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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Reflecting on 40 years of FORWARD with Naana Otoo-Oyortey

Read aout FORWARD's herstory over the past 40 years from our Executive Director Naana

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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

Event

Event: Zero Tolerance to FGM: Investing in the health & dignity of women & girls

This free event will explore the action, partnerships and sustained investment needed to end FGM and protect the health, rights and dignity of women and girls.

Feminist Leadership

New Report: Young Women's Feminist Leadership Programme (2025 Northern Ghana Training)

This report outlines the incredible social action plans led by the TuWezeshe fellows in Ghana in 2025 after they participated in this feminist leadership programme.

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

Ghana

New Report: Young Women’s Feminist Leadership Programme (2025 Northern Ghana Training)

community champions

Journeys of Community Champions

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Take Action- Support Our Work

FORWARD Shop

Our shop options range from FORWARD branded campaign items (eg. t-shirts) to clitoris necklaces, CD's, feminist artwork and more. Take a look now for a unique gift whilst helping to support our work, win win all round!

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Take Action

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.

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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