Through our outreach, we created a framework for African immigrant and refugee community-based organizations (CBOs) to address women's health and rights issues. We encourage CBOs and community leaders to integrate gender issues into their work and to collaborate with each other and with other agencies. The framework we created is being used both locally in the city and across the country.

To stem the tide of misinformation and sensationalization of the practice, we produced informational and educational materials on FC/FGC for the general public. SYCAW also facilitated inter-cultural dialogue and the exchange of information between immigrant communities, their service providers, and key policy makers.

At the policy level, we work actively with policymakers to generate position statements and appropriate policy and programs regarding the issue of FC/FGC in their constituencies. We have worked with government agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to create policies and program guidelines for addressing FC/FGC. We also assisted the New York State Department of health, Bureau of Women's Health as they developed their FC/FGC outreach activities and educational information.

Our women's empowerment programs in the community became models for addressing FC/FGC within the broader reproductive health and rights arena. We joined with local and national advocates to promote immigrant and refugee women's human rights. A t the international level, we developed a network of organizations working with African immigrant and refugee communities in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

From the Ground Up:
In New York City and across the United States, we are working to empower immigrant African women to agitate for, exercise, and protect their rights. Today, our work is directed by the belief that generating deep-rooted and sustainable social change and justice in any society requires the full participation of all its citizens.

SYCAW's programs and activities have expanded to include the following: Family Violence Prevention and Education Program, Reproductive Health, Women Rights, Capacity Building Program for immigrant African Women, FC/FGC Information and Documentation Center, and Cross-cultural training, seminars and outreach for service providers.

We hope you will join us in our efforts to amplify the voices of African women for their rights.

Zeinab Eyega
Executive Director