Washington (news from the U.S. Department of State)
On Thursday, February 16, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted and delivered remarks at an event commemorating the Ninth Anniversary of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) at the Department of State.
Following the Secretary, Representative Joe Crowley (NY-07) also delivered remarks. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer moderated then a panel discussion with leading experts and activists dedicated to the global effort to eradicate FGM/C and to raise awareness of its negative consequences on women, girls, families, and societies. The discussion highlighted the importance of fostering community-based approaches and engaging religious leaders and the Diaspora community to encourage abandonment of this harmful traditional practice.
Panelists: Geeta Rao-Gupta, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF; Molly Melching, Founder and Director of the nongovernmental organization Tostan; Imam Mohamed Magid, President of the Islamic Society of North America; Thomas von der Osten-Sacken, General Manager of the German nongovernmental organization Association for Crisis Assistance and Development Co-operation (WADI);Nafissatou J. Diop Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations International Children’s Fund Joint Programme on FGM/C; and Zeinab Eyega, Executive Director of the Sauti Yetu Center for African Women.
You can watch the entire video here:
