Articles about Togo

Le gouvernement togolais seul ne peut pas venir à bout du coronavirus (COVID-9). C’est dans ce sens que l’Association Togolaise pour le Bien-être familial (ATBEF) à part les actions de  sensibilisations qu’elle organise sur les réseaux sociaux, dépêche une équipe de sensibilisation depuis lundi 30 mars au sein de la population pour lutter contre la propagation de la maladie. Togotopnews a suivi la délégation lundi 06 avril.  Il est 9h30 au quartier Tokoin Gbonvié. Nous sommes au  siège de l’ATBEF. Une clinique mobile de l'Association, un véhicule Toyota Landcruiser blanche, s’apprête à démarrer. Le contrôle de routine est fait pour vérifier le bon état du micro et du haut-parleur qui serviront à passer l’information en sillonnant les artères de la ville.  A bord de la voiture, se trouvent deux hommes "bien protégés' avec des bavettes . Il s’agit de la responsable de la mission et un polyglotte. Ce dernier  est assistant social sur le projet BMZ à l’ATBEF. De la musique et des messages de sensibilisation en 6 différentes langues (4 locales et 2 étrangères) qui raisonnent à travers le dispositif installé sur le véhicule nous conduisent premièrement au marché de La Paix du quartier Agbalépédogan, après avoir traversé quelques artères de la ville. A cet endroit, le polyglotte, M. Merveille BAKA descend, prend son micro et commence par sensibiliser  les revendeuses et revendeurs du marché.  Lisez l'article complet ici: http://togotopnews.com/index.php/sante/item/3873-reportage-covid-19-l-atbef-au-front-contre-la-propagation-du-virus   

Faire encore plus pour atteindre les résultats stratégiques de l’IPPF !! Faire encore plus pour atteindre les résultats stratégiques de l’IPPF !! La 18ème édition de la réunion des donateurs de l’IPPF a débuté ce lundi 11 juin 2018 à Sir Christopher Wren Hôtel à Windsor en Grande Bretagne. Devant une bonne trentaine de donateurs issus des Gouvernements, des fondations et des Organisations mondiales œuvrant pour la santé et des droits sexuels et de la reproduction, l’IPPF par le biais de sa Présidente mondiale Rana Abu Ghazaleh de son Directeur Général  Dr. Alvaro Bermejo des Directeurs des départements ont présenté les rapports 2017 de la Fédération. Ils relèvent essentiellement au niveau de tous les résultats stratégiques des progrès considérables. Cette première journée a été également consacrée à la présentation du travail des Associations Membres de la Fédération. Ainsi, pour la Région Afrique, l’ATBEF par le biais de son responsable communication et mobilisation de ressources représentant la Directrice Exécutive,  M Joël EKLOU et une jeune bénéficiaire des services de l’Association et paire éducatrice à l’Université de Lomé ont présenté à travers un poster titré « empoworing youth and local communities to promote youth right and access in Togo », le programme jeune de l’Association aux donateurs.  Un panel sur les enjeux de la nouvelle architecture de l’aide pour la Santé et les Droits Sexuels et de la Reproduction a clôturé les travaux du 1er jour.   Joël EKLOU Responsable Communication et Mobilisation de Ressources, ATBEF     Towards even more achievement of IPPF's strategic outcomes!! The 18thedition of the IPPF Donor Meeting began this Monday, June 11, 2018 at Sir Christopher Wren Hotel in Windsor, UK. With over 30 donors from governments and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working for sexual and reproductive health and rights. IPPF through its Global President Dr. Rana Abu Ghazaleh and from Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, Director General presented the 2017 report. It outlined the work achieved so far as aligned to the strategic plan – there was considerable progress in reaching the strategic goals. This first day was also devoted to the presentation of the work of the Member Associations. For Africa Region, Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) represented by Mr. Joël Eklou, Communication and Resource Mobilization Representative and Cherita Ankoua beneficiary of the services provided by ATBEF and peer educator at the University of Lomé presented a poster titled "EmpoweringYouth and Local Communities to Promote Youth Right and Access in Togo”. Mr. Lucien Kouakou, Regional Director – IPPF Africa Region presented the work achieved though the youth program.  An interesting panel session gave participants a chance to discuss issues of the new aid architecture for Health and Sexual Rights and Reproduction.    Joël EKLOU Communication and Resource Mobilization Manager, ATBEF  

Son nom Kodjovi KPOMEGBE,  Prêtre vodou dans le canton d’Attitogon dans la préfecture du Bas-Mono dans le sud du Togo, marié à trois (03) femmes et père de dix (10) enfants. Jusque-là rien d’exceptionnel pour cet homme de 43 ans qui jouit d’une renommée indescriptible au sein de sa communauté pour ses puissances spirituelles héritées de Père en fils. Mais dire que celui que tout le monde appelle Togbui devienne aujourd’hui un promoteur sans égal de la planification familiale dans la contrée surprend plus d’un. En effet, au détour de la formation organisée par l’ATBEF dans le cadre du projet d’engagement des hommes et des jeunes garçons dans la SR/PF en vue de réduire la mortalité maternelle et infantile au Togo, Kodjovi, choisi pour représenter la chefferie traditionnelle à ladite formation a été totalement transformé. « Je me suis scruté, examiné ma famille, mes 10 enfants et mes 03 femmes après l’animation de la session sur les avantages de la planification familiale au cours de l’atelier. Rien n’était contre les préceptes divins et au-delà je me suis vu comme un bourreau de ma famille. Ma vision de la chose a complètement changée. J’ai demandé à mes épouses d’adopter la planification familiale à l’USP dès la semaine qui suit la formation. Certes au niveau de mes collègues chefs vaudou, je suis perçu depuis quelques temps comme un peu fou, mais j’assume et je compte convaincre tous les autres. Avec le projet, j’ai déjà animé des émissions radiophoniques et des dialogues communautaires à Attitogon et je ne compte pas m’arrêter là. J’ai déjà convaincu une bonne partie des femmes de mon couvent vaudou à emboiter le pas à mes épouses. » A l’instar de Kodjovi, nos villages et hameaux ont besoin d’hommes d’envergure pouvant changer les pratiques routinières négatives. Le projet innovant dit d’implication des hommes change la donne en donnant l’opportunité aux hommes au travers des écoles de garçons et de maris de renforcer leurs aptitudes à être des exemples d’implication et de soutien aux femmes et filles dans leur communauté. D’ores et déjà après un (1) an de mise en œuvre, les cas Kodjovi sont légions dans les zones de mise en œuvre du projet ceci au bénéfice de l’accès des populations en Droits en Santé Sexuelle et de la Reproduction. Joël EKLOU Responsable Communication et  Mobilisation de Ressources ATBEF     Kodjovi KPOMEGBE, is a traditional priest in Attitogon, Bas-Mono Southern Togo. He is has 3 wives and is a father of ten 10 children. There is nothting exceptional about this 43-year-old man apart from his life of stark contrasts. He is a man who is revered within his community for his traditional gifts that are handed down from father to son yet today, Kodjovi is a champion of family planning. This is a susprise to his community.     Kodjovi attended a training organized by Association Togolaise Pour Le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) on reduction of maternal and infant mortality in Togo. During this training, he was chosen to represent the chiefs of his region. It is within this training that he decided to become a champion on family planing.    "After the training, I scrutinized myself, my family, my 10 children and my 3 wives. I am glad to say that my family and I will benefit of family planning. It was clear that there is nothting that goes against the divine precepts of my religion. As a the breadwinner of my family, my vision of the things that I had in mind for my family has now completely changed. I have already requested my wives to adopt family planning at the clinic. At the level of my colleagues - the traditional religious leaders, I have been perceived for some time as a little crazy. But I accept is and I have set it as a goal to convince all of them to embrace family planning.” Kodjovi said during an interview with journalists.   “With this project from ATBEF, I have talked on community radio programs and community dialogues in my villages and I do not intend to stop there. I have already convinced a good part of the women of my religious convent to follow suit and access family planning like my wives."     Like Kodjovi, our villages need men of influce who can move from negative traditional practices. This innovative project from ATBEF that encourages male involvement is changing the game by giving men the opportunity to strengthen their abilities to be role models and supporters of women and girls in their communities.   After only 1 year of implementation, the number of “Kodjovi cases” have increased in the region and are bound to boost demand for Rights in Sexual Health Services.       Joël EKLOU Communication and  Resource Mobilization Director, ATBEF  

By Joel Eklou *Read the French version of this story below. A rare scene was recently witnessed at the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF ) main clinic in Lome, specifically at the vaccination section. In the waiting area was Sadjo, a 32-year-old man who was playing with his 4-month-old twins, Eli and Isaiah, while waiting to be seen by the clinician. The stares and murmurs by fellow patients kept growing louder by the minute. "Where is the mother of these children? How can she let the dad bring the babies alone to the clinic?” While others had different views: “He is a dad like no other… we have never seen a father like him –so committed to his children…” The very relaxed Sadjo comfortably answered them: "It is a great pleasure to bring my babies to the clinic. This is the second time I’m doing so since they were born. I have received many odd looks from both women and men on the road when coming to the clinic, and even right here in the clinic. Many think that my wife died during childbirth. However, my wife Adjo is very well. We decided that I will play an active parenting role, where I don’t leave all responsibilities to her. Yesterday, we discussed and agreed that I would bring our children to the clinic today, to enable her to go undertake some shopping for her trade.” Sadjo, a professional brick layer demonstrates that the care of children in a family is a shared responsibility by the couple. He reverses the cliché that the healthcare of children is solely a mother's issue, and gives a beautiful testimony of the need for male involvement in the health and well-being of the family. It is also interesting to note that Sadjo and his wife choose ATBEF's clinic for their health needs, because of their reputation as a service provider that offers quality and affordable services to all. *The French version of this story follows below. Joel Eklou is the Communication and Resource Mobilization Manager, The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook and Twitter **************************************************************************************************   Voilà pourquoi ce jeune papa a amené seul ses bébés à la clinique par Joel Eklou Une scène rare s’est produite très récemment à la clinique principale de l’Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) plus précisément dans son service de vaccination : dans la salle d’attente,  Sadjo, 32 ans s’amuse avec  ses jumeaux de 4 mois, Eli et Isaïe le temps qu’ils soient reçus par la Sage-Femme. Les regards et les murmures des autres patients continuaient à s’amplifier à la minute: « Où est la maman de ces bébés ? Comment peut-elle laisser le Papa seul amener les bébés à la clinique ? ». Mais  d'autres avaient des points de vue différents: " Un papa pas comme les autres ... Nous n'avons jamais vu un père comme lui, aussi engagé envers ses enfants ..." Très à l’aise et serein, Sadjo leur répond: " C’est un immense plaisir d’amener mes bébés à la clinique et c’est la 2ème fois que je le fais après l’accouchement des jumeaux. Beaucoup me regardent bizarrement aussi bien les femmes que les hommes tout au long du chemin qui m’a amené jusqu’à la clinique. Beaucoup pensent même que ma femme est décédée à l’accouchement alors que mon épouse Adjo va bien. Nous avons décidé que je joue pleinement mon rôle de parent en toute responsabilité sans laisser ma femme seule s’occuper des enfants.  Hier, nous nous sommes convenu qu’elle puisse vaquer aux achats pour son commerce et que moi, je les amène aujourd’hui à la clinique.” Sadjo, 32 ans, maçon-carreleur de profession démontre ainsi que la prise en charge familiale des enfants reste une affaire de couple et donc des deux conjoints.  Il renverse ainsi les clichés que prendre soin des enfants n’est pas seulement l’apanage des femmes et donne ainsi un beau témoignage sur l’engagement des hommes en matière de santé et de bien-être de la famille. Il est également intéressant de constater que Sadjo et sa femme ont choisi la clinique de l’ATBEF pour leur besoin en matière de santé en raison des services de qualité à couts abordables qui y sont offerts. Joël Eklou est le Responsable Communication et Mobilisation de Ressources, The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF)

The IPPF Africa Region delegation currently on an advocacy mission in Lome, Togo, yesterday held successful talks with the Egyptian Ambassador to Togo His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Karim Sherif. Led by Mr. Lucien Kouakou, the IPPF Africa Region Director, the team shared IPPF’s new Strategic Framework (2016-2022), which highlights the Federation’s vision to continue meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of all women, men and young people across the globe. Mr. Kouakou further demonstrated the contribution of its Member Association in Togo -The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) to the achievement of the country’s development goals, more so those in the health sector. ATBEF continues to deliver a wide range of quality reproductive health services to the Togo population, including much-needed maternal health services to thousands of women across the country. As a result, ATBEF’s services have significantly contributed to the reduction of maternal mortality in the country. The success of ATBEF has been achieved due to the support of various partners and stakeholders in both the public and private sector. One of these partners has been Egypt, which has over the years made invaluable investments to Togo largely in the fields of health, education and agriculture. The Egyptian Ambassador pledged his unwavering support to IPPFAR and ATBEF, and further assured the delegation of his commitment to being an ATBEF champion, which will enable the Member Association organization continue to provide essential reproductive health services to the Togo populace. The IPPFAR delegation also visited the Lake District health in Goumoukopé, 40 km from Lome, where they witnessed ATBEF’s provision of sexual and reproductive health services through the mobile clinic strategy. This activity, which saw hundreds of men, women and young people receive services, was undertaken in collaboration with UNFPA. During the visit, UNFPA’s Resident Representative Mr. Saturnin Epié highlighted the relevance of the collaborative initiatives between the two organizations, and called for strengthened engagements regarding the same.

1 November 2016, Lome, Togo Mr. Lucien Kouakou, the IPPF Africa Regional Director is currently on an Advocacy mission in Lome Togo, where he is undertaking engagements with key SRHR partners in the country, including those affiliated to the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF). ATBEF is one of IPPFAR’s 42 Member Associations. Accompanying Mr. Kouakou in his mission is Dr. Dorothy Yevide, President of the Association Béninoise pour la Planification Familiale (ABPF) representing the Regional President of IPPF, and Ms. Denise Murekatete, IPPFAR Program Advisor. The delegation has so far engaged in fruitful discussions with the UNFPA Country Representative, M Saturnin Epie. During their discussions, the IPPFAR delegation appreciated the continued collaboration between ATBEF and UNFPA, with IPPFAR pledging to strengthen this partnership through among others, the implementation of the Community-based distribution of contraceptives, including the injectable.  The IPPFAR delegation also met the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo, M. Essohouna Meba, who lauded IPPFAR for the significant contribution that ATBEF has made in Togo, more so towards the achievement of the country’s development goals. He further pledged his commitment to being ATBEF’s spokesman in the private business sector. The IPPFAR team continues its advocacy mission this week, together with the Ambassador of The Youth Action Movement –Togo chapter.  

The IPPFAR delegation currently on an advocacy and resource mobilization mission in Lome, Togo, has today met with The President of the National Assembly of Togo Mr. Drama Dramani. In his remarks, Mr. Dramani  congratulated the team, led by Mr. Lucien Kouakou –the IPPF Africa Region Director for the key role that IPPFAR, through its Member Association in Togo -The Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) continues to play in the country in its provision of quality reproductive health services. Also present in these discussions was the UNFPA Resident Representative in Togo. Mr. Dramani assured the IPPFAR delegation of the unwavering support of his institution, including the facilitation of a workshop for Members of Parliament (MPs) on issues surrounding Comprehensive Sexuality Education and the Demographic Dividend. He also pledged that the National Assembly will consider ATBEF’s request for funding and committed his assistance to mobilizing resources locally in favor of the IPPF Member Association in Togo. The delegation also held discussions with the President of the Association of Large Enterprises of Togo (AGET), José M Symenouh. In response to Mr. Kouakou who presented the Strategic Plan of the Federation, together with the touching testimonies of representatives of ATBEF’s Youth Action Movement (YAM), AGET pledged its commitment to the advancement of the youth agenda championed by ATBEF. The President further committed to being an ATBEF champion among his peers, which will include the promotion of the organization and mobilization of resources. He extended an invitation to ATBEF during the next meeting of members of AGET, and further invited the organization to make submissions on projects of interest to AGET members. The Chairman of the Trustees, Mr. Kossivi Naku urged ATBEF to continue strengthening its provision of reproductive health services, more so with a focus on young people. He pledged to facilitate the signing of a partnership agreement between employers and ATBEF before the end of November 2016, and to facilitate the inclusion of ATBEF as part of a delegation that will travel all private sector businesses to raise awareness on the noble causes of the organization. Later in the day, the IPPFAR delegation met with officials from the Ministry of Planning, and their counterparts from the Ministries of Infrastructure and Transport, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, who pledged to support the work of ATBEF.   Follow IPPFAR on Facebook and Twitter for more updates on our work.