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PANEL FLYER IS ATTACHED.

Remarks on Female Genital Mutilation by H.E. Miguel Berger, Deputy Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations - CSW 56 Panel : FGM - Female Genital Mutilation - Rural Women & Girls - Hosted by the German Mission UN NY

March 2, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests,

I am very glad to welcome today’s panelists who will be presented in a minute by the moderator Dr. Tobe Levin von Gleichen, W.E.B Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University and representative of FORWARD Germany

Respect for human rights is of vital importance for Germany. Our constitution, the Basic Law, begins by stating that human dignity shall be inviolable. Part of this active human rights policy is our candidacy for the Human Rights Council for the period 2013-2015.

I would like to first of all thank Ms. Levin von Gleichen of FORWARD Germany and Ms. Herman of WUNRN, for organizing this important event today

Around 140 million women and girls have suffered FGM and every year an additional 3 million girls in Africa alone are in danger of this scourge. I was surprised and shocked to find out, that in some countries still today up to 97% of women have to deal with the consequences of this violation of human rights which too often ends fatally. FGM continues to be – despite alle the national and international efforts - a wide-spread problem. For example, FGM is practised in 28 African countries, the highest rates being found in Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, Guinea and Sierra Leone (above 90%), but also – through immigration – in some parts of Europe.

Even though the laws in many countries now prohibit this dangerous tradition, the practice continues, especially in rural or remote areas. To change the legislation is a first step, but it is definetly not enough. We will hear more from todays speakers, but I think it is crucial to engage with local communities, with their political and spiritual leaders, to reach out to the people and make them understand and accept the dangers of FGM. To overcome this practice the families, especially the women, need the support of their communities.

As many religious leaders have stated, FGM is not a religious practice. It is a barbaric, but deeply routed tradition which destroys the lives of many women and girls. FGM is an extreme form of discrimination against women. We should all put our efforts together to fight FGM and allow women and girls to have a dignified and self-determined life.

The fight against female genital mutilation requires political support. Through political dialogue and concrete projects, Germany undertakes strong efforts against genital mutilation. We are willing to further contribute to the fight against FGM, not only through bilateral projects and dialogue but also in the multilateral framework. Our focus lies on the support of initiatives which have their origin in FGM-affected countries and we hope that in the future we can collaborate even more closely with these countries.

I am glad to see that we have so many excellent speakers from different regions here today who can give us their insight. I believe that it is active engagement like that of the organizers of this event and everyone present here, which will ultimately lead to a change of attitude and respect for human rights and dignity.

I wish us all a fruitful discussion.