What We Do

Since its establishment, FORWARD has been recognised as a leader in the field of working and campaigning for the elimination of female genital mutilation.

FORWARD has been a pioneer in promoting innovative strategies and community-orientated approaches towards the prevention and abandonment of FGM. In the UK FORWARD has been highly successful in the campaign for legislation against FGM. FORWARD has also been at the forefront of training education, health, social service and other professionals on the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Protection, as well as voluntary and community organisations.

FORWARD has been one of the few anti-FGM groups advocating for improved access and quality health care to women who suffer FGM health complications. FORWARD was the first organisation to highlight the need for specialised care for women with complications arising from FGM. In 1992 FORWARD collaborated with Dr Harry Gordon at the Northwick Park Hospital to establish the first African Well-Women Clinic at Northwick Park Hospital to deal with obstetric and gynaecological health complications suffered by women with FGM Type 3. This clinic became a model for similar specialist health services that were later established in other parts of the UK.

In the UK, FORWARD:

1. provides information and advice in relation to FGM and publishes and distributes material for professionals, community workers and the general public.
2. devises and delivers training on FGM and child protection to health, education, child protection and social services professionals and community organisations.
3. has an FGM resource library and video loaning service.
4. supports girls and women facing a personal crisis as a consequence of FGM and can provide information about accessing specialist health care and counselling.
5. works with FGM practicing communities to support and promote the rights and health of African girls and women and encourage the abandonment of FGM.
6. carries out lobbying and campaigning initiatives in relation to FGM and violence against women.
7. conducts research studies into the knowledge, attitudes and practices of FGM practising communities.

Internationally, FORWARD:

1. collaborates with international organisations and African non-governmental organisations working to eliminate harmful traditional practices
2. supports the elimination of harmful social practices by sponsoring local health, socio-economic and educational programmes in countries where FGM occurs
3. has several programmes in Africa seeking to promote the health and reproductive rights of girls and women and improve health service delivery
4. advocates for remedial policies in countries where harmful traditional practices have a strongly negative or even fatal impact on the health of women and children
5. publishes and distributes resources and training material for professionals and community workers internationally