The Institute for the African Child is organizing a two day symposium on the African girl child. The conference will be a valuable forum for those interested or involved in research, policy, human rights or providing services to African families and children.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Nawal Nur, M.D., M.P.H. Instructor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Dr. Nour Dr. Nour received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1994 and completed a chief residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1998. She established an African women’s health practice that provides appropriate health and outreach programs to the African community in Boston. Her focus on health and policy issues regarding female circumcision/female genital mutilation, both locally and internationally is providing the much needed attention for African women in the area and throughout the United States. She was the primary author of a slide kit created to educate obstetricians-gynecologists on the medical management of circumcised women. Her pioneer health work with African women has won acclaim from the medical and other professions as well as the media. In 1999 Associated Press wired a story about her work and this year The New York Times featured her efforts in a major article.

We are interested in papers that address the following areas preferably from a gender and human rights perspective. We also hope to stress and hone the many and various possibilities found within local cultures and social norms that are beneficial to girls or that may be more effective if further developed into laws or just encouraged as indigenous powerful tools:

1. The African girl child and education:

• Changes in educational opportunities after Beijing Conference.
• The effect of civil society in creating opportunities.
• Curricula for girls schools and how they discriminate or prefer the girl child.

1. Family law and the African Child:

• Divorce of parents and its consequences for the girl child
• Early marriage and its effect on the health and status of girls.
• National and international rules against child marriage .

1. Social and Religious Issues Affecting the African Girl Child

• Social barriers and/or opportunities for girls development.
• Religious norms and their effect on girls social development.

1. Violence Against African Girl Child

• War and its effect on the girl child. This may address: refugee camps, after war disasters e.g. landmines, homelessness and adapting to new conditions and surroundings.
• Cultural practices and the violation of the rights of the girl child.
• Exploring the strength of local cultures: how do local cultures protect children. Why are local practices more, less effective for the protection of children

1. Poverty and the African Girl Child

• Globalization and the future of the African girl child.
• Street children: Reasons for the absence or presence of girls within this group of children.

Please send an abstract of not more than one page. If you would like to form a panel send a short proposal that contains the names of the panelists and the method of presentation.

Send contributions to:

Asma Abdel Halim
Institute for the African Child
Burson House
56 E. Union Street
Athens, OH 45701

E-mail: aa114488@oak.cats.ohiou.edu
See our web site: http://www.ohiou.edu/afrchild/

1. FIRST NAME:
2. LAST NAME (SURNAME):
3. affiliation:
4. MAILING ADDRESS:
5. TELEPHONE #
6. FAX #:
7. E-MAIL:

I would like to: ------ Form a panel ------- Present at one of the panels

Please include an abstract(s) and short bios of the presenter(s)

Registration fee is $ 35.00 You may enclose a check for the amount or pay at the symposium.