WOMEN'S PROGRAMS
Flourish Project
The Flourish project was launched in April 2018 and ends in March 2024 and is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The project is implemented by Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre (CHC) to engage, empower, and support women affected by FGM/C.
The objectives are to develop education and awareness-raising resources for survivors of FGM/C and healthcare and community service providers, strengthen support systems for survivors of FGM/C and those at risk through the implementation of the service providers’ framework and develop a sustainable virtual access pathway to support linkage to care and referral for survivors and women at risk aged 16 years and over.
Gender Based Violence (GBV)
This program aims to reduce social isolation of African senior women who are survivors of Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting (FGM/C) and their families in Toronto who experience increased isolation as a result of COVID-19 and provide them with resources and referrals for more specialized care.
They are assisted with medication, groceries and other essentials based on urgent needs each month.
Also, workshops teach participants the coping mechanisms of the effects of GBV and COVID-19, and provide them with knowledge on how to overcome emotional trauma caused by GBV.
GBV Shock Proofing
This project enables Uzima to review and adapt service approaches and programs to serve Black women and girls in Toronto. GBV increased during the pandemic and there is urgent need for Uzima to continue and expand the recently ended project on building the capacity of Uzima to support Black women during the pandemic.
Female Genital Mutilation
Since 2016, Uzima has been involved with researching the effects of female genital mutilation/cutting in Toronto’s African communities. The results can be found in the report translated into various languages.
Female Genital Cutting Awareness Program
Uzima is a member of “End FGM/C Canada Network”, a non-partisan group of individuals and organizations working to end female genital mutilation/cutting in Canada and globally.
The network organized awareness campaigns across Canada by applying for proclamations in cities across Canada to declare February 6 the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. Uzima participated in a virtual webinar on February 6 where a panel presented and young girls sent a message to the Prime Minister Trudeau to address FGM more seriously in Canada.