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| The Organisation's Black Perspective |
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BWHAFS works for 'change without denigration' within the black community; promoting the eradication of harmful practices such as female genital mutilation with an approach that is sensitive to the cultural and social perspective of the communities themselves. The organisation aims for black people to take control of their lives, write their own histories and plan their own futures. We believe in providing a platform for primarily black women and their families to share their experiences and achievements, and together find a way forward.
The empowerment of the black community is of prime importance for the organisation. The fact that there is a mainstream debate and the black community is able to air their views, is partly due to black women taking the lead, with organisations such as BWHAFS, and acting as catalysts in the process of black empowerment.
Image: Change Without Denigration Conference 1994
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LINKING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS |
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The organisation endeavors to support the struggle, and promote the work, of other black organisations by sharing knowledge and expertise. This is acquired through personal experiences of women at the grassroots level, or through our link-working with other organisations throughout London, the UK and internationally. BWHAFS has a strongly held conviction that many strong and successful black organisations are needed in order to struggle against racism and oppression at all levels in society; in other words, ' a grove of trees can weather the storm better than a single tree!'
The main focus of BWHAFS is a holistic approach to the struggle against FGM, and to improve black women's wellbeing generally; however, it does not seek to exclude men. Black women in western societies have to fight both sexism and racism, so in order to fight the latter effectively, black people must unite together. In addition, FGM is a cultural practice that men in practicing communities expect of their women, but also something that women see as a prerequisite of their femininity. Eradication of the practice, therefore, will need the co-operation of both sexes in consciousness raising about the detrimental effects of the practice. Men can have a powerful role in promoting the harmful effects of FGM. As Shamis Dirir, BWHAFS director, says, 'I believe if the religious leaders were to stand up today to preach against the practice it would stop in no time at all'.
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CAMPAIGNING FOR RESOURCES |
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BWHAFS campaigns for resources and services that are geared towards the specific needs of black people. For example, anti-natal clinics that employ staff who have awareness and understanding of the implications of FGM, as well as interpreting and counseling services. Statutory organizations such as Social Services, the Police, Education Authorities and the Health Service, have been encouraged to make training accessible to their staff in order to promote awareness of the effects of FGM and so be able to accord the victims the high level of sensitivity required.
BWHAFS believes that the government has a duty to provide the resources needed for work within the community as a matter of urgency, with the process of awareness raising being led by black people, in particular black women's groups as best placed to reach the women involved. We also believe that the lack of uniformity in relation to policy and guidelines within Local Authorities in dealing with FGM -related issues, especially in relation to child protection, should be addressed as a matter of urgency. This idea lead to the formulation of a 'Strategy Group on FGM'; membership of which is drawn from the statutory agencies, the voluntary sector and members of FGM-practicing communities. The main aim is to act as a link between the statutory agencies and the community, especially with regard to child protection issues.
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