Feature Articles

Collaboration with FPOP on RHAPSODY, an Innovation Fund project

Ref Number: ESEAOR200910

  • Date1 Oct 2009
  • Category FPA Message
  • Targets Public
  • AuthorFPAHK
  • Topic Others

To improve sexual and reproductive health and rights of overseas Filipino household services workers (OFHSWs) and their families, the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) is working as a partner with the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) to pilot the Reproductive Health and Human Rights Advocacy, Protection and Services for Overseas Domestic Workers (RHAPSODY) project. Funded by IPPF’s Innovation Fund in 2009, the project aims to increase OFHSWs’ accesses to sexual and reproductive health information and services in Hong Kong.

In August and October this year, FPOP’s Executive Director, Roberto M. Ador, Project Coordinator, Bernie Galang and President, Attorney Betty Lourdes Tabanda visited FPAHK. They were warmly received by Executive Director, Susan Fan, Clinic Officer-in-charge, Maggie Lau, and frontline clinical staff. After a cordial and fruitful discussion, the project schedule and details were agreed.

Subsequently Maggie delivered a talk to the project trainers at the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration Office on 25 October 2009. The participants will promote FPAHK’s services to their friends and encourage them to attend our clinics. With funding from the Innovation Fund, FPAHK will offer 25% discount on most of our clinical services to Filipino domestic helpers when they present valid coupons of the RHAPSODY project.

This is an excellent opportunity for FPAHK to work with a member association of ESEAOR to serve an ethnic minority in Hong Kong. We hope to share our experiences in delivering sexual and reproductive health information and services for the benefit of all stakeholders.