<p>AFRICAN WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER</p><p>Nawal M. Nour, MD, MPH, Director</p><p>MISSION The mission of the African Women's Health Center (AWHC) is to holistically improve the health of refugee women who have undergone female genital cutting (FGC). The Center provides access, understanding and community to women who have had long-term complications from this tradition and who seek access to improved reproductive health care. The Center’s goal is not only to educate African women on methods of stopping this practice, but also to educate American health providers on the cultural, health and legal issues pertaining to the practice.</p><p>Nawal M. Nour, MD, MPH opened the African Women’s Health Center in July 1999. The Center provides clinical care with one OB/GYN session per week for women who have undergone female genital cutting. Dr. Nour performs defibulation procedures (plastic reconstruction of the scar) to women who suffer the most severe form of FGC. The Center also focuses on research, community outreach and education nationally and internationally.</p><p>This year, the AWHC focused on the Somali adolescent population. We developed a 7-month course that informed and educated Somali girls (and their mothers) about reproductive and sexual health. We used a holistic approach to help them understand and respect their bodies and embrace their reproductive development. We worked with the community to develop a needs assessment tool to identify the topics that were to be addressed during the year. Topics covered were: female genital mutilation, body image (living as a circumcised girl/woman in the U.S.), sexuality in the United States compared with sexuality in Somalia, birth control methods, conflicts (often cultural clashes between teenagers and their parents) and pregnancy. These workshops were well attended and received excellent responses. We hope to continue this course in the coming year with girls from other parts of Africa.</p><p>ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN AY 2008-2009 . Conducted reproductive health workshops for African immigrants and refugees in the United States. . Conducted workshops for health providers on culturally competent care of women with FGC. . Conducted reproductive health workshops for Somali adolescent girls. . Collaborated with organizations to prevent and repair vesico-vaginal fistulas in Africa. . Collaborated with organizations that focus on stopping child marriages in Africa.</p><p>GOALS FOR AY 2009-2010 . Continue providing culturally competent care to circumcised women. . Continue offering reconstructive surgery. . Conduct reproductive health workshops for African adolescent girls. . Continue collaborating with African community-based organizations nationally and internationally. . Continue to work on preventing obstetric fistulas and child marriages.</p>