As part of the ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence’ campaign in Geneva, OHCHR will be showing two documentaries produced by IRIN/OCHA concerning violence against women.

On 6 December 2005, from 12:30 to 14:30 at Palais Wilson, OHCHR will be showing “Our Bodies … Their Battleground, Gender Based Violence During Conflict”. A discussion moderated by Aminata Gueye (UNHCR) will follow.

On 8 December 2005, from 12:30 to 14:30 at Palais Wilson, OHCHR will be showing “Razor’s edge, The Controversy of Female Genital Mutilation”. A discussion moderated by Eszter Kismodi (WHO) and Jane Cottingham (WHO) will follow.

• Our Bodies … Their Battleground, Gender Based Violence During Conflict highlights the crisis facing women, girls and infants throughout the world during conflict, and its aftermath. With a focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia, this film gives voice to victims of rape, and other forms of gender based violence, while challenging the culture of impunity that allows these acts to continue. The film also highlights some of the brave work women are doing to heal wounds and rebuild the shattered lives of the tens of thousands of females affected by these unpunished violent crimes.

English / Français
English / Français (18:59 min)


• Razor’s Edge, The Controversy of Female Genital Mutilation focuses on the issues that surround the widespread practice of female circumcision that still affects millions of women, girls and infants every year, particularly in Africa. Filmed in Sierra Leone and Ethiopia, this documentary sheds light on the cultural variations that surround this practice and the different levels of government and humanitarian intervention in place in both countries. The film gives voice to the generations of women who have been silenced by the secrecy that surrounds FGM and presents the real truth behind why it still exists today. The film shows that an end to FGM can only exist when governments impose the necessary legislation but will only end completely when the communities themselves no longer regard female circumcision as an essential part of tradition and culture.

Realplayer Windows Media player (16:48 min)