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7 Feb 2012 - NPWJ News Digest on FGM & women's rights
NPWJ in the news
Journée internationale de tolérance zéro : Plaidoyer contre les mutilations génitales féminines
Jean-Baptiste Essis, Le Temps (Abidjan), 08 Feb 2012
La fondation Djigui la grande espérance Cnci-Af Côte d’Ivoire, du président Imam Cissé Djiguiba, a célébré, hier mardi 7 février 2012, au District d’Abidjan, la journée internationale de tolérance zéro aux mutilations génitales féminines. Pour le président de la Fondation, la question des mutilations génitales féminines était un sujet tabou. Mais elle est maintenant abordée avec l’implication de nouveaux acteurs tels que les exciseuses elles-mêmes, qui ont décidé d’accompagner le programme concocté par la fondation et cela dans le cadre du programme de démobilisation, désarmement et réorientation des exciseuses contre les Mgf depuis 2006. Celui-ci a fait savoir que, malgré ces actions et ces avancées, il existe encore des zones de résistance. Cependant, il demeure très confiant. Si la conjugaison des efforts entre les partenaires se poursuivent, il espère atteindre la tolérance zéro aux Mgf.
C’est d’ailleurs à cet effet que, l’imam Cissé Djiguiba se félicite du partenariat entre sa fondation, l’organisation mère, le Comité Inter Africain (Ci-Af), une Ong Italienne dénommée No Peace Without Justice et l’Ong «la palabre». Selon l’imam, ce partenariat a permis d’introduire un projet de résolution des Nations unies interdisant la pratique des mutilations génitales féminines dans le monde. D’où le thème de ce jour : «De Malobo à New York, soutenir la résolution de l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies interdisant les Mgf dans le monde». C’est d’ailleurs pour cette raison que le président Cissé Djiguiba va défendre son projet dans ce mois-ci, au siège des Nations unies à l’occasion de cette Assemblée générale. Plusieurs intervenants et des Ong sœurs ont appuyé les propos du président dans son plaidoyer. Cette cérémonie s’est déroulée en présence des Ambassadeurs de l’Italie, du Canada, des représentants du système des nations Unies, des Ong et de la représentante du ministère de la Famille, de la Femme et de l’Enfance.
Giornata mondiale contro le mutilazioni genitali femminili
Giovanna Fraccalvieri, New Notizie, 07 Feb 2012
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Italia. Per porre un punto alla pratica crudele dell’infibulazione, è stata istituita la “Giornata mondiale contro le mutilazioni femminili”. In tale ricorrenza, il ministro italiano degli Esteri, Giulio Terzi, ha affermato che «il 2012 puo' essere l'anno in cui la comunita' internazionale condanna con una risoluzione dell'Assemblea generale dell'Onu questa pratica barbara, fortemente lesiva della dignita' e dell' integrita' psico-fisica delle donne». Sempre nel nostro Paese, leader della campagna anti-infibulazione è la radicale Emma Bonino che da anni porta avanti, a fianco dell'organizzazione Non C'è Pace Senza Giustizia, una lotta politica per la cessazione delle mutilazioni genitali femminili. Grazie a questa iniziativa di civiltà, sono state raccolte firme per una sollecitazione di proibizione di questa pratica da presentare all'Assemblea Generale delle Nazioni Unite.
“From Kartong to Koina: Calling for a Law against FGM.”
Gamcotrap, The Daily News, 06 Feb 2012
The United Nations sets aside 6th February as a day to globally recognize the need to protect girls and women from all forms of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) dubbed “International Zero Tolerance to FGM Day”. Since the year 2003, members of a Regional body leading the campaign in Africa, known as The Inter Africa Committee on Traditional Practices (IAC) have been celebrating this Political commitment to protect girl children and women.
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Nearly 2,000 African communities end female genital mutilation
UN News Center, 07 Feb 2012
A new United Nations report shows that almost 2,000 communities across Africa abandoned female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) last year, prompting calls for a renewed global push to end this harmful practice once and for all.
According to the report, issued by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the total number of communities renouncing FGM/C has now reached 8,000 over the last few years.
Health, Rights Groups Demand Tougher Anti-FGM Laws
by Lisa Schlein, Voice of America, 07 Feb 2012
United Nations, international and human rights organizations are calling for an end to female genital mutilation and appealing for tougher legislation to halt the practice on the Ninth International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
FGM, a practice which dates back thousands of years, persists despite widespread recognition of its harmful physical and psychological effects on girls and women.
Millions have undergone Female Genital Mutilation
Ghana Web, 07 Feb 2012
Statistics at the World Health Organization (WHO), indicate that an estimated number of 140 million girls in the world have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Mrs Florence Ali, President of the Ghana Association for Women’s Welfare (GAWW) who disclosed this, said female genital mutilation is a violation of several human rights including the right to life, physical integrity and that three million girls and women are at risk of being subjected to the practice.”
Comprehensive legislative and preventive efforts needed to end FGM
Africa News, 06 Feb 2012
A coalition of human rights organisations has called for the adoption of more human-rights based legislation to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC) and the Geneva Human Rights Office, made the call as the world marked the 9th International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation.
African immigrant girls face sexual mutilation threat
Deccan Herald, 06 Feb 2012
In Spain, thousands of African immigrant girls are facing the danger of becoming victims of female genital mutilation, an ancestral practice that sub-Saharan immigrants have brought with them and which several NGOs and public agencies are fighting to eradicate.
Senegalese, Malian and Nigerian girls, among others, are the ones whose traditions include removing the clitoris and vaginal labia as part of the ritualistic passage to adulthood, to maintain good hygiene, keep them chaste and desirable to males, according to their beliefs.
My battle against female genital cutting
by Sister Fa, The Guardian, 06 Feb 2012
I have been very lucky in my life. My music and creativity have opened doors for me and allowed me to express myself, but this is not true for so many others in my home country, Senegal. We talk about women and girls being "the new opportunity" for Africa, but how does this happen in practice? For me, it is firstly about understanding the life of an African girl and what she really goes through. I want to share my story so that others can still continue to reach for hope.
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We must strive to eliminate FGM
Monitor, 06 Feb 2012
As Uganda joins the rest of the world to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), we must recognise that despite a sustained effort to rid this country of the brutal practice, FGM remains deeply rooted among some communities.
On this day of Zero Tolerance to FGM, observed each year on February 6 to raise awareness, key challenges facing the fight against FGM must be identified and tackled. Despite passing of a legislation that outlawed FGM in 2010 and efforts by UN agencies like UNFPA and UNICEF, there are still stumbling blocks to total elimination of this practice.
Tanzania: Centre Sets Agenda On Gender Based Violence
By Pius Rugonzibwa, AllAfrica, 06 Feb 2012
A national centre which will conduct research and publish information, statistics and documentation on Gender Based Violence (CBV) has been established.
The move follows the country's plan as well as call by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) in 2003 to member states in the Great Lakes region to strengthen action in favour of women and children living in conflict zones.
Opening a stakeholder's workshop on the establishment of the National Centre at the weekend in Arusha, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children Ms Anna Maembe said the Centre would be housed at Tengeru Community Development Training Institute (CDTI).
Using performing arts to end Violence against Women in Papua New Guinea
UNWomen, 03 Feb 2012
Dramatizing violence! That’s the motto of the community-based Seeds Theatre Group to address violence against women and girls in the densely populated communities of the Lae District in the Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.
The group consists primarily of unemployed youth and uses theatre as a powerful tool to raise awareness in urban communities with high risks of HIV/AIDS, crime and drugs. Funded through UN Women’s Pacific Fund to End Violence against Women, the Seeds Theatre Group held 42 performances in January in public areas, including markets, bus stops and public neighbourhoods.