10 July 2014
28 Too Many joins the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices (IAC)
The IAC Executive Board has agreed 28Toomany as an affiliate member of the Inter-African Committee (IAC).
The IAC is an African regional umbrella body that has been working on policy programmes and actions to stop FGM in the African Region for the last 28 years. The IAC enjoys consultative status with the United Nations (UN/ECOSOC) and holds an observer status with the African Union. It works in partnership with UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF and is a member of the NGO network affiliated to the International Organisation of Francophone countries.
The mission of IAC is an African Region free of female genital mutilation and gender related harmful practices. Its two main objectives are to:
- prevent and eliminate traditional prectices that are harmful to or impede the health, human development and rights of women and girls and advocate for care for those who suffer the health consequences of harmful practices
- promote and support those traditional practices that improve and contribute to the health, human development and rights of women and children.
The headquarters of IAC is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where it is registered as a non profit organisation and it has a liaison office in Geneva. The IAC has national chapters, referred to as national committees, in 29 African countries. The IAC links to African population groups in the diaspora through its many affiliates throughout the world (Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Japan).
“We are delighted to join the IAC,” commented Dr Ann-Marie Wilson, Executive Director of 28 Too Many. “We support the work that the IAC have been doing for many years across Africa and diaspora communities to end all harmful traditional practices and FGM and child marriage in particular. 28 Too Many is dedicated to the elimination of FGM and we look forward to working with all IAC members and affiliates.”