United Youth of Ireland -

The United Youth of Ireland (UYI) is a group of dedicated young people from ages 15 to 25 coming from different countries. In its early beginning the young people were coming mainly from different African countries and there were also young people from Eastern Europe participating in their activities and nowadays the United Youth of Ireland is also joined by Irish young people. They are both students and workers but what they have in common is that all the members of UYI are die-hard volunteers working for a cause in service of the local communities where they operate.

The Youth group started in 2010 putting together their time, skills, talents and few resources. With some financial help from various friends, they were also able to address some problems that migrant young people are experiencing: clash of cultures, attitudes and ways of doing things, FGM, intercultural mediation, human rights, oral and body language, access to public services, racism, discrimination, equality, inclusion and holistic integration. As a Youth Group, the UFI members are affiliated with Catholic Youth Care (CYC) and therefore are Garda vetted and have all received Child Protection Basic Awareness Training and the Code of Good Practice for Youth Work. Recently, they have also joined the Youth Programme of the City of Dublin Youth Services Board (CDYSB). Their activities address positively and concretely mainly most of the difficulties and problems that migrant young people and the “New Irish” could encounter in our Society today and in their local communities.

United Youth of Ireland Conference and Miss Ethnic 2012 Beauty Contest to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November 2012

United Youth of Ireland

Conference and Miss Ethnic 2012 Beauty Contest to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November 2012

When: Sunday, 25 November 2012

Where: The Westin Hotel, Westmoreland St. Dublin 2

Time: 17:30 Conference and Miss Ethnic 2012 Beauty Contest

About:
Organised by United Youth of Ireland –a multi-ethnic group of young people – on this important international date, the conference and fashion show aim to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a brutal cultural practice which has affected up to 140 million women and girls worldwide. Over two thousand women now living in Ireland are understood to have suffered this violation and the Irish Government outlawed the practice of FGM earlier this year by enacting The Criminal Justice (FGM) Act 2012.

Event Organiser Ifrah Ahmed, founding member of the United Youth of Ireland and Amnesty International Strong Voice for Ending FGM in Europe, explains:

“The event will bring together young people from all over Dublin, many of whom are recent migrants to Ireland, to raise awareness of the harmful traditional practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as one form of gender based violence. Important progress has been made by campaigners including members of United Youth of Ireland to ensure the practice of FGM has been made illegal in Ireland. The Criminal Justice (FGM) Act 2012 was enacted in April 2012 and outlaws the practice of FGM in Ireland. It also makes it illegal for individuals in Ireland to takes a girl abroad to have FGM performed. Events such as this are important to raise awareness of FGM and to ensure that FGM is eliminated in practice and not only in law.”

The conference and fashion show will build on the successes of many previous events attended by hundreds of native Irish, African-Irish and a variety of immigrant communities.

According to Ahmed, Miss Ethnic 2012 is a beauty contest with a difference, it showcases Dublin’s beauty and diversity and is designed to appeal to young people by combining a serious discussion in the early evening with live music, a DJ, a beauty contest and the selection of the End FGM Ambassador 2012-2013.

For further information, email unitedyouthofireland@gmail.com or phone Ifrah Ahmed at 085-8443007

Editor’s Note
About the United Youth of Ireland
The United Youth of Ireland (UYI) is a dedicated and diverse group of youth volunteers that aims to promote integration through community service activities. In particular, the UYI focuses on issues faced by migrant youth and the problem of female genital mutilation (FGM). The UYI has tackled these issues in a positive and dynamic way through music, film, talent shows and fashion shows which are organised by youth for youth. The UYI also organises trainings and workshops for youth providing a safe and creative space for personal development.
See http://www.facebook.com/UnitedYouthofIreland?fref=ts

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):

FGM includes procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons. According to the World Health Organisation, the procedure has no health benefits and can cause severe bleeding, problems urinating, potential childbirth complications and newborn deaths.

Motivations behind the practice include social customs, religion (although no faith obliges FGM) and supposed marriageability.

An estimated 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM , including over 2,500 in Ireland (source: Female Genital Mutilation, Information for Health-Care Professionals Working in Ireland – Akidwa/RCSI).

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women:

In 1999, the UN General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime – with the abuser usually someone known to her. Activists have marked 25 November as a day against violence since 1981. The date commemorates the assassination in 1960 of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women also launches the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, which runs through 10 December, Human Rights Day (source: UN)
FGM legislation
A National Action Plan to Address FGM 2008-2011 led to the introduction of the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2011. On the 2nd April 2012 Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 was enacted by the Irish Government. The legislation outlaws the practice of FGM in Ireland and makes it an offence for somebody to bring a girl abroad for the purpose of having FGM performed upon her.

ENDS