FORWARD International

The Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD) "is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works to advance and protect the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of African girls and women.

"FORWARD works to promote action to bring about positive social change to enhance the well being and protect the dignity of African girls and women globally. FORWARD is committed to eliminating harmful gender-based discriminatory practices that violate the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and women, such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage.

"FORWARD was established in 1983 in the UK, in response to the emerging problems caused by female genital mutilation being seen by health professionals."

Team
Accessed March 2009:


 * Efua Dorkenoo OBE - Founder

Patrons and Matrons
 * Lord Kennet
 * Alice Walker
 * Skin (formally of Skunk Anansie)
 * Baroness Gould

Board of Trustees
 * Margaret Nyuydzewira - Chair
 * Yaw Addo - Treasurer
 * Nawar Elkhalif (from the YPSO Project)
 * Gibril Faal
 * Faduma Hussein
 * Hanan Ibrahim
 * Monica Mhoja
 * Hana Murgani (from the YPSO Project)
 * Beatrice Mutali
 * Irene Noel
 * Jessica Nott
 * Naomi Reid - Membership Secretary
 * Lisa Smith
 * Catherine Torazzo

Staff Team
 * Naana Otoo-Oyortey, MBE - Executive Director
 * Elizabeth Gezahegn King - Africa Programme Manager
 * Susana Oguntoye - Senior Research and Policy Officer
 * Sanuba Din - Finance and Admin Manager
 * Khalda El Hafiz - Community Programme Coordinator
 * Jenny Comery - Youth Programme Coordinator
 * Estelle Robinson - Information and Communication Officer
 * Rita Buhanda - Community Outreach Worker
 * Gifty Saba - Admin Assistant

Volunteer and Intern Support
 * Kate Thornton
 * Ritgak Dimka
 * Aida Yemane
 * Carrie Battiste
 * Brittany Goede
 * Michael Dumbuya
 * Michael Coulston

Sponsors (2008)
Total income for 2008 fy was 241,125 pounds (of which 210,938 pounds was obtained from grants)


 * Big Lottery
 * Bromley Trust
 * Camelot Foundation
 * City Parochial Foundation
 * Comic Relief
 * Equality and Human Rights Commission
 * European Commission - Daphne Programme
 * John Lyons Charity
 * London Councils
 * Sigrid Rausing Trust
 * Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust
 * Westminster Primary Care Trust
 * Womankind (Women at Risk)

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * Female Genital Mutilation Special Initiative