Education And Counseling Workshop on Family Planning and Reproductive Rights

In a relaxed and informal environment, we organized a workshop for Ukrainian women, in which we discussed methods of contraception, information about the Romanian health system and how to access it, gynecological and obstetric services, ultrasound, abortion, HPV vaccination.

The discussions highlighted the need for mothers themselves to be well-informed so that they can discuss contraception, menstruation, protection from sexually transmitted infections, consent with their teenage children. These are sensitive topics for parents of all nationalities and many feel embarrassed and reluctant to raise these subjects.

Women, girls and teenagers need universal health services, reliable information and access to midwifery-based care. Midwives provide family planning counseling, health education for adolescents, young people and women, pregnancy, lactation and newborn monitoring.

Midwives save lives and prevent complications, and the Romanian health care system urgently needs to integrate their services into the National Health Insurance Fund.

Read what two of the event's participants are saying about the support from the Association of Independent Midwives:

Yevheniia (38 years old):
Every time an incomprehensible situation arises with going to the doctors, I know that AMI will be happy to help me with a telephone consultation at the call center on any issue. Lena and Alena from the call center will always give advice and tell you how to act correctly in each situation. I attended several events on family planning and contraception for teenagers with Inna as an excellent consultant and translator and I was very pleased with the information received. Consultations at Romexpo help many people who are looking for help but don’t know where to find it. Thanks, AMI, for your work!

Oleksandra (40 years old):
I am grateful for the opportunity to be present at the "Family Planning" event. The midwives explained very well what to pay attention to in the future planning of children. How to explain these issues to your children, especially teenagers. We learned how important vaccination is for girls to prevent serious diseases. Thanks to AMI, it is possible to learn how to make an appointment with a doctor. If you can't make it on your own, they help and make an appointment, and they also provide us with an interpreter.

Project funded by CORE with American Red Cross funds.