Who we are

FORWARD (Foundation for Women’s Health, Research and Development) is an African-led, women’s rights organisation with over 35 years’ experience in tackling female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and any other form of violence against women and girls (VAWG) that affects their health, dignity and wellbeing. FORWARD’s approach to the prevention, protection and provision of services to women and girls is based on adherence to Article 15 of the Istanbul Convention regarding training and building competency of professionals at the frontline of services and response.

Why training for professionals is essential

Effective response to addressing VAWG requires professionals to adopt a rights-based approach such as it is outlined within the Istanbul Convention, focusing on equality, needs and the rights of victims. Communities affected by FGM deserve to be treated with the same respect as all other communities and other forms of VAWG by key professionals with a duty to protect, respect and fulfil their rights.

This means that professionals need to deliver culturally competent services and responses that help enhance positive outcomes for all women and girls, including all migrant women and those with no recourse to public funds.

However, our experience shows that, very often, professionals overreact or fail to react to reports of suspected FGM. We acknowledge that the issue is one that requires a great deal of expertise and understanding in order to provide the most appropriate response. One size does definitely not fit all.

Coming from an FGM-affected community does not automatically mean support for the practice; going ‘home’ on holiday does not automatically mean girls will be cut; and older daughters having been cut does not automatically mean that younger daughters will.

Each case is different and requires professionals to use all their knowledge, skills and cultural competence to ensure the best outcomes for the girl at the centre of the specific case.

It is therefore essential for professionals to receive appropriate training to equip them to play their role effectively.

Over the years that FORWARD has provided training, we have learned that it is not enough for professionals to have accurate information on FGM, including its types and impacts and the context of affected communities. Professionals also need to be taken through a more reflective process where they confront their unconscious biases, lack of cultural competency and fears so that they are subsequently able to critically examine policy responses through the lens of ‘the best interest of the child’. This in turn enables them to understand FGM in all its complexities, and to respond to it in the best way possible.

FORWARD provides training accredited by Continuous Professional Development [CPD] and by Open College Network, London to all safeguarding professionals, because FORWARD has come to realise that it is imperative professionals are equipped with not only the knowledge of FGM but also the cultural competencies to respond sensitively and appropriately to suspected or actual cases of FGM.

There is a great need for professionals to be able to access such training.

The Istanbul Convention will help ensure such training

Article 15 of the Istanbul Convention states that all countries that ratify the Convention must provide appropriate training for relevant professionals dealing with victims or perpetrators of all acts of violence against women, including FGM.

The Istanbul Convention would also help secure stronger action to prevent violence against women, which echoes a demand that FORWARD has been making for many years. Primary prevention means working with affected communities to shift the social norms they hold, and change their knowledge and attitudes towards all forms of VAWG, including FGM. To ensure that girls and women are protected from violence, community members have to be proactive in leading change in the social norms on protection, safeguarding and the rights of women and girls. If the UK Government ratified the Istanbul Convention, it would have a legal obligation to prioritise and adequately fund such work to safeguard the health, rights and dignity of women and girls.

During these 16 days of activism, FORWARD calls on the UK government to ratify the Istanbul Convention on violence against women and ensure that they take all steps to ensure that the letter and spirit of Article 15 is adhered to.

Take action now:

Sign the petition for the UK to ratify the Istanbul Convention

Support the work of FORWARD.