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| Background |
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BWHAFS
is a UK based non-profit organisation, established in 1982 by a group of women mostly from the Somali community. Generally, BWHAFS works to promote the good health and general well being of black women in the UK, in Africa and around the world.
More specifically, BWHAFS provides an extensive range of services to the community at grassroots level, including: counselling and language assistance, educational support and school exclusion programmes, drug and HIV/AIDS prevention, advice on domestic violence and health promotion classes, work with the elderly, the unemployed, single mothers and young people. Conferences and workshops are held, discussion groups and seminars facilitated, education materials are translated, social work support given and newsletters, leaflets, posters and a variety of publications produced. In addition to this community-based work in the UK, BWHAFS has recently extended its reach internationally with the establishment of a health and educational centre, providing much needed services in Somaliland. The organisation has developed links with many other agencies across East Africa, Europe and North America and is proud to be an integral part of a growing international network of campaigning organisations, committed to working together towards the eradication of FGM, and improving the conditions of women in general.
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Image: Leaflet stand at our International conference
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BWHAFS is one of the key players working on the issue of Female Genital Mutilation in the UK. Active at all levels, the organisation's work spans everything from policy and strategy planning with international agencies; collaboration on Parliamentary reports in Britain and Europe; data research in partnership with universities and statutory agencies to counselling, advocacy and health education work with practising communities at the local level. One recent initiative that has proved to be particularly successful is the Xanaano Young Girls Project. It has managed to build the confidence and self esteem of young African girls, through traditional dance and drama classes, health sessions and educational training, and encouraged them to actively participate and get involved in the fight against FGM. |
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Whilst BWHAFS meets numerous needs amongst the community, our organisation believes that the complex issue of FGM is one of paramount importance. Having extensive knowledge of the attitudes and customs of communities who practice FGM, as well as expertise of working at the grassroots level, the approach used to tackle FGM differs from that of many other organisations whose valuable work at policy level is often not accompanied by grassroots education programmes. By staying in daily contact with the communities which practice FGM, we are best able to fully understand the concerns and resistance mounted when it comes to abandoning a practice so deeply entrenched in culture and history. BWHAFS's primary methodology, therefore, is to campaign against FGM based on the fullest involvement of the women concerned and a strong relationship, based upon trust, with the practising community. As an organisation, we believe in creating a climate of openness and honesty whereby our clients are aware that our commitment to child protection is paramount. |
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During the last ten years of the campaign against FGM in Britain, BWHAFS has seen a significant shift in the attitudes of the practising community towards the practice. Before the education programmes of organisations like BWHAFS were set up, the issue was avoided or resistance and scepticism were shown towards those advocating for change. However, after many years of sensitisation programmes and workshops held within the community by BWHAFS, a growing number of people are now prepared to listen, and even speak out about FGM and related health problems. With the support and education provided by BWHAFS, many families are now deciding not to circumcise their daughters - the organisation has recorded around a thousand cases of families in Britain who have taken this decision over the last twenty years. However, the organisation is aware that approximately the same number of girls have been taken abroad to be circumcised within the same period. Many parents are unsure about which route to take, and increasingly few are still strong believers in the practice and need a considerable amount of education in order to change their minds.
Image: Two women and baby at one of our FGM workshops
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BWHAFS became aware, after many years of experience working directly within the Somali community in Britain, that an issue of prime importance in the eradication of FGM is the current situation in Somalia and Somaliland. It has gradually become clear to us that FGM will never be totally eliminated in the UK, without taking into account the current view of the tradition, and developments in the situation, 'back home.' |
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With this in mind, during a site visit in 1994 to fifteen villages in Somaliland, BWHAFS took the opportunity to support local activists in the campaign to prevent FGM, after finding a significant number of women and men were prepared to stand in opposition to the practice. During subsequent visits, a sister organisation - Barako Family Health and Education Centre - was founded in the town of Burco, to take a similarly holistic and grassroots approach to eradicating FGM, and to link developments in the campaign with the diaspora community in London. After nearly two decades of political upheaval and conflict, there is currently a peaceful and optimistic situation in Somaliland, and people are working together towards the country's reconstruction and regeneration. Public facilities are being rebuilt, local women's organisations are being newly formed and overall, the community is highly receptive to plans for positive social change. In 2001, BWHAFS held an international forum in Somaliland to bring together Somalis and other Africans, from all over East Africa and diaspora communities in Europe, in order to capitalise on the growing campaign against FGM within the country, and strengthen international unity and resistance.
Image: Shamis in Somaliland in front of the Barako Centre
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The overall objective of BWHAFS is to continue to take a wide ranging approach towards the eradication of all forms violence against women, including FGM, and to improve the quality of life, health, educational standard and well being of women around the world.
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