[vc_row][vc_column][nd_options_focus nd_options_layout=”layout-7″ nd_options_image=”1897″ nd_options_title=”As an African women-led group, we have decided to disrupt and dismantle mediocrity now” nd_options_subtitle=”Here’s why.”][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”20″][nd_options_text nd_options_text_tag=”h2″ nd_options_text=”Naimah Hassan is a London-based leader and women’s rights activist. She has been involved in the international development area for 13 years and is specialized in media, campaigning, advocacy and communications. She also serves as a program director at the global media campaign to end FGM and a champion for African women’s rights as well.”][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”20″][vc_column_text]Being identified as an African and a woman in an already binary, complex world driven by toxic masculinity, racial biases, systemic injustices and inequality places African women and girls among the most disadvantaged demographic in this world.
Over the years, many incredible people and organizations have worked to eradicate these injustices against African women through policies and investments that are indeed saving many lives.
Working in the development sector and space for the last 13 years, I’ve often struggled to reconcile relationships between local organizations, intermediaries (NGOs), and donors. Knowing fully well that the roles of local organizations as implementers of projects and programs removes them from the essential process of being involved in the design process.
I’ve been directly involved in awareness campaigns for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) for the past five years. Despite seeing a lot of wins and successes from a campaigning perspective; the singularity of focus on FGM also meant that a lot of primary needs a girl will need to fully thrive have either been neglected or ignored – this is largely due to policies, funding and programming mostly not being driven by affected communities who may have competing priorities like poverty.
Such scenarios, for example, might require them to trade off their 14-year-old daughter’s education for harmful traditions like mutilation and marriage. Moreover, the growing middle class and African philanthropists gives more space for us to invest in our issues – this is ultimately how we can truly transform and create thriving realities we want to see.
That’s why at AWRA, we believe that survival or escape alone are not enough. We aim to THRIVE!
We, as an African women-led group, have decided to disrupt and dismantle mediocrity NOW, so that grassroots led, solution-based social campaigns transform policies, narratives and actions for African women and girls everywhere to thrive in a safer, a more secure, economically and culturally rich society.
African Women Rights Advocates is a community of like-minded leaders, informers , influencers and investors working together for African women and girls everywhere to flourish by celebrating rich and diverse African cultures, eradicating harmful traditions, and instilling positive values and beliefs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Here’s why AWRA has decided to disrupt the NGO space now
[vc_row][vc_column][nd_options_focus nd_options_layout=”layout-7″ nd_options_image=”1897″ nd_options_title=”As an African women-led group, we have decided to disrupt and dismantle mediocrity now” nd_options_subtitle=”Here’s why.”][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”20″][nd_options_text nd_options_text_tag=”h2″ nd_options_text=”Naimah Hassan is a London-based leader and women’s rights activist. She has been involved in the international development area for 13 years and is specialized in media, campaigning, advocacy and communications. She also serves as a program director at the global media campaign to end FGM and a champion for African women’s rights as well.”][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”20″][vc_column_text]Being identified as an African and a woman in an already binary, complex world driven by toxic masculinity, racial biases, systemic injustices and inequality places African women and girls among the most disadvantaged demographic in this world.
Over the years, many incredible people and organizations have worked to eradicate these injustices against African women through policies and investments that are indeed saving many lives.
Working in the development sector and space for the last 13 years, I’ve often struggled to reconcile relationships between local organizations, intermediaries (NGOs), and donors. Knowing fully well that the roles of local organizations as implementers of projects and programs removes them from the essential process of being involved in the design process.
I’ve been directly involved in awareness campaigns for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) for the past five years. Despite seeing a lot of wins and successes from a campaigning perspective; the singularity of focus on FGM also meant that a lot of primary needs a girl will need to fully thrive have either been neglected or ignored – this is largely due to policies, funding and programming mostly not being driven by affected communities who may have competing priorities like poverty.
Such scenarios, for example, might require them to trade off their 14-year-old daughter’s education for harmful traditions like mutilation and marriage. Moreover, the growing middle class and African philanthropists gives more space for us to invest in our issues – this is ultimately how we can truly transform and create thriving realities we want to see.
That’s why at AWRA, we believe that survival or escape alone are not enough. We aim to THRIVE!
We, as an African women-led group, have decided to disrupt and dismantle mediocrity NOW, so that grassroots led, solution-based social campaigns transform policies, narratives and actions for African women and girls everywhere to thrive in a safer, a more secure, economically and culturally rich society.
African Women Rights Advocates is a community of like-minded leaders, informers , influencers and investors working together for African women and girls everywhere to flourish by celebrating rich and diverse African cultures, eradicating harmful traditions, and instilling positive values and beliefs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The Author
Naimah Hassan