The Inter-African Committee in Norway (Iac Norway ) is a European Affiliate of The Inter- African Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC) Which is an international and African regional umbrella body that has been working on policy programmes and actions to eliminate Harmful Traditional Practices in the African Region and worldwide. The Africans supported by the International Community created IAC in February 6th 1984, in Dakar. It was formed at a time when female genital mutilation was a highly controversial and a sensitive issue for discussion and there was a critical need for an African regional voice in an international campaign against FGM.
The Vision of IAC Norway is to see a society in which African women and children fully enjoy their Human Rights free from harmful traditional practices.
The Mission of IAC Norway is the promotion of gender equality and contribution to the improvement of the health status, social, economic, political, human rights and quality of life of African women and children through elimination of harmful traditional practices (HTPS) and the promotion of beneficial ones.
The guiding principle is Education, in order to bring a positive change of attitude and capacity building of affected communities.

Its two main objectives are to:
• Prevent and eliminate traditional practices that are harmful to or impede the health, human development and rights of women and girls and advocate for care for those who suffer the health consequences of harmful practices;
• Promote and support those traditional practices that improve and contribute to the health, human development and rights of women and children.
Besides FGM The Inter African Committee In Norway has for the past four years focused on the practice of Polygamy in Norway and its affects on the Reproductive Health of Women, Rights of Children born in Polygamous Homes in Norway and Psychological implications on the mental health of Norwegian Diasporian Women who find themselves in these marriages. The transnational nature of Polygamy is leading to divorce and break up in family structures in Norway and Iac Norway wishes to curb this disturbing trend. We hope through this seminar and through dialogue Bilateral relations can be set up between the Government of Norway and The Government of the Gambia to safe guide the Interest of Norwegian Gambians and their Children.
The headquarters of IAC is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where it is registered as a non-profit organisation and it has a liaison office in Geneva.
The Inter-African Committee enjoys consultative status with the United Nations (UN/ECOSOC) and holds an observer status with the African Union. It works in partnership with UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF and is a member of the NGO network affiliated to the International Organisation of Francophone countries. The IAC collaborates with several international organisations active in the field of the protection of women’s and children’s human rights.
The Inter-African Committee was awarded by UNFPA with the prestigious United Nations Population Award in 1995.