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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

Young Women's Leadership: TuWezeshe Akina Dada (Empowering Our Sisters)

Our flagship 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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Run for FORWARD: Saucony 10k & Royal Parks Half Marathon

By running with us, you’ll be supporting our work empowering women and girls to live free from violence and harmful practices. Every step you take will help us continue delivering vital services and creating lasting change in our communities.

Find out more and sign up
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FORWARD stands courageously for Justice, Dignity and Inclusion, will you?

On the occasion of Refugee Week 2026, under the theme of Courage, FORWARD stands in solidarity with refugees and migrants across the UK and reaffirms a simple but urgent truth: no one seeking safety, dignity or opportunity should be met with hostility.

Read the full statement

Latest Updates

Blog

The UK FGM Summit: How to ensure FGM stays on the agenda

Read FORWARD's thoughts on the recent FGM Summit organised in response to commitments set out in the Government’s Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy.

Communications

Job Vacancy: Communications & Events Officer

This role will deliver FORWARD’s communication and events, working with colleagues to shape narratives to challenge harmful norms, and amplify the leadership and voices of African women and girls.

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.

Read more about our impact

Publications

FGM Insights

FGM Survey Insights - Public Awareness on FGM & Support Services

To better understand current levels of awareness and the lived realities surrounding FGM, FORWARD conducted the Public Awareness on FGM and Support Services survey between December 2025 and January 2026.

Full details
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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.

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

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