HOW TO PUT AN END TO THE PRACTICE OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION?

How to put an end to female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice to which two million girls fall victim every year in the name of tradition? In an attempt to answer this question, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Département des Institutions de l'Etat de Genève (Department for Geneva State Institutions - DI), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices (IAC) are organizing a panel discussion on 6 February, International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Between 100 million and 140 million women - mostly in 28 African countries and others living as immigrants in Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the USA - have experienced genital mutilation. This ancient practice, which, contrary to popular belief, is not encouraged by any religion, exposes these young girls and women to irreversible health risks, especially with regard to their reproductive health, and jeopardizes their life and that of their unborn children.

The panel discussion on 6 February 2008, which will take place between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. at The House of Parliaments, IPU Headquarters in Geneva, will be moderated by EuroNews journalist Mohamed Abdel Azim, and will examine the various problems associated with FGM. An outline of initiatives taken at the local level will be presented by Ms. Fabienne Bugnon of the Division for the Promotion of Equality between Men and Women, state of Geneva. Parliaments' commitment to put an end to FGM will be presented by Ms. Kareen Jabre of IPU.

Ms. Madeleine Rees (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights) will elaborate on the question of female genital mutilation from the perspective of a human rights violation, while the issue of health-related problems will be addressed by Ms. Heli Bathija of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Mr. Abdoulaye Sow, a lecturer at the Faculty of Arts, University of Nouakchott (Mauritania) and head of a team of researchers on female genital mutilation, will explore the socio-cultural justifications that prevail among the populations that practise such mutilation.

Initiatives that can be taken by international organizations and civil society will be outlined by Ms. Ndioro Ndiaye (IOM) and Ms. Berhane Ras-Work (IAC). Ms. Alexandra Rosetti of UNICEF Switzerland will expound on the potential consequences of female genital mutilation for mothers and children during birth and post-partum. The conclusions of the panel discussions will be presented by Mr. Laurent Moutinot, President of the State Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and Mr. Anders B. Johnsson, Secretary General of the IPU. A press conference will follow immediately thereafter.