Celebrating HERA

This year marks the 20^th Anniversary of the Macedonian Member Association HERA. The organisation was first established in response to Macedonia’s HIV epidemic. It has grown in size and scope since then. Today, it is a national civil society leader working on issues of sexual and reproductive health as well as gender equality.

“Looking back at it, the last 20 years have passed quickly. But in some ways the journey has just begun; and the fight for SRHR will never end.

IPPF has always been an inspiration for us, we grow and mature having you alongside us.”

HERA Executive Director, Bojan Jovanovski

HERA started operating in the time before HIV Antiretroviral treatment was broadly accessible. The organisation was the first to advocate for state-funded HIV treatment and counseling in Macedonia. It was also first to open youth-friendly clinics that provide free and anonymous services for young people and key populations.

For a period of 15 year, HERA was at the heart of the national HIV response, and functioned as the Secretariat of the Global Fund’s (GFATM) Country Co-ordinating Mechanism. Following the withdrawal of the Global Fund from the country, HERA has continued to work with the national government to provide HIV prevention services.

Rights and Gender Equality also remain at the core of HERA’s mission. HERA led the first abortion rights movement in 2008 and was a main advocate for changing the restrictive abortion law in 2019. It is now one of the most liberal legislations in Europe.

HERA is also devoted to youth programming. It delivers informal CSE to young people and advocates for integrating CSE in the school system. As of 2011 HERAYouth operates as an independent division of HERA with more than 50 active volunteers as educators and advocates for CSE and SRHR.

You can read more about the formidable achievements of HERA in their Anniversary monograph (English only).