What FORWARD does:

• supports and sponsors African women's health and economic projects in the UK and Africa with the primary objective of eliminating FGM
• develops protocols and guidelines for health, education and social services professionals to increase awareness and to develop best practice models
• supports the African Well Women Clinic at Northwick Park Hospital
• provides counselling and advice for traumatised, genitally mutilated women
• provides expertise and advice to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministries of Health of many countries
• develops training and advocacy material on FGM for African women and their families and for professionals in health, education and social services
• facilitates the development of coordinated policies on FGM issues within the local authorities in the UK, including health, education, child protection and social services
• provides information and advice on the health issues raised by FGM to individuals, African women, the media, health and education professionals, researchers and other interested institutions
• promotes health education at the grassroots for African women and their children through the support of community and self-help groups
• is involved in investigative research into vesico vaginal fistula (VVF) in Africa

FORWARD's work and achievements include:

• FORWARD was active in the campaign that led to FGM being recognised as a violation against human rights at the United Nations
• In 1992, FORWARD organised a conference in which a declaration to campaign against FGM was agreed upon by all European Union member countries
• In 1989, FORWARD assisted the UK government to integrate FGM prevention into the UK Child Protection procedures
• In recognition of FORWARD's work in seeking the elimination of FGM in the UK, FORWARD has been co-funded by the UK Department of Health since 1985
• Director, Efua Dorkenoo was awarded an OBE in 1994 for leading the campaign against FGM and for her contribution to improving women's health
• Director, Efua Dorkenoo is currently acting as a consultant to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in helping to develop strategies to eliminate FGM worldwide. Efua was instrumental in producing the joint WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA statement of FGM which is, "to support global, national and community efforts for the elimination of FGM in order to achieve health and well-being for women, girls, their families and communities."
• The core framework developed by FORWARD in the UK has been taken up by WHO for use as a model for the prevention of FGM in the Western world
• FORWARD was invited by the Ministry of Health Australia to help design a strategic framework for implementing a preventative FGM program for refugee and migrant communities
• FORWARD health training materials have been used in anti-FGM programs worldwide
• Organisations who have collaborated with FORWARD include: Amnesty International, Equality Now, WHO, Minority Rights Group, UK Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the UN Centre for Human Rights