Media Advisory - Reception with Parliamentarians: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Featuring Young Maasai woman from Kenya who spoke out against FGM at age 8

OTTAWA, Feb. 2, 2017 /CNW/ - Nice Nailantei, a young Maasai woman from Kenya, will be in Ottawa to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on Monday, February 6, 2017 and will speak with Parliamentarians at an early-evening reception. Nice first advocated against FGM at the age of 8 and ran away from home to avoid being forcibly circumcised. She now works with girls, young men, elders and circumcisers in Maasai communities to adopt a rite of passage for girls that forgo FGM.

Nice will be joined by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, as well as the Executive Directors of Amref Health Africa and the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health (CanWaCH).

DATE:  Monday, February 6, 2017

TIME: 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. (speeches to start at 5:30 p.m.)

LOCATION: Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Laurier Room (1 Rideau Street), Ottawa

Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served

Projections indicate that 15 million girls are at risk of being subjected to FGM by 2020

World leaders, including Canada, have committed to eradicating FGM globally by 2030 as part of the UN-led Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE AMREF Canada (African Medical and Research Foundation)

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For media accreditation, or to arrange interviews, please contact: Jennifer Foulds, Amref Health Africa, [phone]; [phone] (cell); [email protected]; Charmaine Crockett, Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health, [phone]; [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.amrefcanada.org