<Saving Safa, Child Actor of the Movie, ‘Desert Flower’>
A film called Desert Flower, based on Waris Dirie’s life story, has enlightened people about the cruelty of female circumcision around the world.
Waris Dirie earned a signed contract from Safa Idriss Nour’s parents, a little girl who played a young Waris Dirie in the film, in condition to not subject Nour for female circumcision.
Djibouti, the home of Safa, is place where there is Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) rate of 98 percent. Waris Dirie’s offer was an unusual request in this country.
After 4 years, Waris Dirie received a letter from Safa’s parents that they Safa will be subjected to FGM.
“When I was playing with my friends on the street, the children ran away and cursed me for not being circumcised“ -Safa-
Until now, the young Safa has been pressured to be subjected to FGM by THE townspeople.
The deep-rooted tradition of Africa and a symbol of purity, “Female Genital Mutilation“ is a custom which should be eradicated because this violent act damages woman’s sexual organ.
However, since this tragic act was firmly believed to be a tradition and custom granted by God, the Safa’s family was ostracized from the village and treated as outsiders.
Waris Dirie was furious at the news, and invited Safa’s family to Europe and explained side effects of the act and why FGM should be eradicated.
As a result, Safa’s family was the first family to end the vicious cycle of FGM in the town. Safa’s father, who advocated FGM, is now serving in a charity to fight against FGM.
