Aspen FORWARD

Since July 2011 the Aspen Culture Project is now following new pastures and is delivering in the Tees Valley a new project under the name of Aspen FORWARD. This project is delivered in partnership with FORWARD (Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development), an African Diaspora women led UK charity dedicated to advancing and safeguarding the sexual and reproductive health and rights of African girls and women (http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/). The Aspen FORWARD is part of a youth led peer support programme, focusing on tackling issues related to sexual violence and particularly FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) as a practice affecting women’s health & well being. The Aspen FORWARD tackle those issues supporting the rights of children, girls and women with different activities including anti-FGM campaigning, events, workshops and trainings also offered to external agencies. A team of female young people (13-25 years) act as participants and youth advocates taking leadership on the activities and increasing their voices at the community level to advocate against FGM and sexual violence in the UK. If you wish to know more about the work with do or to get involved and inquire about opportunities for partnership work please get in touch with Sara Ganassin at sg@refugee.org.uk

Take also a look at the new Aspen FORWARD blog and follow us on FB. The blog gives information about the work we do against FGM and violence against girls and women. It is also a space to discuss and read articles about the issues we tackle with the project, so feel free to share your comments with you:

http://aspenforwardproject.wordpress.com/