"Soul Gazers: Engaging Men for the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting"

Monsieur le Représentant permanent adjoint de la Norvège,
Monsieur le Premier conseiller du Burkina Faso,
Madame la Conseillière de la Suisse,
Madame la Directrice du FNUAP à Genève,
Mesdames et Messieurs les Ambassadeurs,
Mesdames et Messieurs,

C’est avec grand plaisir que je vous accueille aujourd’hui au Palais des Nations pour une exposition exceptionnelle. Je tiens tout spécialement à remercier les Missions permanentes du Burkina Faso, de la Suisse et de la Norvège pour l’organisation de cet événement qui met en lumière la lutte contre la pratique des mutilations génitales féminines et l’excision. Il souligne également le rôle clef des hommes dans ce combat.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
Female genital mutilation of any type has been recognized by the United Nations as a harmful practice and a violation of the human rights of girls and women. These rights include: the principles of equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, the right to life when the procedure results in death, and the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. As the procedure is mainly carried out on girls before they have reached the age of fifteen, it also constitutes a violation of the rights of the child. It is recognized as a form of violence against girls and women, with physical and psychological consequences and also as an impediment to the achievement of a number of the Millennium Development Goals.

Action taken at international, regional and national levels over the past decade or more has begun to see results. In some areas the prevalence of this practice has decreased. Increasing numbers of women and men from practising groups have declared support for its discontinuation. However, the reduction has not been as substantial as hoped for. Therefore, the work against female genital mutilation must be intensified to more effectively counteract the reasons behind its continuation. The United Nations plays a crucial role in providing international standards and promoting and undertaking research in this area. It also is well placed to promote cooperation and coordination, as well as technical and financial support to international and national initiatives. This work is essential to achieve the common goal of ending female genital mutilation.

Mesdames et Messieurs,
Genève est la capitale des droits de l’homme. C’est ici que la famille des agences, programmes et fonds des Nations Unies, la société civile, et le monde académique travaillent ensemble pour protéger et promouvoir les droits de l’homme. Aujourd’hui, ensemble, nous nous élevons contre les mutilations génitales féminines et l’excision et nous réaffirmons notre soutien aux droits des femmes et des filles dans le monde entier.

We do this today, on International Women’s Day. A day when the world recognizes that securing peace, social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights requires the active participation, equality and development of women.

Thank you for your attention. I wish you an excellent evening.