AMANITARE 2002 Annual Awards

AMANITARE, the African Partnership for Sexual and Reproductive Health and
Rights of Women and Girls recently paid homage to two exceptional African
organisations taking significant strides forward in their work to promote
and
protect the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of young women and
girls in Africa.

At a recent AMANITARE skills development workshop held in Abuja, Nigeria,
the
AMANITARE 2002 Annual Award and the AMANITARE 2002 Resource Centre Grant
were
presented to the Edna Adan Ismail Maternity Hospital in Somaliland and
Journalists Against Aids (JAAIDS) in Nigeria, respectively.

The recipient of the AMANITARE 2002 Annual Award, Mrs.Edna Adan Ismail and
the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital, have revealed the pioneering spirit that
lies at the heart of translating African women's health rights into
effective
reality. In 1998, Edna Adan Ismail, an internationally renowned health
professional and former WHO representative, returned to her country of birth
to work with the local community and open the first not-for-profit private
maternity hospital in Somaliland. Working against the backdrop of a country
emerging from prolonged civil war, where health service infrastructures are
almost non-existent, Edna Adan Ismail personally contributed US$350,000 to
the development of this much-needed maternity hospital in the capital city
of
Hergeisa. The Edna Adan Maternity Hospital provides antenatal care and
supervised childbirth by trained midwives and doctors, acting also as an
educational and training centre for a new generation of nurses and midwives.
The hospital also hopes to undertake much-needed research on the
reproductive
health status of Somali women.

As a long-term activist for women's rights, Edna Adan Ismail has continued
her campaign to end the practice of female genital mutilation, primarily
through the counselling of families attending the hospital. In Somaliland,
infibulation (the severest form of female genital mutilation) affects almost
100% of women.

Mrs Edna Adan Ismail expressed her sincere appreciation for AMANITARE's
recognition. She said, "A hospital has a hundred and one needs and your
donation will certainly be put to good use". AMANITARE is very proud to be
supporting this brave and important initiative.

The AMANITARE 2002 Resource Centre Grant was awarded to JAAIDS (Journalists
Against Aids). JAAIDS is a well-structured and focused media-based NGO in
Nigeria. Launched in May 2001, JAAIDS works in the field of HIV/AIDS and
development, focusing on improving the environment for informed discourse
and
HIV/AIDS communication messages. Its variety of projects reveals the calibre
of commitment and professionalism that AMANITARE recognises and hopes to
emulate throughout Africa. JAAIDS projects include Monthly Media
Roundtables,
training workshops and seminars, an advocacy campaign on access to
treatment,
the AIDS News Service monthly bulletin and the Nigeria-AIDS eForum.

JAAIDS Project Director, Mr. Omololu Falobi, commented that the grant,
comprising various books, publications and other reference materials, would
increase their work on the promotion of women and girls' Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights. Mr. Falobi added that: "We are committing to
develop a section of our Media Resource Centre, in Lagos, to resources on
RHR
of women and girls". AMANITARE is proud to play a role in acknowledging
their
work and adding value to their knowledge resources.

Nikki Erasmus
Communications and Development Officer
RAINBO
Research, Action and Information Network for the Bodily Integrity of Women
Queens Studios
121 Salusbury Road
London NW6 6RG

Tel: +44 20 7625 3400
Fax: +44 20 7625 2999
E-mail: [email protected] [2]
Internet: http://www.rainbo.org [3]
http://www.amanitare.org [4]

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