Protect our girls against Female Genital Mutilation! - African Action Day in Ghent | ICRH

On the International Day of Zero Tolerance against FGM, upcoming Saturday 7 February 2009, the African Action Day "Protect our girls!" will take place at De Centrale in Ghent. Protect our girls against FGM!

The non-profit organizations "Somalian-Belgian Social Integration" (SOBSI) and the "Gambian-Belgian Association" (GAMBEL) chose this day to highlight the problem of female genital mutilation (FGM) which affects young girls and women of both communities in Belgium. Visitors will get information about FGM directly from organizations which mission is to ban this traditional harmful practice and during workshops in Dutch, English and French they will be able to exchange experiences.

As from 18.00 PM four experts will talk about FGM from their background. ICRH will be represented by Director prof. Marleen Temmerman who will talk about the consequences of FGM for the sexual and reproductive health of girls and women. The human rights and religious perspectives will be given respectively by Mrs. Hennaert of Amnesty International and imam Laytouss. Mrs. Zahra Ali Cheik will talk about her own personal experiences related to FGM.

At 20.00 PM the musical program will start with concerts and a DJ which will show how Africa also has cheerful and rich traditions.

This event will take place at De Centrale, Kraankindersstraat 2, 9000 Ghent. Start at 14.30 PM