IFPA Ireland – Women need information and rights about sexuality and reproductive health
by Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik, In the following a challenging interview with Alison Spillane, Project Office at IFPA, the Irish Family Planning Association in Ireland. We talked about the objectives and services IFPA offers to women, families, and young people. They also help asylum seekers and women who experienced FGM. I would like to thank Alison for her precious information.
What
is the main objective of IFPA?
is the main objective of IFPA?
The main objective of the IFPA is to enable people to
make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and to
understand their rights. The IFPA envisages an
Irish society where all people can enjoy a fulfilling sex life and can make
informed choices in their sexual and reproductive lives; where there is full
access to high quality information, education and health services regarding
sex, sexuality, conception, contraception, safe abortion and sexually
transmitted infections.
make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and to
understand their rights. The IFPA envisages an
Irish society where all people can enjoy a fulfilling sex life and can make
informed choices in their sexual and reproductive lives; where there is full
access to high quality information, education and health services regarding
sex, sexuality, conception, contraception, safe abortion and sexually
transmitted infections.
Which
are the services you offer to women and families?
are the services you offer to women and families?
The IFPA offers a comprehensive range of services
which promote sexual health and support reproductive choice on a not-for-profit
basis.
which promote sexual health and support reproductive choice on a not-for-profit
basis.
We provide medical services from our two clinics in
Dublin. Among the services we offer are: contraception advice and services;
emergency contraception, free cervical screening, sexually transmitted
infection (STI) screening and treatment; fertility advice; and menopause health
checks.
Dublin. Among the services we offer are: contraception advice and services;
emergency contraception, free cervical screening, sexually transmitted
infection (STI) screening and treatment; fertility advice; and menopause health
checks.
The IFPA provides pregnancy counselling services at
eleven centres nationwide. Our counselling services include free pregnancy
counselling, free post-abortion counselling, psychosexual therapy and generally
counselling/psychotherapy.
eleven centres nationwide. Our counselling services include free pregnancy
counselling, free post-abortion counselling, psychosexual therapy and generally
counselling/psychotherapy.
The IFPA also delivers contraceptive training to
medical professionals and sexual health training to service providers, young
people, parents and community groups.
medical professionals and sexual health training to service providers, young
people, parents and community groups.
ProMosaik thinks that in the field of sexual health there is an incredible need
for training. Tell us about your Graduate Certificate in Sexuality and Sexual
Health Education.
for training. Tell us about your Graduate Certificate in Sexuality and Sexual
Health Education.
The Graduate Certificate in Sexuality and Sexual
Health Education was launched in June 2016 and commences in September 2017. The
year-long programme is in response to the National Sexual Health Strategy
2015-2020, which recommends the development and provision of sexual health
training for education and healthcare professionals. As a leading sexual health
provider and expert, the IFPA formed a strategic partnership with Dublin City
University to develop and deliver the programme.
Health Education was launched in June 2016 and commences in September 2017. The
year-long programme is in response to the National Sexual Health Strategy
2015-2020, which recommends the development and provision of sexual health
training for education and healthcare professionals. As a leading sexual health
provider and expert, the IFPA formed a strategic partnership with Dublin City
University to develop and deliver the programme.
This programme is the first of its kind in Ireland and
provides an integrated and best practice approach to sexual health within a
quality assured framework at a third level institution. The IFPA has developed
innovative sexual health training for over ten years and has been actively
involved in the development of this programme. The programme content will focus
on developing knowledge regarding the diversity of sexualities and culture,
sexual health education and sexual health promotion, in addition to teaching
and learning about sexual health.
provides an integrated and best practice approach to sexual health within a
quality assured framework at a third level institution. The IFPA has developed
innovative sexual health training for over ten years and has been actively
involved in the development of this programme. The programme content will focus
on developing knowledge regarding the diversity of sexualities and culture,
sexual health education and sexual health promotion, in addition to teaching
and learning about sexual health.
Development of women means investing in girls all over the world. What is the
importance of this?
importance of this?
Investing in girls is crucial to enable them to reach
their full potential as adults and contribute to their country’s future. In the
context of sexual and reproductive health and rights, investment in this area
can transform a girls’ life. For example, if a girl’s sexual and reproductive
health and rights are respected, she will be protected from forced marriage,
female genital mutilation (FGM) and early pregnancy, allowing her to have a
safe and happy childhood and finish her education.
their full potential as adults and contribute to their country’s future. In the
context of sexual and reproductive health and rights, investment in this area
can transform a girls’ life. For example, if a girl’s sexual and reproductive
health and rights are respected, she will be protected from forced marriage,
female genital mutilation (FGM) and early pregnancy, allowing her to have a
safe and happy childhood and finish her education.
Why is
the information about sexual life so important for young people?
the information about sexual life so important for young people?
Information about sexual life is important for young
people to ensure they are in a position to make informed choices about their
sexual health and well-being and have the means to protect themselves from
unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
people to ensure they are in a position to make informed choices about their
sexual health and well-being and have the means to protect themselves from
unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What
about the importance of intercultural dialogue when you talk to people coming
from other cultures and religions?
about the importance of intercultural dialogue when you talk to people coming
from other cultures and religions?
In particular, the IFPA has a strong track record of
advocating for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women seeking
asylum in Ireland. These women come from a variety of different cultures and
religions. In 2009, the IFPA teamed up with AkiDwA (the national network of
African and migrant women living in Ireland) to develop a programme that would
inform women seeking asylum and refugees of the available sexual and
reproductive health services, empower women to exercise their rights to these
services and raise awareness among service providers of the barriers
experienced by women seeking asylum.
advocating for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women seeking
asylum in Ireland. These women come from a variety of different cultures and
religions. In 2009, the IFPA teamed up with AkiDwA (the national network of
African and migrant women living in Ireland) to develop a programme that would
inform women seeking asylum and refugees of the available sexual and
reproductive health services, empower women to exercise their rights to these
services and raise awareness among service providers of the barriers
experienced by women seeking asylum.
In 2014, the IFPA opened Ireland’s first FGM Treatment
Service, which provides free specialised medical care and counselling to women
and girls in Ireland who have experienced FGM. Clients who attend the clinic
can also avail of wider sexual and reproductive health services, including
cervical screening, breast examination, contraception advice, STI testing and
menopause check-ups. In order to increase awareness about the FGM Treatment
Service, the IFPA engages in outreach work with women from affected
communities, medical professionals and service providers such as community and
social workers and counsellors.
Service, which provides free specialised medical care and counselling to women
and girls in Ireland who have experienced FGM. Clients who attend the clinic
can also avail of wider sexual and reproductive health services, including
cervical screening, breast examination, contraception advice, STI testing and
menopause check-ups. In order to increase awareness about the FGM Treatment
Service, the IFPA engages in outreach work with women from affected
communities, medical professionals and service providers such as community and
social workers and counsellors.
