The Health Education and Reasearch Association (HERA) provides the secretariat of the Macedonian APPG.
HERA – Health Education and Research Association was founded in January 2000 by six medical students determined to address the lack of HIV/AIDS education and medical care for people living with HIV in North Macedonia. Since its initial focus on HIV, HERA expanded to include sexual and reproductive health and sexual rights (SRHR) in its portfolio and grew to be the leading organization in the civil society sector in the country working towards their promotion and enhancement. This is evidenced by HERA's full membership in the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) since 2009 and reflected in its Five-Year Strategic Framework.
Over the years, HERA has been advocating for sexual and reproductive rights and legislation, providing free and confidential sexual and reproductive health services, including for victims of gender-based violence, and providing sexuality education. HERA is committed to empowering marginalised and vulnerable population groups – because all people should be able to express their sexuality freely and enjoy social well-being.
