On February 6, 2019, the Prévenir & Protéger collective, which brings together several associations including Equipop, organized a unique event for the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at the Maison de Crowdfunding. The program included round tables and a pop-up museum to raise awareness among the general public, professionals, and diasporas to promote the abandonment of FGM.and diasporas to promote the abandonment of FGM.
In France, it is estimated that between 53,000 and 60,000 women have undergone FGM and that, each year, three out of ten girls and adolescents from countries where excision is practiced are at risk. FGM constitutes a violation of human rights and several associations have been committed for many years to promoting the abandonment of this practice, even though considerable efforts still need to be made.
Discussions with experts from France and West Africa
Through this event, various associations such as Equipop, GAMS, Excision parlons-en! (Let's talk about excision!), and Maison des Femmes de Saint-Denis (Saint-Denis Women's Center) spoke about the importance of diaspora engagement, the protection of children and adolescents, and reconstructive surgery. Building bridges between Africa and Europe to end FGM is also a necessity championed and defended by Equipop.
"Our mission is above all to defend the full and equal participation of women in the field of health and human rights."
Fatoumata Sangare
Many members of the Malian diaspora in France originate from from this region. It is therefore essential to build bridges between France and Mali in order to put an end to this practice. As Fatoumata told us, this is an approach that was taken, for example, by the brother of the village chief of Madina, who used his experience and influence to get his village to join the project and the process of abandoning the practice.
Several politicians also visited the site, including Hélène Bidard, Deputy Mayor of Paris for Gender Equality, who affirmed her commitment to combating FGM:
“Nothing can justify violence against women, as the Istanbul Convention reminds us.”
The Secretary of State for Gender Equality, Marlène Schiappa, was also present. She highlighted France's priorities for its G7 presidency in 2019. Gender-based and sexual violence are among these priorities, with FGM and child marriage at the top of the list.
Dive into the heart of a temporary museum combining discovery and awareness-raising
Throughout the day, the public was able to visit a temporary museum featuring video documentaries about MSF, a photo exhibition on a handover ceremony in Mali taken from the web documentary "Kayes Says No," and portraits of mediators of change living in France. Through these various media, the goal was once again to build bridges between Africa and Europe in order to showcase the diverse commitments of communities and diasporas. The clitoris modeling workshop organized by the GAMS Federation was a success and an opportunity for the public to (re)discover the clitoris!
A resounding success, this 15th International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM raised awareness of the work carried out by Equipop in West Africa and France, while also reaffirming the commitment of various sectors of civil society to ending the practice of female genital mutilation.
