The Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC) is an International non-governmental organization, created in February 1984, at a seminar in Dakar, Senegal. It started with 20 African countries. To date, the organization has National Committees in 28 African countries and Affiliates in 8 European countries, USA, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.

The Inter-African Committee (IAC) has its headquarters located within the premises of the UN Economic Commission For Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while a liason office is maintained in Geneva, Switzerland.

Structure

IAC is a membership organisation with National Committees in 28 African countries and 15 Affiliates/Group Sections in Europe, USA, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.

IAC enjoys Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), official relationship with WHO and Observer Status with the African Union (AU). It works closely with UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO, whom with IAC signed a Letter of Agreement for joint action in 2005. IAC also has consultative status with L'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and is a Board member of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO).

IAC headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while an international liaison office is maintained in Geneva, Switzerland for lobbying and fund-raising.The Executive Director of IAC is: Mrs. Berhane Ras-Work (Ethiopia)

The organisation is governed by a General Assembly which meets every three years. Members of the Executive Board are elected to serve for a period of three years.

The current Board members are:

Mrs. Mariam Lamizana (Burkina Faso) - President

Dr. Amna A.R. Hassan (Sudan) - Vice President (English-speaking)

Mrs. Sidibé Kadidia Maiga Aoudo (Mali) - Vice President (French-speaking)

Dr. Isatou Touray (Gambia) - Secretary General

Mrs. Comfort Effiom (Cameroon) - Treasurer

Mrs. Berhane Ras-Work, IAC Executive Director

Status

1986 - The IAC and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) signed a protocol of agreement on cooperation and assistance
1990 - The IAC Addis Ababa office was inaugurated as the Headquarters.
1993 - The IAC was granted consultative Status Category II by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
1994 - The IAC was accorded Observer Status by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now known as African Union (AU)
1995 - The IAC was granted official Status by the World Health Organization (WHO)
2000 - Letter of Agreement between UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, IAC
2009- Memorandum of Understanding with IOM