I have regained my lost hope. Volunteering with Family Medical Point
has enabled me to refocus my purpose and I feel more empowered to reclaim
what I lost.”_
FMP now has an ambitious two-part programme for change. They aim to train
20 on-the-ground peer educators - both women and men - to deliver SRH
workshops and contraceptives within slums and fishing communities. The
workshops will embed messaging designed to educate men about gender
equality and remove the stigma surrounding the use of family planning
services. The second part of the programme will include the production of a
radio drama show that will depict empowered female characters, consensual
relationships, and the safe use of family planning services.
With your help, FMP can continue to help improve the lives of women like
Joelia and Mary. Your contribution will help ensure women in these
communities can safely access and use family planning services, and fight
to end the stigma that endangers women and girls every day.
DONATE NOW [3]
_"Hope regained, I can now plan well.”_
- Mary, Volunteer at Family Medical Point
Thank you,
Population Matters & Family Medical Point
135-137 Station Road, London E4 6AG, UK
Registered company no 3019081, Charity 1114109
© 2020 Population Matters
[4] [5] [6] [7]
Links:
------
[1] [link removed]
[2] [link removed]
[3] [link removed]
[4] [link removed]
[5] [link removed]
[6] [link removed]
[7] [link removed]
