FORWARD

Dignity and change for African women and girls

FORWARD (Foundation of Women's Health Research and Development) is the African women-led women's rights organisation working to end violence against women and girls.

About us

Highlights

Naana, Executive Director Wins National Honour in Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards UK

As we mark FORWARD’s 40th anniversary we are thrilled to celebrate a truly special milestone as our Executive Director, Naana Otoo-Oyortey MBE, has been recognised as a UK Award Winner in the Top 50 Professional and Career Women of the Year Awards by Women in Management!🌟 Naana has been honoured as the EDI Advocate of the Year, recognising her exceptional leadership and tireless advocacy for gender justice, equality, and women’s rights.

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Christmas 2025 Appeal!

Please donate to help young girls/women from our partner organisation Girl 2 Girl, affected by a fire in Freetown, Sierra Leone

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FORWARD is an Action For Women's Health Awardee

FORWARD is excited to have been selected as the only UK based awardee of Action for Women’s Health, a $250 million global fund awarded to 80+ organisations around the world.

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Latest Updates

Seasons greetings

Seasons Greetings 2025

Watch our video message to you this holiday season!

FGM

What do you know about FGM? Your 10 minutes will make a difference!

This short, anonymous survey takes ten minutes to complete and aims to inform policy, education, and community protection initiatives. The findings will help shape national training, prevention strategies, and support for survivors.

Our Impact

44,580

Students taught about their body and rights in UK schools since 2015.

11,570

Professionals trained on how to safeguard women and girls affected or at risk of FGM, since 2015

24,393

School girls and boys mobilised in Africa to know their rights and fight violence against women and girls in their schools and their communities.

Publications

Event Video

FORWARD at 40: Seeds of Change Celebration- Highlights Video

community champions

Journeys of Community Champions

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Seeds of Change: 40 Years of FORWARD

To mark our 40th anniversary, join us in honouring our journey, celebrating our growth, and recognising the incredible changemakers who have stood with us.

Help Fund Our Work

Support our vision of the day when African girls and women will live in dignity, are healthy, have choices and enjoy equal rights, free from fear of violence.

Donate

Be part of forward

Be part of our global network working towards ending FGM, child marriage and violence against women and girls, by joining our newsletter