Overview of FORWARD’s Community Engagement work- for the FGM Special Initiative Naana Otoo-Oyortey- Executive Director FORWARD Launch of FGM Special Initiative Phase II 1 July 2013, Houses of Parliament, London, UK

FORWARD who we are… FORWARD is a dynamic go to African Diaspora women’s organisation with a big agenda to safeguard the dignity, health and human rights of African women and girls. We were founded in 1983 as a UK charity and work through partnerships to enable women, girls and young people to play a key roe in shaping change

What we do… We work in Africa, UK and Europe and focus on sexual and reproductive health – particularly FGM, child marriage and obstetric fistula Our mission is to enable through: –Public education and training –Policy advocacy and campaigns –Programme support and services –Provision of resources, evidence and information – Promoting empowerment and voice

Our theory of change Shift in community understanding and awareness of FGM Shift in social norms Change in engagement Shift in policy Invest in evidence base Invest in key stakeholders at community level -women, young people and men- skills,

FORWARD’s work with Phase 1 Grateful to Sioned – a chance conversation led to the set up of this programme Introduced Options to the team Supported a number of partners through training and collaborative work- Women’s Health and leadership has been scaled up in Birm- Empowered and art exhibition Youth research to be launched in October

FORWARD’s work with Phase 1 Youth advocates operating in four cities- Bristol, Middlesbrough, Rochdale & London Key highlights include the Bristol FGM The FGM Board Game; Think Again- school resources which have informed working Bristol and London- youth resources School Programme and professional training round the country One to one youth support- youth group

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