Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development

The Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD) is a British NGO, founded in 1983 by Efua Dorkenoo, that supports women who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM) and tries to eliminate the practice.[1][2]

History

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FORWARD evolved from the Women's Action Group for Female Excision and Infibulation (WAGFEI), which comprised UK-based women concerned about FGM. Efua Dorkenoo coordinated the group between 1981 and 1983 under the auspices of the Minority Rights Group (MRG), and travelled to gather facts about FGM from various countries in Africa to compile into an MRG report on the practice.[3]

The organization runs several programmes in the UK and in East and West Africa.[4] According to FORWARD, there are around 100,000 women in the UK who have experienced FGM.[5] The Executive Director is Naana Otoo-Oyortey.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Efua Dorkenoo" Archived March 4, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Equality Now.
  2. ^ "About Us", FORWARD.
  3. ^ "Tribute to Efua Dorkenoo OBE – Founder of FORWARD" Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine, 21 October 2014.
  4. ^ "About us", FORWARD; accessed 11 September 2011.
  5. ^ Bryony Gordon, "Making trouble in the name of mutilated women", The Daily Telegraph, 31 October 2005.
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