MAWA promotes the health and well-being of African refugee and immigrant women and their families in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul through research, education, advocacy and programming.

We are a pan-African women’s nonprofit organization providing services and programming of interest to women from all African countries living in Minnesota.

MAWA is governed by a board that is made up of African and American men and women who have remarkable perspective of the issues that face African women and their families in the Twin Cities.

At MAWA we believe in the advancement of African women. We believe change comes from within and do work that will lead to social and systems change.

AGILE
African Girls' Initiative for Leadership and Empowerment
Group photo at the 2008 Fashion Show

African Dressed Dolls

Second-hand Smoke Research Project

We have come a long way and we are now in the final stages of the project. In efforts to discover the extent at which African-born women, girls and children within the Twin Cities are affected by second hand smoke, MAWA and her collaborators conducted a second hand smoke research. The research findings will be used to raise awareness in the African immigrant community on the harmful effects of tobacco exposure among women, girls and children.

In efforts to collect information on the issue, the research was segmented into several stages. MAWA has completed four focus group discussions with African girls ages 14 through 18, interviews with 10 prominent African women in the community and a "Mid-Research Summit".

In addition to the above collection method, MAWA has successfully completed over 275 surveys of African women and girls in the metro area. The survey was a quantitative method of gathering additional information about African women and girl's exposure to second hand smoke.

Analysis of the survey is being completed by our partners at Wilder Research and findings will be revealed at the "Final Research Summit" in July. At the summit, we will debrief all findings and brainstorm ways to dispel second hand smoke exposure in the African Community. The summit will take place July 18, 2009 at a location soon to be announced. In addition to the important information that would be shared about second hand smoke during the summit, entertainment, food and other refreshments will be provided, as well as the opportunity to network.

Continue to check the website for further updates on the summit. If you have any questions, contact the Health Coordinator at mawa.health@yahoo.com or (612) 588-7666