ëëë.acpd-al.org Albanian Center for Population and Development Annual Report 2014 Tirane, 1 2015
ALBANIAN CENTER FOR POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT. ACPD is established in January 1993 as non for profit organization. It is an accredited member of IPPF ( International Planned Parenthood Federation). ACPD works in the field of reproductive health and rights as well as for gender equality. It has a Governing Board composed of well known experts in the field of population, reproductive health and rights, social issues, statistics, gender issues etc. It has a permanent qualified staff of 11 members. It has two functional services centers, Aulona center in Vlora,, PO Center in Tirana. The centers offer services for women and young people as social counselling, legal counselling, reproductive health services, family planning and contraception. The centers serve as well as resource centers through offering training and publications. 2
MISSION ACPD works for the improvement of the health and wellbeing of all people in Albania, in particular vulnerable and marginalized groups, by: Advocating appropriate legislation and policies including the field of reproductive health; Raising awareness among the population, and groups at risk, in respect of healthy life styles and human rights; Eliminating barriers to equal participation of men and women in all aspects of economic, political, social life; Preventing gender based violence and human trafficking and providing protection to the survivors of violence; Promoting and providing equal access to quality information, affordable services and supplies and education, in particular for young people and vulnerable groups. 3
4 WE WORK : - Through lobbing and advocacy. - For the improvement of legislation. - Through offering successful models of services. - Cooperating with other NGOs and national and international partners. - International lobbing and sustainable partners.
5 VISION ACPD envisions Albania, a country where every person makes free, informed and responsible choices in respect of social, physical, mental well-being and health, enjoys human rights and equal access to appropriate information and services including reproductive health and rights. ACPD is recognised by its stakeholders for its role in making that happen throughout Albania and internationaly.
6 PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 2014
7 LISTOF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 2014 Access to SRH services for Tirana and Shkodra by 2015 (2013-2015) IPPF 5A Making it happen: Advancing provision of YFS & comprehensive, MTR CHOICE-IPPF Youth for Change in Tirana and Vlora Extended integrated HIV services by 2015 in Shkodra Tirana, Vlora-IPPF 5A Youth Voices from Albania-UNFPA Enhancing YFS in Albania by boosting youth HCP capacities by 2016/ UNFPA VISION 2020 IPPF Improving the health of women in Albania by 2015 - IPPF 5A Reducing gender-based violence - IPPF Branch Paving the way for policies in favor of quality SRHR for young people January 2013- December 2016 Mobilizing women for community development Olof Palme International Center January 2012- December 2015 Moving priorities of ICPD agenda forward supported by IPPF Parliamentarians committed to addressing the issues of Population and Development (UNFPA) Gender biased sex selection cases reduced in Albania supported by UNFPA
Access to SRH services for Tirana and Shkodra by 2015 (2013-2015) IPPF 5A January 2013-December 2015 IPPF Goal: Women and young people in Tirana, Shkodra districts have access and are benefiting from high quality SRH services Objective 1 To increase knowledge about SHRH issues for women on reproductive age for Tirana region by KAP survey by the end of 2013 Objective 2 Monitoring and Evaluation Objective 3 Improve the quality of care and access to SRHR services offered by state health care centers by building capacities of service providers in Tirana district Objective 4 Increasing access to SRH services offered by center PO and Trokitje and by the state health care providers ACTIVITIES A total of 4 visits were carried out by program manager of ACPD Two introductory meetings with Public Health Directorates in Tirana and Shkodra One meeting with the representatives of the Directorate of Student City in Tirana On three day training on "Integrated SRH services and human rights One three day training with 20 service providers of Student City A total of 5 one day seminars Two ACPD centers (Tirana and Vlora) continued to offer gender sensitive and SRH services that are oriented toward right based approach Two of one day workshops 8
9 Access to SRH services for Tirana and Shkodra by 2015 (2013-2015) IPPF 5A January 2013-December 2015 IPPF RESULTS: 4 monitoring visits were carried out. Two introductory meetings with Public Health Directorates in were carried out in Tirana and Shkodra. One meeting was organized with Directorate of Students city in Tirana. 20 HCP were trained to build their capacities. 20 service providers of Student city were trained. 5 one day seminars were organized. Two ACPD centers continue to offer gender sensitive and SRH services that are oriented toward right based approach. Two one day workshops with 40 participants from Student city in Tirana and Shkodra on SRH services.
Making it happen: Advancing provision of YFS & comprehensive, MTR CHOICE-IPPF January 2014 - June 2014 Goal: Advancing provision of YFS and comprehensive, youth-friendly, gendersensitive sexuality education in Albania Objective 1 Improving provision of youth friendly services through public health sector in rural areas of Tirana, Vlora by building capacities of local health care providers and raising awareness of young people about their SRHR. Objective 2 Fostering the implementation of CSE in schools of Albania by lobbing to the MoE to work on development of systems for implementation and monitoring. ACTIVITIES Meetings with Public Health Directorates in Tirana and Vlora Need assessment in selected areas ToT Training on YFS Conducting educational sessions on CSE with young people in Tirana, Vlora and districts with a focus on rural areas Rolling out the CSE assessment tool (CSERAT) to support the review and strengthening of CSE programmes Round table with decision makers to advance the work towards the implementation of CSE Two articles on a national newspaper 10
Making it happen: Advancing provision of YFS & comprehensive, MTR CHOICE-IPPF January 2014 - June 2014 RESULTS: The service providers improved the skills and knowledge to better deliver YFS and how to respect young people needs. The target audience identified an integrated package of essential sexual and reproductive services (IPES) that should be provided by health institutions. The CSE session enabled young students (according to their feedback) to feel free and openly communicate with parents about sexuality and to ask for services when they would need them. This was linked with training of service providers in order to prepare them to welcome youth to overcome their bias and provide free of stigma SRH services. The In &Out tool was used to evaluate the existing of SE and further will be used for other modules development. Client exit interviews conducted at the clinics and/or evaluation forms used during behavior change and communication activities have indicated that some of young people, who attended such activities, have had as information source media articles published under this project. 11
Making it happen: Advancing provision of YFS & comprehensive, MTR CHOICE-IPPF January 2014 - June 2014 12
Youth for Change in Tirana and Vlora Goal: : All young people in Albania are aware of their sexual and reproductive rights, are empowered to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health and are able to act on those decisions. Project Objectives: Objective 1: To increase the number of young people with access to an essential package of youth-friendly services in Tirana, Vlora and their surrounding areas Objective 2: To increase access to comprehensive, gender-sensitive, rightsbased sexuality education Objective 3: To influence policy change that prioritizes the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people within national health systems ACTIVITIES Offering the integrated package of YFS services in Tirana, Vlora, clinics Improve the referral system to reach most from the vulnerable groups Offering YFS services through mobile clinics in rural areas Offering male counseling through the ACPD website Peer counseling services Outreach meetings (educational and informative) Recreational and promotional activities from two centres Involve young people from key population in the design, implementation, and monitoring the project by young people Improving the existing MoE curricula with It s All One curriculum components for school years 5-9 (partially funded by UNFPA) Providing comprehensive sexual education in and out of schools Support to teachers to implement the CSE in four pilot schools (monitoring visits 2x2 in two districts). FGD with young people and teachers on their feedback for CSE. 13
Youth for Change in Tirana and Vlora TV and radio programs on the importance of comprehensive sexual education and to increase the visibility of ACPD as leader in SRH field in project areas and broader Publication of case studies Publishing of the newsletter Adolescent Boosting the national youth network through meetings and youth forums Documentary for the project Youth can do it. Choices and Opportunities 2011-2014 Challenges, Achievements, the Future conference 14
Youth for Change in Tirana and Vlora RESULTS: Offering the integrated package of YFS services in Tirana, Vlora, clinics Improve the referral system to reach most from the vulnerable groups Offering YFS services through mobile clinics in rural areas Offering male counseling through the ACPD website Peer counseling services Outreach meetings (educational and informative) in two cities and their surroundings Recreational events Youth events on the occasion of International Days Improving the existing MoE curricula with It s All One curriculum components for school years 5-9 (partially funded by UNFPA) Providing comprehensive sexual education in and out of schools Support to teachers to implement the CSE in four pilot schools 15
Youth for Change in Tirana and Vlora FGD with young people and teachers on their feedback for CSE. TV and radio programs on the importance of comprehensive sexual education and Publication of case studies Publishing of the newsletter Adolescent Boosting the national youth network through meetings and youth forums. Documentary for the project Youth can do it. Choices and Opportunities 2011-2014 Challenges, Achievements, the Future conference Refresher training for service providers, staff, and volunteers on YFS and sexual rights Training of staff in mainstream services to reduce stigma and prejudices against vulnerable groups Workshops on transformative approaches (e.g. stepping stones) with young staff and young people Public Speaking 16
Extended integrated HIV services by 2015 in Shkodra Tirana, Vlora-IPPF 5A Goal: Enhancing highest quality services on integrated HIV at health care units in the commune level in Tirana, Shkodra and Vlora by 2015 Objectives: To enhance quality of integrated HIV services at commune level by health care providers at health care units in Tirana by end of 2014 To increase demand for HIV and SRH services and to change harmful social, cultural and gender norms, which are a barrier to SRH and the HIV response ACTIVITIES Training of Family doctors and nurses on integrated HIV services Provision of general outreach and education to the community Workshop with young people in schools in Tirana district Development and dissemination of an educational and promotional Video Offering HIV services in ACPD centers 17
Extended integrated HIV services by 2015 in Shkodra Tirana, Vlora- IPPF 5A Training of Family doctors and nurses on integrated HIV services Provision of general outreach and education to the community Workshop with young people in schools in Tirana district Development and dissemination of an educational and promotional Video Offering HIV services in ACPD centers 18
Youth Voices from Albania-UNFPA Goal: Young people in Albania are mobilized to bring their voice and advocate for their priorities related to the post 2015 agenda Objective: Provide a forum for young people to voice their concerns and needs, and exchange information about the post 2015 development agenda process. Objective: To promote YFS standards in country ACTIVITIES Consultation workshops Final meeting and recommendations on youth priorities Visual products 19
20 Enhancing YFS in Albania by boosting youth HCP capacities by 2016/ UNFPA Goal: Young people in Albania (in 12 districts) are aware of their sexual and reproductive rights, are empowered to freely access sexual reproductive health services by 2016 Objective: To promote YFS standards in country ACTIVITIES Review of the whole toolkit on YFS rolled out in the frame of this project
Results Review of the whole toolkit on YFS rolled out in the frame of this project The Guidelines on Sexual Reproductive Health Youth Friendly Services and the Manual on YFS for health care providers were reviewed by a working group consisting of 3 people - well recognized experts in the area of SRHR/HIV/AIDS and Gender. 21
VISION 2020 IPPF March 2014 - December 2014 Goal: Ensuring sensitization and promotion of VIZION 2020 objectives to take actions on sexual reproductive health and rights in Albania Objective 1 Ensuring sensitization and promotion of Vision 2020 objectives to take actions on SRHR in Albania Objective 2 Promotion of Vision 2020 objectives on SRH during the year 2013 ACTIVITIES Meeting with staff about Vision 2020 Translation and adaption of the Action Pack Communication VISION 2020 banner (and photo frames) Global Day of Action & Launch of petition Delivery of copies of Vision 2020 to 20 parliamentarians and local decision makers 22
VISION 2020 IPPF March 2014 - December 2014 Results ACPD staff and volunteers were introduced and supported the IPPF Vision 2020 On MAY 13th, ACPD managed to reach 150 people who participated in the Launching of Campaign "I decide" and numerous photos in the Vision 2020 frame were taken and postcards with the 10 objectives were disseminated. The support of some key officials and parliamentarians made the campaign more effective 23
Improving the health of women in Albania by 2015 - IPPF 5A January 2013-December 2015 Goal: To protect the health of women in Albania (including adolescents and vulnerable women) through strengthening the abortion care system by 2015 Objective 1 To improve abortion care through introducing and implementation of the Safe Abortion guidances (IPPF and WHO) in health system in Albania by 2015 Objective 2 To raise awareness amongst public on Safe abortion by 2015 Objective 3 To ensure access to rights-based, participatory, clinically safe and appropriate abortion services for young women in clinics of ACPD by 2015 Activities 40 health care providers from Durres and Fier were trained on Safe abortion topic 40 participants took part on one day workshops organized in Durres and Fier A TV program was organized with tha aim to raise awareness among young women on the importance of accessing safe abortion services and the necessity of reducing abortion stigma. 350 people were reached directly with IEC materials and condoms on 26th 28th of September Four education sessions, (around 120 young people participated in them) Youth center PO organized an awareness campaign An article was published in a national newspaper called Health newspaper Ten community based sessions were delivered in rural areas of Petrela, Kashar, Baldushk, Ndroq, Mullet Tirana and Novosela, Dukat, Tragjas, Akerni, Panaja villages - Vlora. 3 meetings were held by ACPD with representatives of the Ministry of Health. 24
Reducing gender-based violence - IPPF Branch January 2013- December 2015 Goal: Gender based violence is reduced in the districts of Fier, Durres, Pogradec, Shkodra, Vlora and Tirana, Elbasan Objective 1. To enhance the skills of the health care and future health care providers in the targeted areas to respond appropriately to survivors experiencing gender based violence as an important health issue. Objective 2. To raise public awareness and knowledge on GBV and its impact on reproductive health outcome in the districts of Fier and Durres among women and young girls and boys who constitute the most vulnerable groups, in order to ensure their access to safe, effective services. Outcomes of Activities: 65 health care providers and future health care providers were trained on approaching issues related to GBV. Three Awareness campaigns were organized on the international dates in the areas of Shkodra,Vlora and Pogradec with focus on gender and its linkages with RH on the16 days of Activism November 25- December 10 6 media articles were written by an expert in the field on GBV 1000 leaflets and 100 posters were designed for the purpouse of this project and distributed on the activities organized by ACPD. 25
Paving the way for policies in favor of quality SRHR for young people January 2013- December 2016 Goal: Young people and vulnerable groups in Albania have improved access to high quality SRHR services Objective 1. to improve the governmental commitment (national and local level) in improving the regulatory framework and implement interventions in the field of SRHR by end of 2016 Objective 2. Strengthen the capacity of Civil Society (CS) to influence the policy and decision-making processes on SRHR issues in Albania by the end of 2014 Outcomes of Activities: 4 meetings were organized respectively in Tirana, Durres, Kukes, Vlore 4 meetings were organized with representatives of various organizations of civil society, active and with experience in the region of Tirana, Korca, Elbasan and Shkodra 27 participants took part in a workshop organized by ACPD 3 Year ACPD Advocacy Staregy was developed and diseminated 26
Mobilizing women for community development Olof Palme International Center January 2012- December 2015 GOAL: Poor and under-represented people, especially women, will have greater influence on decisions and policies which affect their lives Objectives: 1- Enhance the capacities of local authorities to deliver services that address the specific needs and interests of women and men in the community, which requires engendered economic development, development planning and allocation of resources. 2- To promote the voices of poor and under represented citizens, especially women, in order to increase local government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to the citizens. 3 - Increase commitment of all stakeholders especially women groups, NGOs and political parties to establish constant cooperation among them and influence the political agendas and decisions of the local government in favor of citizens and mobilize the citizens especially women as a constituency in the national and local elections 27
Mobilizing women for community development Olof Palme International Center January 2012- December 2015 II- Activities Score Cards Activities ( 6 fokus grup discussion with community, 6 fokus grup discussions with local officials and three open debate between community and local officials) Monitoring of the municipality and commune government and councils activities related to the recommendations from the survey results and women forums. PB Conselors Commission established and meetings Women s forums Training of women activists Workshops on the gender equality law, law against domestic violence, electoral law and local government representatives A fair in Orikum city on traditional cuisine and handicrafts TV programs to documents women models and present men and women concerns Meegings with the local NGOs members of the coalition Meetings with the political parties Conference on the results of the Score Cards activity ACPD webpage will reflect the project activities E newsletter 28
Mobilizing women for community development Olof Palme International Center January 2012- December 2015 Score Cards Activities ( 6 focus group discussion with community, 6 focus group discussions with local officials and three open debate between community and local officials) Monitoring of the municipality and commune government and councils activities related to the recommendations from the survey results and women forums. PB Conselors Commission established and meetings Women s forums 64 citizens participated in the nine regular meetings of women s forums in the three project areas, Training of women activists Workshops on the gender equality law, law against domestic violence, electoral law and local government representatives A fair in Orikum city on traditional cuisine and handicrafts TV programs to documents women models and present men and women concerns Meetings with the local NGOs members of the coalition Meetings with the political parties Conference on the results of the Score Cards activity 29
Moving priorities of ICPD agenda forward supported by IPPF Objectives : Increase collaboration and outreach to other organizations/networks to counter opposition and reposition SRHR and population dynamics, Develop and implement a national action plan on how to advance the ICPD PoA and ensure its integration in the Post 2015 framework at national and regional level. Outcomes of activities: 35 participants attended the workshop held on the development and implementation of National Action Plans on ICPD PoA/Post 2015 30 representatives of the government and NGOs contributed with their suggestions and comments after the presentation of the Advocacy Action Plan in the Round Table The Challenges of Albanian related to the Plan of Action of the ICPD beyond 2014. ACPD continued to advocate for human rights including gender equality and sexual and reproductive health also by sending its representatives to the 47 th session of Commission for Population and Development as part of the Albanian Government Delegation. A representative from ACPD and its partner organization Center for Legal Civic Initiatives participated in the Beijing +20 regional review, held in Geneva from 6-7 November 2014 30
Moving priorities of ICPD agenda forward supported by IPPF 31
Parliamentarians committed to addressing the issues of Population and Development (UNFPA) Project Objective: The Parliamentary Group of Population playing a crucial role for the issues of people and development. Outcomes of Activities Publication of the Alternative Report of NGOs on Reproductive Health Situation in the Country 20 participants representative of the government and NGOs participated in the Round table where it was promoted the Alternative Report ACPD representative participated in two Hearing Session with the Committee of Social Welfare and Health. Representatives of the Informal Parliamentary Group on Population and Development 32
Gender biased sex selection cases reduced in Albania supported by UNFPA Objectives Promote positive discrimination models and increase government intervention to extend support to girls. Educate and train health professionals about their responsibilities in the growing sex imbalances at birth. Activities Compilation and publication of the Communication strategy and Action Plan 2015-2017 to Address Gender Biased Sex Selection Publication of about 1000 leaflets addressed to the community and titled : Why will daughters go missing 60 health care providers, from Tirana, and Vlora districts participated in the workshop conducted on the issue of gender biased sex selection. 33
Gender biased sex selection cases reduced in Albania supported by UNFPA 34
35 LEKE IPPF 21724554 UNFPA 8740750 Olof Palme 3795649 ACPD 960200 IPPF UNFPA Olof Palme ACPD