Female genital mutilation must be eradicated in our age
Waris (right) with Dr. Adesina at the ceremony in Seoul.
Great honor for Waris Dirie, founder of the Desert Flower Foundation. At a ceremony in Seoul, she was awarded the Sunhak Peace Prize 2019. In addition to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, Dirie was the second person to receive this award in the South Korean capital. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to the peace and development of the people of future generations.
The committee paid tribute to Waris Dirie for her tireless commitment to the rights of girls and women. Furthermore for her call for a worldwide resolution to combat FGM to protect girls exposed to this abhorrent practice. Waris Dirie said in her acceptance speech that FGM must be eradicated in our age and that she will continue her struggle for women's and girls' rights until we finally live in a society where their rights are respected.
More than 1000 people attended the award ceremony in Seoul, including current and former presidents, entrepreneurs from Africa and other members of the government, academics, business people, journalists and representatives of various religious communities.
Each winner received 500,000 USD along with a medal and plaque presented by founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and committee chairman Dr. Il Sik Hong. For Waris Dirie this award is a great acknowledgement of her work and at the same time gives her a lot of strength in her worldwide fight against female genital mutilation.
