Coughing Up Green Slime

Waris Dirie - YOUR LIFE, YOUR SUCCESS, YOUR HISTORY FOUNDATION

Waris Dirie was born in 1965 in a family of nomads in the region of Gallacaio in the Somali desert, near the border with Ethiopia. After 5 years spent by the ritual of female circumcision, being mutilated. The criminal procedure takes place in many countries by both Muslims and Christians. According to UN estimates, around 6,000 girls a day undergo this cruel mutilation.

At age 13, Waris ran away to avoid marrying a man who could be her grandfather. Ended up working as a maid at the Somali Embassy in London and then washing the floor of a McDonald's, where he discovered the famous fashion photographer Terence Donovan and reached international fame. He moved from London to New York and became one of the most famous supermodels. Model was the first African to have an exclusive contract with Revlon; and has appeared on the cover of every major magazine. Waris Dirie worked with Timothy Dalton in 007: High Voltage, and the BBC filmed a documentary titled "A Nomad in New York" for the series "The Day That Changed My Life."

When interviewed by the famous journalist Barbara Walters, NBC, and Laura Ziv, issue of Marie Claire, the model decided to talk about the horrible ritual that represents the female genital mutilation, telling his personal experience. The interview and article sparked a wave of shock and sympathy. The then UN secretary general, Kofi Anan, the United Nations appointed Ambassador. Ablation or female genital mutilation is practiced openly in African, Arab and Asian countries, but many immigrant families based in Europe, the United States and Canada continue to subject their daughters to the cruel ritual in secret. Determined to get the maximum support for the prohibition of this practice, Waris Dirie travels the world as a UN representative.

In 1997, his autobiography, Desert Flower, published in New York and became a bestseller (it was in the top ten Spiegel bestseller for 120 weeks in a row). They have published more than 50 editions and has been authorized in the list of bestsellers in various countries. To date, has sold 11 million copies worldwide.

Twenty years after his escape, decided to see his family in Somalia. A risky project, if you consider that Somalia is a country with a 12-year civil war and suffering famine. He described his journey on a second book, Dawn in the desert, which also became a bestseller.

created in 2002 Waris Dirie Foundation, based in Austria. The foundation global campaigns to raise awareness against female genital mutilation, and offers campaigns and support to other victims of female circumcision. By e waris@utanet.at , the foundation also provides information for advocates, supporters and the media concerned. To date, more than 30,000 people have used this service.

In his third book, Girls of the Desert, published in 2005, Waris Dirie talks about the day he broke his long silence, their encounters with victims and offenders, their research, their setbacks and successes. Thanks to this book, launched an international campaign against FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). In 2006, the Union European first included in its agenda the fight against female circumcision. In 2005, Waris Dirie had met with 25 ministers of Member States to discuss the measures to be taken against circumcision. Laws were tightened in several countries and started to take preventive measures.

In 2007, Waris Dirie has launched a campaign against FGM is supported by Scotland Yard and the BBC in Britain. "We need to understand that FGM has nothing to do with tradition, culture or religion," says Waris. "It is a form of child abuse. Every country in the world should take serious and consistent action against people who made this crime. "

That same year he published the latest book by Waris Dirie, Letter to my Mother, who says: "It's my most personal book. There are wounds that will not heal. The desire to see my mother and to forgive was great, but I realized that love and pain go hand in hand. While writing this book was a painful experience, was also of great importance ... "

ablation became an international issue through the books by Waris Dirie. Due to international pressure, fourteen African countries, which include Kenya, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and the Central African Republic, banned female genital mutilation in 2007. According to UNICEF data, 2006, 150 million women have been genitally mutilated. Many have suffered and still suffer the consequences of mutilation by relatives or irresponsible doctors in Europe and the United States. However, in many countries the government has yet to intervene despite knowing the consequences of the terrible practice.

Waris Dirie has won numerous awards for his dedication and his books. Among them the Women's World Award, given to him by former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev (2004), the Woman of the Year Award by Glamour magazine (2000), the German government's Africa Prize (1999) and the Corine Prize, awarded by the German Booksellers Association Best Book for Nonfiction (2002). In 2007, President Nicolas Sarkozy awarded the Legion of Honor and the World Demographic Association awarded him the Generations.

In January 2009, Waris Dirie Foundation created the new PPR for Dignity and Rights of Women, established in Paris by French tycoon Francois-Henri Pinault and his wife Salma Hayek. Already approved the first charity for Pakistan India, Congo, Benin, Nigeria, Spain and France.

Waris Dirie is an Austrian citizen and a mother of two children. It is also the co-producer DESERT FLOWER.

For more information about FGM:
FGM Waris Dirie Foundation
network would say-foundation.com www.waris www.fgmnetwork.org
Forward
World Health Organisation UK
www.who.int / reproductive-health / fgm www.forwarduk.org.uk

UNICEF Rainbo
www.unicef.org www.rainbo.org

Amnesty USA
www.amnestyusa.org / violence-against-women

CAMS - Commission pour l'Abolition des Mutilations Sexuelles
www.cams-fgm.org