Desert Flower Africa Commemorate International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at Newton Community
Desert Flower Africa has commemorated the International Day of Zero Tolerance on female Genital Mutilation in the Newton community.
The theme for has commemoration is – Partnership with men and boys to transform Social and Gender norms to End FGM.
The celebration brought different speakers who admonished the pupils especially girls.
Mrs. Wuyatta Gender, the Dessert flower foundation Supervisor stirred the entire program with a remarkable welcome Address, the opening remarks was done by Mr. Bamie Sam (Project Coordinator) who explained to the pupils about the event and what Dessert Flower is all about.
Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, the president of Dessert flower foundation Africa, explains to the pupils the life of Waris Dirie and what urged her to start the Dessert flower foundation.
Fr. Konteh described the 7 demands from Waris in other to End FGM while advising the parents to treat their children like princess whenever they have a successful school result, like they do when they undergo FGM.
Nurse Mariama and Aunty Aminata from the FSU deliberated on the effects of FGM and how it could even lead to death. They cheered up the pupils with a Slogan “No to FGM”
Mrs. Philomena Wuya Charles, vice principal of the St. Francis Primary School made an addendum to what have been said by earlier speakers all pinpointing the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation and pleaded with the parents to allow their children to have their free will and not force them into the bondo society.
Since the Theme for this year’s celebration was the inclusiveness of Boys and Men, the Keynote Speaker, Mr Brima, the line manager of Newton police post happens to make a good choice for that celebration.
In his statement Mr. Brima thanked all the previous speakers and like all the other speakers, he emphasised the importance of joining hands to fight FGM as he rightly mentions that it is a genuine cause for the protection of women and girls.
He sends a wider message to the world and particularly talks to the men and boys that were present at the event to serve as a shield for the protection of their daughters and their sisters.
He further deliberated on Bleeding as a major effect of FGM while sighting a painful experience that his niece went through; bleeding to death in the village during the FGM process.
Mr. Brima urged each desert Flower Beneficiary and all girls present to report to the nearest police station if they notice their parents want to force them into FGM as the law will take appropriate action against them.
Dignitary Kits including Sanitary pad, paste, brush, washer, comb, panties, bathing soap, Vaseline and washing bags were distributed to each beneficiary of Dessert flower foundation and even to other girls who were part of the event. The event was climaxed by the distribution of Sponsorship funds to Desert Flower beneficiaries followed by refreshment and a closing prayer that was done by Rev. Father David who hosted the activity and contributed towards making the event a success.
#Thankyoucaritas
#ThankyouWarisDirie
