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| ▲Ms. Waris Dirie giving a keynote speech at the World Summit 2019 |
2019 Sunhak Peace Prize Laureate, Waris Dirie addressed the topic of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), at the special session of World Summit 2019, which is a global leadership conference held in Seoul, South Korea.
The World Summit 2019 convened at the Lotte Hotel World in Jamsil, Seoul, South Korea, from February 7 to 10, 2019, with the theme of “Addressing the Critical Challenges of Our Time: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values.” About 1,200 people participated, including 110 current and former heads of state, representatives and leaders.
On top of that, she introduced her background stating that, “Many years ago, I left Somalia because I did not want to be married as a 13-year-old girl to a man who could have been my grandfather. I had to leave my beloved mother, my family and the desert, from which I have learned so much. It was a goodbye forever. I could not and did not want to live in a society where women do not have any rights. I did not want to live in a society where it was ok to beat up women, to rape them, to sell them and to send a woman away once you have enough of her. I left my home being absolutely determined that one day I will fight against all this injustice and that I will fight for the rights of girls and women.”
She emphasized the role of mothers, in order to achieve world of peace. She asserted that, “When and where do we learn love and respect? First with our mothers. Mothers have a big responsibility. Because all their love and care, which we receive as children, shape us – forever. Mothers and, of course, fathers teach us how to respect ourselves and above all to respect others and Mother Earth. And here, in parenting, it is where peace begins in ourselves and hence the peaceful coexistence with others. If we, as parents, neglect our children, do not love them and forget to teach them to respect, we put peace at risk.”
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| ▲Ms. Waris Dirie emphasizing the importance of eradication of FGM and mother’s role in giving love and education to children |
During Q&A session, many people asked about the role of international communities to completely eradiate female genital mutilation and Waris Dirie insisted “Education” as the key factor as a solution. She stated that “FGM is still being practiced because of pure ignorance. It is against human rights, it’s a crime and it’s cruel. So, we have to expand the awareness toward FGM.”
Many high-level leaders participated the World Summit 2019, including Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the founder of both Sunhak Peace Prize and Universal Peace Federation, Rt. Hon. Sir Iakoba Italeli, Governor General, Tuvalu, H.E. Evaristo Carvalho, President, São Tomé and Príncipe , Hon. Dick Cheney, Vice President (2001-2009), USA, H.E. Alfred Moisiu, President (2002-2007), Albania and other current and former heads of states.
Universal Peace Federation is an international non-profit organization which was established on February 12, 2005, in New York, and currently it has a network of 194 peace embassies around the world. Currently, UPF holds general consultative status to the UN ECOSOC.
