END FGM
Ending Female Genital Mutilation
AWWG works in partnership with FORWARD, the British partner for the END FGM European campaign led by Amnesty International Ireland.
" Female Genital Mutilation comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non - medical reasons. "
(1997 Joint WHO/UNICEF/UNPA statement)
The European Parliament estimates that around 500,000 women and girls are living with FGM in Europe and another 180,000 are at risk of being subjected to the practice each year.
AWWG is one of the few organisations working tirelessly to raise awareness of FGM and the health implications of this practice on African women.
The service generally, though not exclusively, falls within three broad areas:
- Support and care services for women who have been infibulated including reversal provision
- Prevention work within communities who participate in the practice
- Awareness and education not only for the community, but also for health professionals. AWWG has been working closely with statutory providers through training/workshop session for nurses and midwives
In partnership with FORWARD, AWWG realised a project “Young people speak out” that provided young people with a platform for their voices to be heard and a chance to share ideas and gain skills to promote the health and human rights of African women and girls.
This film project helped to improve the knowledge, confidence and skills African girls and women in the UK as they explored the issues of FGM and its devastating effects on women’s lives.
The opportunity enabled participants to develop a drama and learn technical skills in film making as a medium of communicating their message to a wider audience. It also helped to develop their leadership skills and other skills in decision making and problem solving.
Fighting Extremism
In collaboration with Haringey Council and London Metropolitan Police,
AWWG holds training sessions, seminars and workshop on extremism and fundamentalism issues. The aim is to bring together Muslim women from different communities in order to be a unified voice against extremist practices and misinterpretations of the Islam and the Quran.
Monthly lectures are held to promote best practices of Islam among the community and women work with young girls in order to minimise their involvement in disruptive and negative activities.
Thanks to these initiative women from different boroughs in North London have been linked together and, in November 2010, AWWG launched the North London Muslim Women Network a network of women committed to religious tolerance and intercultural dialogue. In the next year, AWWG plans to continue on this campaign, with the challenging task of involving Muslim faith leaders.,
