2019 Sunhak Peace Prize Laureate Waris Dirie, ‘Desert Flower’ Book Signing
Date & Time : February 10, 2019 3pm
Venue : Gwanghwamun Kyobo Bookstore
<About Waris Dirie>
Borin into a goat-herding nomad family in Somalia, she underwent female circumcision at the age 0f 5. In 1997, when her fashion career ad a world-class supermodel was at its peak, she revealed her experience with FGM as a representative of all African women who has undergone the procedure and couldn’t tell anyone their story. This brave start led her to become a human rights activist to end the barbaric practice that are thriving in Africa. She was then appointed as a first Special Ambassador to the United Nations for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in 1997. Since then, she has been putting tireless efforts in anti-FGM campaign. She was awarded the Sunhak Peace prize in recognition of her contributions.
<Introduction of ‘Desert Flower’ Book>
Waris Dirie is actively promoting the eradication of FGM around the world. Her first book, Desert Flower, published in 1997, contains her life and experiences. It has been translated into many languages and sold about 13million around the world. A major featured film based on her book, also named Desert Flower, was released in 2009. It has been shown in 56 countries around the world, including by international NGOs such as UNHCR and UNICEF, further raising awareness of FGM. These films and books are playing a major role in raising worldwide awareness of FGM and in changing people’s perspective toward FGM.
