February 6 has been designated by the UN and UNICEF as “International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation”.
As every year since 2009, the City of Nice, which is highly involved in fighting against discrimination, and the association Génération Femmes d’Afrique et d’Ailleurs (GFAA) organize an awareness evening: An opportunity to inform and denounce an ancient practice that destroys many women.
The program for this free and open-to-all evening includes:
The screening of the movie “Desert Flower”, readings of a testimony from a young woman who underwent female genital mutilation, and a presentation on reconstructive surgery by Professor André BONGAIN, Head of Department at Archet Hospital.
A petition for the abolition of female genital mutilation will be launched during this evening.
It will subsequently be submitted to Adèle Safi KAGARABI, Universal Peace Ambassador, Advocate for women victims of sexual violence in Africa, Woman of Gold 2011 from the City of Nice, and Godmother of the 7th Francophone Games, which will take place in Nice, from September 5 to 16, 2013. The International Organisation of La Francophonie has taken a strong stance against this practice for many years.
