Annual Report 2009
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Annual Report 2009 Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (Formerly known as Federation of Family Planning Associations, Malaysia) Our Guiding Principles ● The Federation is a not-for-prot organization ● The Federation is not and shall not be controlled by commercial interests and that all its income, commodities, property and other assets shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its objectives ● The Federation will ensure that Member Associations’ family planning, sexual and reproductive health information and services shall be provided strictly on the basis of voluntary acceptance and informed choice ● The Federation will ensure that Member Associations do not permit coercion of any form in family planning programmes Our Vision To be an eective, caring and self-reliant NGO in the eld of population, family planning and sexual and reproductive health Our Mission To improve the status of sexual and reproductive health in Malaysia within a strong and resilient family system Patron DYMM Raja Permaisuri Perak Darul Ridzuan Tuanku Bainun Mohamad Ali, DK Contents Message from President 2 Message from Chairman 4 Honorary Secretary-General’s Report 6 Officials of FRHAM 9 Committees and Honorary Officials 10 Representation in Other Agencies 11 FRHAM Secretariat Staff 12 FRHAM Organizational Structure 13 Access 14 Adolescents/Young People 17 Advocacy 20 AIDS/HIV 22 Abortion 24 Support Strategies 25 Major Events 28 Service Statistics 32 Financial Overview 34 Financial Statements 35 State Member Associations 53 Glossary 54 Federation Of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia ANNUAL REPORT 2009 1 MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT On 20 January 2009, we received the official approval from the Registrar of Societies to change the name of the Fed- eration to “Federation of Reproductive Health Associa- tions, Malaysia (FRHAM)”. It is our vision that the name change will reflect our renewed commitment to the sexual and reproductive health of every individual. 2009 has passed so fast that we had hardly noticed it poverty, cannot be achieved if reproductively health is not indicating that we have been so busy that we forgot time addressed – poor reproductive health and limited access to passed so quickly that another year is already here. However, basic reproductive health services are obstacles to achieving I am so pleased to have this opportunity to say a few words the MDGs. And this means we need to continue the for the Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, efforts of promoting and increasing investments in Malaysia (FRHAM)’s 2009 Annual Report. reproductive health, including family planning. First of all, congratulations to YBhg Dato’ Sri Shahrizat The world has come a long way over the past 30 years. Abdul Jalil and YBhg Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun on Although Malaysia has achieved commendable results in their appointments as the Minister and Deputy Minister of achieving the MDGs, particularly in the reduction of infant, Women, Family and Community Development respectively, child and maternal mortality; the challenge to improve access as well as to Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin for her to reproductive health services including family planning appointment as the Deputy Minister of Health. remains. There is a large unmet need for family planning and other reproductive health services, particularly among Having been involved with the Federation since the 1980s, the marginalized communities including the refugees, sex I am delighted to witness the tremendous change that the workers, disadvantaged young people as well as the urban Federation experienced over the last three decades. From and rural poor. an organization working on the prevention of unwanted pregnancies with family planning services and promoting FRHAM understands that the refugees in Malaysia are responsible parenthood, we have progressed to advocate, severely disadvantaged; they are living under difficult promote and provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive conditions. FRHAM believes that providing reproductive health and rights to women, men, young people, the health access, especially family planning services, for them underserved and the marginalized – in other words, universal to plan their pregnancies will enable them to have healthier access to reproductive health education, information, and families. By taking up the challenge to improve the reproductive services. health and rights of refugee communities with funding provided by the Japan Trust Fund through International FRHAM recognized the centrality of reproductive health Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), FRHAM hopes that to the overall attainment of the Millennium Development the ability for them to choose whether and when to have Goals (MGDs). The MDGs, particularly the eradication of children can ease the burden of these disadvantaged families. Federation Of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia Federation Of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2009 ANNUAL REPORT 2009 3 MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT Various factors lead to risky sexual and reproductive health behaviour, especially among unmarried young people. They include the lack of sexual and reproductive health information and education, as well as the lack of accessible sexual and reproductive health services. Young people need comprehensive sexuality education to enable them to acquire the knowl- edge and skills to make the right choices that are appropriate to their needs. They are also the need for user-friendly sexual and reproductive health services to avoid risky sexual practices that can result in unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. FRHAM has been working tirelessly in these two areas and our reputation for working with young people has been recognised with new projects funded by Chevron Malaysia Limited and the Dutch Govern- ment’s SALIN Plus fund through IPPF. In our aim to be inclusive, we have broadened our reach to those who have been marginalised. Among the most margin- alised, the sex workers have been found to be not accessing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, including HIV prevention. At FRHAM, we strive to provide non-judgmental services at all times, including affirming the rights of sex workers to accessing and receive these services. To us, improving the access of sexual and reproductive health services, including HIV prevention, will ultimately contribute to the achievement of the 6th MDG of combating and reducing HIV/ AIDS incidents in Malaysia. On 20 January 2009, we received the official approval from the Registrar of Societies to change the name of the Federa- tion to “Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (FRHAM)”. It is our vision that the name change will reflect our renewed commitment to the sexual and reproductive health of every individual. My deep appreciation goes to our donors and partners, especially IPPF, United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD), the National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB/LPPKN) as well as many other private and non-governmental organizations who have continued to support and invest in our programmes. Finally, let me conclude by expressing my heartfelt thanks to the National Council members, the various committee mem- bers, the entire team of staff at FRHAM, as well as volunteers and staff at all the State Member Associations, for your stead- fast dedication and commitment which have contributed immensely to the performance and achievements throughout the year of 2009. Under these challenging economic times, to continue to get external funding is excellent work. It shows the appreciation of the quality work a donor can expect from FRHAM. With this, I encourage all of you to continue with the excellent work in ensuring many more successes in the coming years. Thank you. Dato’ Jaffar Indot President Federation Of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia Federation Of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2009 ANNUAL REPORT 2009 3 MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN 2009 marked the year the Federation embarked on many new projects, many of these stemming from our involvement in the underserved and marginalized communities. It has been our be- lief that sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and rights of men and women of all ages and walks of life must be met as the country progressed to a developed status. Effective from 28 January 2009, the Federation of Family zone” of providing services to the local communities, to Planning Associations, Malaysia (FFPAM) has changed its serving those with vastly different cultures who speak name to the Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, languages foreign to us. Coupled with teething problems Malaysia (FRHAM). This change of name does not mean at the beginning of the project, frustration was a regular that we are turning our back on family planning programmes. occurrence. At those times, it was the dedication and Instead, we are embracing a broader reproductive health passion of the staff that kept the project going; and I must perspective, one that not only emphasizes satisfying the put on record FRHAM’s appreciation to them, as it was unmet needs for family planning, but also includes other through their perseverance that we managed to bridge dimensions such as gender equity, reproductive rights, the language gap, to gain trust and support