|
250
West 57th Street, #1527, New York, NY 10107 • Phone: (212) 586-0906/Fax:
(212) 586-1611/Email: info@equalitynow.org |
|
250
West 57th Street, #1527, New York, NY 10107 • Phone: (212) 586-0906/Fax:
(212) 586-1611/Email: info@equalitynow.org
EQUALITY NOW
Africa Office: PO Box 2018 KNH, Nairobi, Kenya • Phone: (254) 2-271
9913/Fax: (254) 2-271 9868/Email: equalitynownairobi@equalitynow.org
NEW
YORK: NOVEMBER 15, 2002 Brave
Young Kenyan & Ethiopian Activists Tour New York, Los
Angeles and Santa Fe
to
Share Their Vision of Equality with Young
Americans
MEDIA
ADVISORY
HONORING
YOUTH WHO HAVE SAID NO TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
(FGM)
CELEBRATING THE POWER OF THE INDIVIDUAL ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
(DEC. 10)
|
WHO Edna and Beatrice Kandie, sisters who at ages 17 and 15, respectively, secured an historic court ruling in Rift Valley Province, Kenya, prohibiting their father from subjecting them to FGM. Ken Wafula, Founder and Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (CHRD), in Eldoret, Kenya. Genet Girma and Addisie Abosie, a courageous young couple from Kembatta, Ethiopia, who publicly declared their opposition to FGM in a groundbreaking marriage ceremony, broadcast on national Ethiopian television. The bride was first in her community to marry "uncircumcised." Bogaletch Gebre, Founder and Director of the Kembatta Women's Self-Help Center (KMG), in Kembatta, Founder Parents International Ethiopia, in California. |
|
WHAT Equality Now is bringing these activists for a U.S. tour, to raise funds and highlight their work to end FGM. The group will make various media appearances and visit high schools in New York City, Los Angeles and Santa Fe. |
|
WHEN AND WHERE New
York, NY: December 9, 10, 11 |
|
BACKGROUND Equality Now, an international human rights organization, has been working since 1992 to end all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls, including the practice of FGM. In 2000, Equality Now created the FGM Fund for Grassroots Activism to support organizations in Africa working to end FGM, including CHRD and KMG. Human rights activist Ken Wafula set a world precedent when he used the courts successfully to seek protection for the Kandie sisters after they fled the practice of FGM. In 2001, Equality Now sponsored a speaking tour in rural Kenya for the Kandie sisters to talk to students about their legal victory and the dangers of FGM. The tour inspired others; to date, Ken Wafula has helped 17 other girls successfully take action to get court protection from FGM. Bogaletch Gebre has played a lead role as the initiator of the anti-FGM advocacy and education campaign in rural Ethiopia, inspiring and educating entire communities. Genet Girma and Addisie Abosie courageously defied both their families and tradition by publicly opposing FGM in their wedding ceremony where the bride wore a placard saying, "I am not circumcised. Learn from me." Similarly, the groom wore one stating, "I am very happy to be marrying an uncircumcised woman." Hundreds of guests also wore placards against FGM. In communities where it is practiced and where a girl who has not undergone FGM is considered "unmarriageable," these young activists have made history and are leading by example. To schedule an interview, contact Alicia Gordon: (212) 586-0906/agordon@equalitynow.org. |
|
EQUALITY NOW WORKS FOR THE CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD |