United Kingdom

United Kingdom

FORWARD was founded in response to the continuing practice of FGM among migrant communities in the UK. We have been working ever since to frame the practice as a human rights violation, informing affected communities about the health and human rights implications and laws. We are now one of the longest standing organisations tackling FGM in the UK and we continue our work to support women affected and girls at risk of FGM through our programmes.

We do this by facilitating community-wide engagement activities with boys, men, religious leaders, frontline professionals, policy-makers, media and the general public.

Our UK Programmes

Young People Speak Out!

Young People Speak Out!

Our Young people Speak Out programme (YPSO) works with young people (18-25) by developing their skills as youth advocates in their communities. Find our more about our Young Women's Hub and Young Women's Advisory Council.

Artists Unite to End FGM

Artists Unite to End FGM

Our international network of artists (visual art, dancers and more) to help in our goal to end female genital mutilation and all violence against African women and girls. Find out more about our Musicians Unite to End FGM (MUTEFGM) project here.

Community Engagement

Community Engagement

We continue our work to support migrant African women and girls affected, or at-risk of female genital mutilation and other forms of violence against African women and girls. You can find out more about the services and support we offer for women and girls here too.

Schools and Higher Education

Schools and Higher Education

We believe that schools play a vital role in protecting and supporting girls and youth at risk of, or being affected by FGM.

African diaspora

African diaspora

Our diaspora programme works with African women in the UK and Europe to influence policies, discourse and programmes on ending Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) and amplifying diaspora voices, views and solutions to VAWG.

Schools & professionals training

Schools & professionals training

We provide capacity training for professionals and community members as well as support for grassroots partnerships in the UK, EU and Africa.

Support services

Support services

FORWARD provides advice, one-to-one support and signposting to other services for women and girls affected by any form of violence. We also answer questions about female genital mutilation (FGM), other harmful practices, domestic and sexual violence. Our services for African women and girls are in London but we also have partners across the UK we can direct you to.

Young women leadership

Young women leadership

TuWezeshe Akina Dada, Swahili for ‘empowering our sisters’, is a feminist leadership programme seeking to inspire a generation of young African women to engage in the civil and political spheres and galvanise collective action against all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

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