International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation and Forced/Early Marriages

The International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation and Forced/Early Marriages, organized by the European Network for the Prevention of Harmful Traditional Practices (EuroNet-FGM), was held on 8-11 February 2007.
 
The conference focused on two harmful traditional practices that have been brought to Europe with increasing migration and that have become a priority issue: female genital mutilation and early/forced marriage. One day was dedicated to discussions on how to involve young people in the prevention of these harmful traditional practices, and another day was used for a round-table with medical doctors on the topic of “genital repair operations”. The final day of the conference provided a forum for discussion with international organizations and policy makers.
 
The conference has been organized with the help of the Ministry of Equal Opportunities of Wallonia (Belgium), the Secretary of State, Brussels Region (Belgium), the Flemish Ministry of Health (Belgium), the Directorate General of Development Cooperation (Belgium), Jo Bryant Trust (UK), Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe – ALDE, No Peace Without Justice (Italy), International Centre for Reproductive Health (Belgium).
 
EuroNet-FGM was created in 2002 and brings together 30 organisations from throughout Europe which work towards the improvement of the health of female immigrants in Europe and towards the prevention of harmful traditional practices affecting the health of women and children, in particular female genital mutilation.
 

 
Program

International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation and Forced/Early Marriages
February 8 – 11, 2007: EuroNet-FGM, Brussels
 
Thursday, 8 February, 2007: Internal Affairs
Conference venue : Palais des Académies, Rue Ducale 1, 1000 Brussels
 
10:00 to 10:15
Opening of internal business meeting of EuroNet-FGM by Ms Khady Koita, President EuroNet-FGM
 
10:15 to 11:00
Presentations of activity and financial report 2004-2006, Ms Els Leye and Ms Gerda Nienhuis
 
11:00 to 12:00
Discussion with Member Organisations on EuroNet-FGM operational issues: Khady’s proposal, Statutes, Working Groups, Newsletters, Communication
 
12:00 to 13:00
Voting and election of new Board
 
13:00 to 14:30
Lunch Break
 
14:30 to 14:45
Welcome and introduction

14:45 to 15:45
Presentation of upcoming Daphne project of EuroNet-FGM: Developing national plans of action to eliminate  FGM in Europe, by Els Leye
 
15:45 to 16:45
Presentation of campaign by Marc Dacosse, RESPECT
 
18:00 to 20:00
Evening Reception hosted by the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ)
 
Friday, 9 February 2007: Workshop sessions
09:45 to 10:00
Introduction to workshops
 
10:00 to 13:00
Workshop I: Developing strategies to involve young people
Chair: Ms Zahra Siad Naleie, FSAN, The Netherlands
Facilitator: Ms Leyla Hussein, Youth outreach worker UK
 
- Presentations by experts (background papers):
Ms Leyla Hussein; Ms Agnes Verhulst (Pharos, Netherlands)
- Discussion by workshop participants
- Formulation of recommendations
 
13:00 to 14:00
Lunch Break

14:00 to 17:00
Workshop 2: Developing strategies to tackle early and forced marriage
Chair: Ms Adwoa Kwateng-Kluvitse, FORWARD, UK
Facilitator: Ms Isabelle Gillette-Faye, GAMS, France

- Presentations by experts (background papers): Justine Rocherieux, France; Adwoa Kwateng-Kluvitse, UK
- Discussion by workshop participants
- Formulation of recommendations
 
Saturday, 10 February 2007: Reconstructive surgery for women with FGM
Conference venue: Hotel Chambord, Rue de Namur 82, Brussels
 
10:00 to 11:30
Presentation of workshop recommendations by workshop rapporteurs
 
11:30 to 12:00
Discussion and follow-up on recommendations
 
12:00 to 13:30
Lunch Break
 
13:30 to 13:45
General introduction by Prof Dr Marleen Temmerman, Director International Centre for Reproductive Health

13:45 to 14:15
Presentation by Prof Henry Jean Philippe, CHU Nantes, France

14:15 to 14:45
Presentation by Dr Harry Gordon, UK
 
14:45 to 15:15
Presentation by Dr Touré, Mali
 
15:15 to 15:45
Presentation by Prof Dr Jean Jacques Amy, A Z V U B, Belgium
 
15:45 to 16:15
Presentation by Dr Rock Goerdin, Wellness Clinic Genk, Belgium
 
16:15 to 17:00
Panel discussion with Prof Dr JJ Amy, Dr Harry Gordon (UK), Prof Dr M Temmerman, Dr Fl. Toulemonde, Dr Henry, Dr. M Touré (Mali), Prof Sureau (France), Prof Milliez (France), Rock Goerdin (Belgique)

Facilitator: Ms. Comfort Momoh, FGM/Public health specialist, UK
 
Sunday, 11 February 2007: Linking with international partners
Conference venue: Hotel Chambord, Rue de Namur 82, 1000 Brussels
 
10.00 to 10.30
Ms Brigitte Grouwels, Secretary of State of Belgium, Brussels Municipality

10.30 to 11.00
Dr Nawal El Sadaawi, Egypt, writer
 
11:00 to 11:30
Ms Victorine Odounlamy, President The Inter African Committee for the Eradication of Harmful Traditional Practices

11:30 to 12:00
Ms Ingrid Bellander Todino, The Daphne Programme on Violence against Women and Children, European Commission

12:00 to 12:30
Ms Francesca Monetti, UNICEF, “Changing a Harmful Social Convention: recent findings and new developments"

12:30 to 13:00
Ms Nathalie Gilson, Parliament of Brussels
Ms Alvilda Jablonko, “Developing a legal, political and social environment to promote and ensure the human rights of women and girls and the abandonment of FGM”, FGM Program, No Peace Without Justice

13:00 to 13:30
Ms Gisela Mandaila, Secretary of State for Families and Disabled Persons, “Actions in Belgium towards the Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation
 
13:00 to 13:30
Closing of the General Assembly