African Women's Organization

The NGO "African Women's Organization" was founded in 1996 by African women from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt and other African countries. The aim is to support African migrant women in all areas for successful and rapid integration in Austria in cooperation with other NGOs as well as government agencies and offices. The focus is on counselling and support for FGM victims and persons at risk of FGM.

In the past, FGM was a taboo subject in the African community and not publicly known in Austria. Through years of continuous awareness campaigns, events, studies, research, projects and publications on the subject of FGM, the African Women's Organisation has contributed greatly to raising public awareness in Austria and internationally. It has also raised awareness of the issue in the African communities and created a network of organisations concerned with the issue.

Membership is open to all who are interested in the welfare of women.

Main objectives:

• Creating awareness and appreciation of the various political, economical, social and traditional problems women face in different societies.
• Creating and promoting understanding and accommodation among different cultures and societies in the community.
• Assisting and providing consultancy in the integration of immigrant women.
• Promotion of good and beneficial cultures and traditions.
• Campaigning against harmful traditional practices affecting the health of women and children.
• and many more

Programmes

• Integration and promotion of culture: The Organization carries out cultural exchanges, traditional shows, exhibitions, seminars, discussions to implement this programme.
• Campaign against harmful traditional practices: Since 1998 the campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM) became the organization’s area of priority. Its aim is through awareness and change of values prevent its practice among immigrant population originating from FGM risk countries.
  
  

Activities include

• Updating the status of FGM practice among immigrants in Austria.
• Creating awareness and understanding of the nature and magnitude of the problem both among the local community and immigrants. It is a continuous and target specific exercise and addresses various aspects of FGM: origin and justification, health and medical consequences, political, legal, social and cultural aspects.
• Provide information and resource material to students, researchers and media people.
• Counselling for FGM victims.
• To provide the FGM training kit and train trainers.
• Strengthen communication and cooperation with FGM European network.
  
  

Membership and cooperation

The African Women’s Organization is a sector of the Inter-African Committee and its representative in Austria.
It is a member of the European FGM Network.