Corruption, bane to realisation of human rights - Ghartey Jun 4, 2008
Ghana was commended for enacting laws on violence against women and children, including the entering into force and implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and elimination of all harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). The enforcement of laws on ritual servitude of girls, including sexual abuse and forced labour, the increase in participation of women in political life, and the narrowing of gender gap in education. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Africa on film focus of SummerFilm schedule at Music Hall May 29, 2008
ne, on the subject of female genital mutilation. But he may have a favorite. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
WHO chief highlights threats of food shortage, climate change May 20, 2008
Other issues to be dealt with during the meeting include the prevention and control of no communicable diseases, counterfeit medical products, the harmful use of alcohol, female genital mutilation, poliomyelitis, smallpox virus stock, etc. Editor: Yan Liang. (Xinhua)
What do Muslims around the world believe? May 14, 2008
He makes much of the fact that moderates and reformers now are trying to employ sharia to rein in practices such as polygamy and female genital mutilation. However, he fails to report whether such efforts are succeeding. (Boston Globe)
Gutsy 'Black Womanhood' probes old wounds May 11, 2008
What about practices such as female genital mutilation, enacted by African women upon African girls. It may be too much to ask this already ambitious show to examine yet another topic fraught with conflicted meaning, but it certainly adds another layer to the already rich iconography of black womanhood. (Boston Globe)
The delivery we're waiting for May 11, 2008
And within some communities in those countries, the brutal custom of female genital mutilation, to preserve a young woman's chastity and deny sexual pleasure, is still practiced. It's not a good report card on the treatment of women. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
The Right View: Dont be fooled by the man behind the multiculturalism curtain May 6, 2008
When faced with barbaric practices like honor killing, female genital mutilation and tossing widows on the funeral pyre, the multiculturalist can only respond, Who are we to judge. My fourth-grader brought home a school handout on Cherokee creation myths, which explained helpfully: Victims were beaten and burned, sometimes for several days, before they died This practice seems horrifying today, but it made sense in terms of Cherokee beliefs. (Cambridge Chronicle, MA)
Clinic gives volunteer nurse intense education May 5, 2008
The girl wandered back to her hut, leaving Croft to wonder what would become of her in a culture that still practices female genital mutilation, polygamy and burning as a way to release evil spirits thought to cause illness. "After my second day with Dr. Frank, I just didn't know how he could do this all the time without getting overwhelmed," she said. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Woman From Mali Who Underwent Circumcision Fights For Asylum May 4, 2008
She claims the procedure she underwent, often referred to as female genital mutilation or female circumcision, is proof that she will suffer in Mali ... An immigration appeals court wrote in November that while female genital mutilation was "reprehensible," Traore had not proven the act was evidence that she would suffer further harm in Mali ... Female genital mutilation involves the removal of a girl's clitoris or other genital parts, usually shortly after birth or at a young age. (CBS News -- US)
A walk through the desert in the shoes of the people May 2, 2008
The group had has success teaching against female genital mutilation. It is no longer practised in some parts of the Afar community as a result of the association's campaign, and Browning believes it will be eradicated within a decade. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Lack of education hindering the progress of women Apr 14, 2008
She also stressed the need to nip in the bud negative socio-cultural practices and beliefs that hampered the accelerated development of women, including widowhood rites, female genital mutilation and the unlawful camping of women who are perceived to be witches. During an open forum, the participants decried the high rate of teenage pregnancy among girls in the Adansi South area, the patronage of unhealthy programmes at video centres and the engagement of the girl-child in labour which affected... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Radio Builsa inaugurated Apr 1, 2008
Mrs Chigabatia suggested that concerns about the environment, bush fires, outmoded traditional practices, female genital mutilation, funeral rites and excessive alcohol consumption should be given priority to educate the people and influence them positively to improve their lives. She cautioned the management against politicising their programmes and ensured that it remained neutral and balanced in its operations and reportage. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
A New Ghana under Free Market Akufo-Addo is Impossible Mar 30, 2008
The rest are violence against women and children, female genital mutilation (fgm), societal discrimination against women, persons with disabilities, homosexuals, and persons with HIV/aids, trafficking in women and children and ethnic discrimination and politically and ethnically motivated violence and child labour, including forced child labour. We note here again the silence of our entire political class and Parliament on the plight of our daughters from the northern parts of Ghana reduced to... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
US: Ghana made significant improvements in human rights Mar 20, 2008
Others listed by the report are police corruption and impunity; prolonged pre-trial detention; forcible dispersal of demonstrations; corruption in all branches of government; violence against women and children; female genital mutilation (FGM). The rest are societal discrimination against women, persons with disabilities, homosexuals, and persons with HIV/AIDS; trafficking in women and children; ethnic discrimination and politically and ethnically motivated violence; and child labour, including... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Fighting Female Genital Mutilation in Ghana Mar 17, 2008
Bolgatanga, March 14, GNA - There is no doubt that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one the major negative cultural practices that affect the dignity and violate the fundamental human rights of women. It must be emphasized that the practice does not only affect the dignity and pride of women but it also has a serious health implications on them. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Should Islam be blamedfor 'barbaric' acts? Mar 15, 2008
Within the vast collection of hadith, or apocryphal sayings of Mohammed, are to be found explicit support for female genital mutilation and wife-beating ... Not all Islamic countries practice female genital mutilation, to be sure, and some non-Islamic African countries do so. (Asia Times Online)
Women's rights activist missing Mar 15, 2008
Dirie, who was born in Somalia, gained international fame as a model posing in Chanel ads before launching her campaign against female genital mutilation in 1996. She was due to speak at two conferences on women's rights organized by the European Union in Brussels this week. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
* World News Quick Take Mar 15, 2008
"She said that she had not eaten during those three days," he told public broadcaster RTBF. Following questioning by police after she was found on Friday, Dirie, a UN ambassador in the campaign against female genital mutilation, said she "had not disappeared." "I never would have imagined causing all this," she said. UNITED KINGDOM. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Government urged to make policies women development oriented Mar 15, 2008
"What matters is that Ghanaian women have succeeded in shedding off those inhibitions that make them have very little confidence in their own capabilities. "Now they know what they are capable of and in that knowledge lays the essence of their liberation and it is now left to the government to make things work for their total well-being by initiating positive policies and programmes", she pointed out. Madam Sefakor made the call in a statement to commemorate the International Women's Day... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Missing Model Found Alive In Belgium Mar 8, 2008
Waris Dirie's Disappearance Had Fueled Speculation As Fellow Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Campaigner Was Found Dead ... (AP) Waris Dirie, the Somali-born supermodel and former James Bond girl who launched a worldwide campaign against female genital mutilation, has been found by police in central Brussels three days after she disappeared, says Estelle Arpigny, spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office ... Dirie, who was born in Somalia and now lives in Vienna, Austria gained international fame as... (CBS News)
Missing model found Mar 8, 2008
Police in Belgium found Waris Dirie yesterday, three days after the Somali-born model who launched a worldwide campaign against female genital mutilation had vanished. Dirie,43, appeared to be in good health and was being questioned by police about the disappearance, said Estelle Arpigny, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office. (Boston Globe)
Family asks police to investigate model's death as homicide Mar 8, 2008
Katoucha was one of the first African women to attain international stardom as a model and was a vocal opponent of female genital mutilation. The legal filing came the same day Belgian police announced that, Waris Dirie, another former model who has campaigned against genital mutilation had gone missing. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
The Boss Plans To Raise Some Money For Theater Project Mar 8, 2008
Waris Dirie, a former model who has campaigned against female genital mutilation, was found alive in Brussels, three days after she disappeared. Officials said she appeared to be in good health. (KWTX.com, TX)
UN agencies unite against FGM Mar 5, 2008
Accra, March 4, GNA - Ten United Nations agencies have pledged to support efforts to ensure a major reduction in the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in many countries by 2015, when the Millennium Development Goals are set to be achieved ... The agencies said; "We have seen great success in people turning away from this harmful practice. To take these efforts to scale, we also need to see strong leadership on female genital mutilation at all levels" ... The agencies, also expressed... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Katoucha Niane, at 47; former top model Mar 3, 2008
PARIS - The body of Katoucha Niane, one of the first African women to attain international stardom as a model and a vocal opponent of female genital mutilation, was found in the Seine River, police said Friday. Known simply as Katoucha, the former top model for Yves Saint Laurent and other major designers was found Thursday near the Garigliano Bridge in Paris, judicial police said. (Boston Globe)
Cultural practices buttress S.Leone poverty -UN Mar 2, 2008
FREETOWN, March 1 (Reuters) - Harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation are hampering efforts to reduce poverty in Sierra Leone, which has the world's worst child and maternal mortality rates, a top U.N. official said ... "Sierra Leone needs to change a number of the harmful traditional and cultural practices," Veneman told reporters late on Friday, citing female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and pregnancy, and under-age labour. (AlertNet)
TROKOSI: An Opportunity to Abuse Women ... Mar 2, 2008
There are several practices which should be outlawed such as female genital mutilation, widowhood rights etc. A couple of years ago, I listened to a programme on JOY FM (radio station in Ghana) about a practice which was mainly practiced in certain areas in Northern Ghana. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Body of Top Model Katoucha Niane Found in Seine River Mar 1, 2008
Katoucha, as she was known in the fashion world, was born in Guinea and became the face of Yves Saint-Laurent, the French haute couture guru, in the 1980s before stepping off the catwalk to launch a campaign against female genital mutilation. When her handbag was discovered by the front door to her boat there was initial speculation that the woman dubbed the French-speaking Naomi Campbell could have committed suicide. (Fox News)
Model's body found in Paris river Mar 1, 2008
PARIS - The body of Katoucha Niane, one of the first African women to attain international stardom as a model and a vocal opponent of female genital mutilation, was found in the Seine River, police said Friday. Known simply as Katoucha, the former top model for Yves Saint Laurent and other top designers was found Thursday near the Garigliano bridge in Paris, judicial police in Paris said. (AZCentral)
Pain relievers shouldshare the pain Feb 28, 2008
Much in the same way that longstanding cultural traditions make those who suffer the coming-of-age ceremony that is female genital mutilation welcome this torture, in America, the formal ceremony that accompanies the legal transfer of real estate from seller to buyer, called a closing, is a traditional torture that Americans have come to accept as an inevitable right of passage along the way to the American dream of home ownership. Usually occurring at the offices of the specialized professional... (Asia Times Online)
Rereading IslamTurkey scholars in radical reappraisal of sacred Islamic texts Feb 27, 2008
"Unfortunately you can even justify through alleged hadiths, the Muslim - or pseudo-Muslim - practice of female genital mutilation," he says. "You can find messages which say 'that is what the Prophet ordered us to do'. But you can show historically how they came into being, as influences from other cultures, that were then projected onto Islamic tradition.". (BBC News -- Europe)
Two Famous Women Writers Feb 22, 2008
She received her bachelor of arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College in 1965, was active in the Civil rights Movement of the 1960s and in the 1990s was still active, in which she has spoken for women s rights, anti-apartheid movement and again female genital mutilation. Among her many awards, they are; the Lillian Smith Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rosenthal Award from the National Institute of Arts rs, a Radcliffe Institute fellowship, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. (Stuttgart Daily Leader, AR)
Temecula survives 'Monologues' Feb 16, 2008
Particularly the parts about female genital mutilation, rape as a tool of war or a benefit for the conqueror and child molestation. It's been scorched for its filthy language. (North County Times)
Bondage in the Name of Tolerance Feb 12, 2008
A new report, "Crimes of the Community, Honor-Based Violence in the U.K." by the Centre for Social Cohesion, catalogs the horror of forced marriages -- often after unwitting girls are sent abroad for a "vacation" -- female genital mutilation, domestic abuse and an estimated 10 to 12 honor killings in the United Kingdom each year ... But when, as the honor-violence report noted, even womens activists defend female genital mutilation, its clear that the only absolute in liberal societies is doubt... (Townhall.com)
Gender activists mark International Zero Tolerance to FGM Day Feb 7, 2008
In a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra to mark the February 6 United Nations Sub-Commission on Human Rights International Day on Zero Tolerance to FGM, Ms Estelle Robinson of the Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development (FORWARD) and Mrs Janet Narh of Ben TV's Woman's Hour urged gender based non-governmental and governmental organizations to fight for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). "FGM is a human rights violation and an atrocity against innocent... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Today Is International Day of FGM Feb 6, 2008
February 6 is International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a statement issued by the European Commission (EU) in Ghana said on Tuesday in Accra ... Ferrero-Waldner said the UN Commission on the status of women adopted the Resolution Ending Female Genital Mutilation, recognizing that FGM violated and impaired the enjoyment of the human rights of women and girls. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Honour crime 'is underestimated' Feb 5, 2008
We are developing a cross-government action plan to tackle honour based violence which includes, forced marriage, honour killings and female genital mutilation ... He said: "We are developing a cross-government action plan to tackle honour based violence which includes, forced marriage, honour killings and female genital mutilation. "The plan is being developed with Acpo and other criminal justice system agencies and aims to improve the response of police and other agencies, to all forms of... (BBC News -- South Asia)
Women urged to fight against negative cultural practices Jan 23, 2008
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Tongo, Ms Adongo, cited that practice such as widowhood rites, female genital mutilation (FGM) and tribal marks were dehumanising and should be stopped. She expressed dismay about the practice in which widows were stripped and forced to stay with their late husbands brothers or relatives and have sex with them against their wish adding that it could result in the spread of HIV/AIDS.. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
PRICE OF TURMOIL Jan 22, 2008
It will also assess campaigns aimed at combating female genital mutilation, improving global immunisation coverage, and reinforcing health care systems in poorer countries. Though tuberculosis prevalence appears to have stabilised globally, the spread of drug-resistant strains in Eastern Europe, parts of Central Asia, and China was a serious concern, Chan said. (AlertNet)
Google targets global warming, poverty Jan 18, 2008
"How do you not take on female genital mutilation? How do you not take on the need for clean water? These problems we are not addressing are not less important ... we are trying to do the things that fit who we are.". Google. (India Times)
Practitioners of FGM to be jailed Jan 18, 2008
Accra, Jan. 17, GNA - Practitioners and all parties that consent to the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are liable to imprisonment to not less than five years and not more than 10 years as stipulated in the Constitution Amendment Act 741. Mrs Chris Dadzie, Policy Analyst for Gender and Human Rights of ISODEC said the Act which came into being on August 7, 2007 changed the name from female circumcision, which predisposes an ordinary circumcision to Female Genital Mutilation which... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
If You Love to Hate Google, Read This Jan 18, 2008
"How do you not do female genital mutilation?" he said. "How do you not do water?". (ABC News)
Kenyan Gangs Use Genital Mutilation as Weapon in Post-Election Violence Jan 16, 2008
Mungiki, which means "multitude" in Kikuyu, originally promoted traditional Kikuyu practices, including female genital mutilation. But in recent years it has become involved in extortion and murder and it also provides hired muscle for politicians. (Fox News)
Muslim leaders back Livingstone as mayor Jan 3, 2008
"Livingstone's criticism of US and UK foreign policy has increased his popularity among Muslims and he has appeared at events such as IslamExpo, which attracts tens of thousands of people every year.The mayor welcomed the statement, saying that London's prosperity and good community relations were based on openness and tolerance. "The fundamental basis of London's openness and choice is that every Londoner should be able to live their life as they freely choose with the sole condition that they... (Guardian Unlimited)
Bawku West gets new development association Dec 31, 2007
The association known as Boya Development Association (BODA), apart from its self-help projects would also ensure that certain negative cultural practices, including female genital mutilation, widowhood rites, among others were also eliminated. The National Chairman of BODA, Mr. John A. Amidini explained that the people in the area realized that since government alone could not provide all societal needs it was necessary to complement government efforts in facilitating accelerated development. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Hilton to leave fortune to charity Dec 27, 2007
This year's recipient, Tostan, is a West African nongovernmental organization that works to educate people with little or no formal schooling and combat female genital mutilation. susannah. (Los Angeles Times)
Clinton touts wife's experience, plans for presidency Dec 18, 2007
He said that while she was First Lady, Hillary Clinton had an independent role in the peace process in Northern Ireland and also stood by women in the African nation of Senegal to help end the practice of female genital mutilation there. "The process has turned and that was in part due to Hillary Clinton," the former president said. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Street Academy organizes Dinner Dance Dec 18, 2007
There were cultural refugees, who run away from their homes to avoid being forced into marriages, undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) and being enslaved under the Trokosi system, among others. The others are economic refugees who leave for the streets because of adverse living conditions at home, most likely due to conducts of hostile parents and guardians. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
UN Reports Fewer Children Dying From Preventable Causes Dec 12, 2007
" In addition to child survival, the report says progress also has been made in education, gender equality and child protection. It says the number of primary-school age children who are out of school has fallen by about 20 percent and more girls are going to school than before. The Report says the harmful practice of female genital mutilation is still unacceptably high, but has declined over the past 15 years, and child marriage is becoming less common. Related Stories Top Story More Stories... (Voice of America)
Veep ask Muslims to foster national unity Dec 5, 2007
Vice President Mahama asked members of the mission to launch a crusade against outmoded cultural practices such as the marriage of teenagers and female genital mutilation. He asked them to attach attention to the education of the girl child in order to ensure accelerated development of the nation. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Oliver North: Mideast Peace Solution? Nov 30, 2007
Radical Islamic courts treat girls as young as nine as adults, subject women to death by stoning for adultery and permit female genital mutilation. Countries and regions ruled by radical Islamists don t permit women to travel unless escorted by a male relative, limit the availability of medical care and forbid access to higher education. (Fox News)
The refuge lottery Nov 28, 2007
Most women in the UK do not have access to a rape crisis centre, and fewer than one in 10 local authorities provide for minority ethnic women escaping or recovering from attempted "honour" crimes, forced marriage or female genital mutilation. Almost a third of local authorities have no specific domestic violence services, and fewer than one in 10 have services for women in prostitution. (Guardian Unlimited -- Society)
Kenyans Executed in 5-Year Crackdown Nov 26, 2007
Mungiki began as a group promoting traditional Kikuyu practices, including female genital mutilation, but gradually became involved in extortion, murder and providing hired muscle to politicians. The new report is based on interviews with relatives, police records of when the young men were in police custody, autopsy reports and other records kept by the campaigning group, said the foundation's executive director, Kamau Kingara. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
A Victory For Freedom Nov 26, 2007
Refugee women who want to spare their daughters from sexual abuse have earned the right to do so; the work of Human Rights USA directly resulted in the court decision that established that female genital mutilation qualifies as torture. Their work on another case set a precedent that the usual deadline to file asylum claims need not apply to sexual abuse victims with severe traumatic stress, who might hesitate to report such instances out of fear. (Townhall.com)
AU Forum Focuses on Children's Plight Nov 20, 2007
Briefing journalists about the meeting in Harare yesterday, Dr Muguti said the forum, which was organised by Egyptian First Lady Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, dealt with several issues that affect children such as child labour, children in the military, human trafficking and female genital mutilation which came under the spotlight at the forum ... "The ministerial meeting also accepted and endorsed the appeal made by the First Lady of Egypt, Mrs Suzanne Mubarak to launch an African campaign on the... (allAfrica.com)
Make children's right high on national agenda-UNICEF Nov 20, 2007
It said the Convention had also resulted in positive development in child protection and more attention to issues such as commercial sexual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking and female genital mutilation. The statement said the event, which would be celebrated worldwide would include campaigns to convince governments to establish a children's commissioner to monitor the implementation of the Convention, following the example of other countries. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Health benefit Nov 17, 2007
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION ... The World Health Organization estimates 100-140 million girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation and Unicef claims that up to a further three million girls, mostly aged between four and 12, have their genitals cut every year ... Most frequent incidence of female genital mutilation (Unicef figures). (SwissInfo.org, Switzerland)
Indecent Exposure Nov 9, 2007
During a 1994 U.N. population conference in Cairo, CNN had aired footage of the backstreet female genital mutilation of a 10-year-old Egyptian girl. Egypt's conservatives claimed that CNN and the girl's family had shamed Egypt on the world stage. (Time.com)
Kenyans Blame Police for Killings Nov 7, 2007
Mungiki, whose name means "multitude" in Kikuyu, began as a group promoting traditional Kikuyu practices, including female genital mutilation, but gradually became involved in extortion, murder and providing hired muscle to politicians. It was outlaws in 2002 after its members beheaded 21 people in a turf war with a rival gang. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
* Murders in Kenya linked to policemen Nov 7, 2007
Its members also promote traditional Kikuyu practices, including female genital mutilation. Since March, the gang has been accused of murdering at least 43 people -- beheading several of their victims -- mainly in Nairobi slums and central Kenya. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Protecting the Human Dignity of the Girl Child Worldwide Nov 1, 2007
Despite the United Nations many faults, it has been at the forefront of the battle to ban female genital mutilation and obtain equal rights for women throughout the world ... Despite the United Nations many faults, it has been at the forefront of the battle to ban female genital mutilation and obtain equal rights for women throughout the world. (Townhall.com)
Sampson Boafo: Unlikely Patron of Change Oct 28, 2007
The education system, a key area to retool the development process and for long unbalanced, has seen traditional values inserted in the curriculum; national development planners are being encouraged to hatch a new paradigm that appropriate Ghanaian traditional values; visions of politicians increasingly reflect Ghanaian values key presidential aspirant Nana Akufo-Addo talk of indigenous capitalism; the Parliament of Ghana has criminalized some inhibiting cultural values overtime, the... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
The New Face of Parliament Oct 27, 2007
For sometime, Ghanaians have seen their Parliament criminalize the dreaded cultural practice of female genital mutilation, banned trokosi, a cultural practice in some parts of the Volta, where teenage girls are enslaved to shrines for sins committed by their parents, decentralization of the Ghanaian system, and the passing of the anti-corruption legislation Whistle-Blowers Act in 2006. Partisanship or not, rubber-stamp or not, while certain work of Parliament doesnt excite the public,... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
670 comments Oct 26, 2007
James James, New JerseyOct 24, 2007 @ 08:28 PMI watched a very disturbing video created by David Horowitz about women being stoned to death and female genital mutilation. When I tried to show the video to feminists, they called ME the racists (toward Muslims). (Human Events Online)
DVVSU urges support from nurses to enforce law on FGM Oct 22, 2007
Wa, Oct. 21, GNA - The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service in the Upper West Region has urged the support of nurses working in community clinics in exposing perpetrators of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in their areas. Inspector Emmanuel Mwinsori, Regional head of the DVVSU, said some communities still practised the outlawed FGM culture in the region and that although the people were aware of the ban against it, they were unwilling to report the... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
