One of Orchid’s greatest assets is our connection with our Danish group, set up in 2011 to support our goals and aims. We are absolutely delighted that this week, the Danish media has taken on board the importance of this issue and have covered the story of abandonment in Ethiopia.
A journalist and photographer from Danish newspaper Berlingsk were invited to Ethiopia by UNICEF Denmark to cover the launch of a joint campaign with UNICEF, UNFPA and the UN Population Fund. The campaign aims to eradicate FGC in Ethiopia and 14 other countries, through awareness raising and fundraising for the program.
A tour around Ethiopia comprised a visit to Barbara May Maternity Hospital in Mille, north-eastern Ethiopia. Here the Berlingske team met Sadiye, a 10 year-old girl who had undergone FGC. She was in great pain, as the procedure had caused scar tissue to develop giving rise to urinary complications. Another little girl, Asia aged 8, had scars on her abdomen which had developed into a cyst resulting from her circumcision. Sadiye and Asia are of course two among millions of girls worldwide facing FGC. It is wonderful to see, given the strong support from Norway and Sweden, as well as UNICEF/UNFPA Denmark, how FGC is making it onto the Danish radar.
Other coverage about FGC in the Danish media can be viewed here:
http://www.b.dk/nationalt/omskaering-af-piger-er-langsomt-paa-vej-ud
http://www.bt.dk/danmark/omskaering-af-piger-er-langsomt-paa-vej-ud
