Strategies
MAWA executes its mission through four core strategies:
- research
- education
- advocacy, and
- programming.
A summary of each includes:
RESEARCH: Surveys, one-on-one and focus group discussions with African women to seek solutions to current areas of concern.
- PREMISE: We need to develop culturally appropriate responses for African women and girls, and the best way to do this is to insure that they have input into the process. This is done through surveying and focus groups. Publishing results is also an important element in educating the broader community. Finally, the need for verbal translators is great.
EDUCATION: training activities that serve to educate African women and non-Africans about the issues African women and girls face in the Twin City area.
- PREMISE: MAWA recognizes the fact that not only African organizations can adequately serve African refugee and immigrant women. However, in order to provide appropriate services and opportunities for integration for African refugee and immigrant women and girls, mainstream groups and other non-African cultures need to not only know and understand the issues African women face in the Twin Cities, but the cultural barriers, values, and practices that guide African women’s choices. African women need to understand how to navigate their present culture in seeking responses to their issues.
- a. Workshops, in-service trainings & conferences
- b. MAWA newsletter
ADVOCACY: assisting African refugee and immigrant women and girls access traditional (non-culturally specific) services.
- PREMISE: Rather than reinvent the wheel, MAWA recognizes that there are a wealth of resources that exist in the Twin City area, and as such, the agency sees itself as assisting African women and girls create bridges to these organizations.
- a. Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Legal.
- b. Interpretation/translation
PROGRAMMING: Strategic attempts on the part of MAWA to meet the needs of African refugee and immigrant women and girls when it’s been determined there is a gap in service.
- PREMISE: We need to develop culturally appropriate programming for African women and girls where programming gaps occur. Due to cultural taboos and norms, African women are reluctant to use certain existing services that are open to them as these contradict their cultural norms and upbringing. Current programming thrusts include:
- A monthly networking breakfast for African women
- A socialization and skills-building program for girls
- A socialization and skills-building program for African refugee and immigrant women.
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