"They promised me a magnificent party" - an exhibition on the problems of female genital mutilation

(sf) "They promised me a magnificent party" - even the title of the exhibition by Terre des Femmes e.V. on the problems female genital mutilation suggests that the said parties are not quite the happy-go-lucky affairs they are made out to be. Quite the opposite, in fact, because the quote from the activist from Gambia goes on to say: "No-one said anything about the terrible pain". The Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences, in cooperation with the UAS Equality Office and the AStA Women's and Lesbian's Consultancy, is presenting the exhibition, which is just as much moving as it is motivating, up to 17th June in the faculty's rooms on Universitätsstraße, Building 24.21.
The Representative for International Affairs at the Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Angelika Gregor, was able to attract the wandering exhibition to the university as part of her "International Women's Rights" seminar. "Genital mutilation is still not anchored in law as a criminal offence. It must nevertheless be assumed that thousands of girls, from all kinds of backgrounds, living here in Germany, are threatened by circumcision, perhaps during holidays in their home country", is how the family law expert elucidated the problem today at the opening. The exhibition shows that genital mutilation is one of many fundamental violations of human rights suffered by girls and women. Information on the extent, consequences and background of female genital mutilation is presented. Courageous men and women from Europe and Africa who have launched initiatives to combat the practice are furthermore introduced.
"An estimated 150 million girls and women around the globe suffer from the consequences of genital mutilation", explained Yara Staets from Terre des Femmes. Apart from the enduring physical pain and mental scars, Yara believes that every tenth girl in East Africa dies as a direct result. Contrary to popular opinion, the reasons for this old ritual stretching back thousands of years are not based on religion, they are rather of a socio-cultural nature. This sees women as being the property of men and their sexuality as being under the control of the family.
"We need to devote more attention to these problems. Even though they might seem a long way away, maybe practiced somewhere in Africa, it can also happen here in Germany", warned the Rector, Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Krause, in his opening speech.
The exhibition is accompanied by two film evenings. Documentaries on the subject of human and women's rights by Renate Bernhard and Sigrid Dethloff will be shown. The films and radio spots have already won several awards.

All those interested are cordially invited to the exhibition:

Monday, 8th June – Wednesday, 10th June 2009
12 to 16 hours in the VV room

Monday, 15th June – Wednesday, 17th June 2009
10.30 to 14 hours in the Conference Hall (Administration, ground floor)

In addition:
Tuesday 9th and 16th June 2009
17.30 to 19.00 hours, film evenings.