Europa Newswire

Photos by Luiz Rampelotto

Press Conference by Singer Angelique Kidjo before this evenings concert to rid the planet of a 2,000 year old tradition.

Angelique Kidjo, singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador:
“It’s about Female Genital Mutilation we always turn our head to Africa. It’s true that Africa as a continent have a lot more country (ries) that practice FGM it also exists in the Middle East and also in Asia and how can we believe in an era of communication, in an era where we call the world as we used to know it a global village if we cannot use the tools of communication to bring awareness to people about what is going on.”

Angelique is a passionate advocate for girls’ education and says that social traditions that condone Female Genital Mutilation or FGM, need to be “tackled at the core” by making entire communities aware of the harmful consequences of the practice.

“As an African women and an African child I think that we Africans can find a solution to this if our leaders really want to put an end to it.”

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM. In Africa, an estimated 92 million girls aged 10 years or older have undergone FGM.
The practice includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

Kidjo also said there is only one solution.

“When you educate the people and empower the community they take lead in their own lives.”

Source: UNTV.