FORWARD (Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development) is an African diaspora women led NGO dedicated to the advancement and safeguarding of the sexual and reproductive health, and rights of African girls and women. Based in the UK, FORWARD works across Europe and Africa to help change practices and policies that affect the dignity and wellbeing of women. Its core focus areas include Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child marriage and the rights of women and children.
Going strong for over 20 years, FORWARD will be hosting an afternoon of interactive workshops and panel discussions on 3 December under the banner, Mobilising Young African Women in the UK. Speakers on the day include: Griselda Kumordzie Togobo (AWOVI Consulting Ltd), Suzanne Harris (Changing the face of Africa), Sada Mire (Somali Archaeologist and executive director of Horn Heritage), Minna Salami (MsAfropolitan.com) and Adwoa Agyemang (Ghanaian Londoners Network)
Why should you attend?
Are you fed up with the negative images of Africa, especially of women and want to promote a positive view in the diaspora community? Do you want to contribute towards the development of African women and girls but don’t know how?
The workshops and panel discussions will explore ideas on how young African women in the diaspora can mobilise to take action on gender equality and the rights of African girls. It sets out to provide a platform for discussion on policies, issues, challenges and strategies for engagement and action. There will be time to examine the positive and negative images of Africa in the media. There will be an opportunity to hear from young inspirational African women and look at what can be done to contribute towards the development of girls and women in Africa and provide the skills and information to be part of creating this collective voice for action.
What will the focus be?
The aim of the event is to strengthen engagement and networking among young African women in the diaspora on the development and rights of African girls and young women. And bring into the focus, the need for awareness and the development of critical leadership skills.
The event aims to:
Provide a platform for sharing, engagement and discussion on strategies for action
Raise awareness of the context and challenges facing girls and young women in Africaand the diaspora in relation to gender equality, rights and identity
Develop leadership and media skills for enhancing engagement, advocacy action and mentoring
Provide a forum for celebrating young women leaders and entrepreneurs from the African Diaspora
Develop recommendations for establishing a network for Young African Women in the Diaspora to support this agenda for championing rights and gender equality.
Who should attend?
Young women from the African Diaspora in UK
Youth organisations working with African young women in the diaspora, women aged 18-30 years, including, students, researchers and young professionals, and those with a keen interest on gender related matters.
Programme
2.00pm: Registration & refreshments
2.30pm: Opening remarks from FORWARD’s Executive Director,
3.00: Voices of African Girls
Video clips from girls inTanzania,LiberiaandGhana followed by panel discussions
Panel discussions and Q&A on Challenges in promoting gender equality and rights in Africa, strategies for promoting voices and rights of girls in Africa and the role of diaspora young women in championing change.
3.45: Strategy sharing
Entrepreneurship and leadership: Inspirational African women in academia and business
4.45: Café sessions on skills and issues including:
Challenges for young African women in the diaspora identity, culture, religion, race and ethnicity
Through an African Lens: Media training and discussion on Africain the media
Leadership skills/campaigning & advocacy action, coaching and mentoring skills
6.00: Final thoughts and actions to move forward
6.30 -7.30: Networking session
Where?
TheAfrica Centre
38 King Street
London
WC2E 8JT
For more information, go to: FORWARD – Mobilising Young African Women in the UK
