Mayor hails mum's fight for daughters
Friday December 05 2008
A MAYOR last night called for a worldwide ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), which is practised in many African countries.
Sligo mayor Veronica Cawley made the call at a civic reception for asylum seeker Pamela Izevbekhai, and her daughters Naomi (7) and Jemima (6), who have been living in the north-west for almost four years.
The Nigerian woman, whose first daughter bled to death after enforced FGM, fled to Ireland to save her daughters from the same brutal practice being forced on them by relatives.
She is currently awaiting a decision from the European Court of Human Rights, due next week, on whether it will review her failed application for asylum in Ireland.
Ms Cawley said that by going public with her difficult story, Ms Izevbekhai had raised international awareness about the practice.
"What Pamela has done is raise the level of awareness about the circumstances in which some women find themselves. We can only imagine the long term effect this barbaric practice has on the lives of these women.''
"A worldwide ban is the only way women will be safe," she said. Ms Cawley said her decision to hold a civic reception was in response to the huge demand from people in Sligo.
Brave
"Pamela has made a huge amount of friends in Sligo since she moved here. She is a brave person and she deserves recognition," she added.
A large crowd of local dignitaries, friends and parents of classmates of the two girls gathered at the City Hall for the function last evening.
A delighted Ms Izevbekhai said she felt very honoured by the council's gesture.
- Anita Guidera
