One organization is observing tomorrow by the planting of a special garden for peace in Washington, D.C. International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) tomorrow will host their 2017 “Ban FGM” at Mississippi Avenue and 13th Street, S.E. in Washington, D.C. The garden, called “Mother’s Peace Garden” is to uphold the dignity of women and girls worldwide, according to a representative from IWPG-DC. “We will be planting a garden for peace to commemorate and represent those affected by this global human rights issue”, said Jeannie V., the lead organizer of this event. IWPG believes that the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is rooted in gender inequality and that it attempts to control a woman’s purity, since it targets young women and violates their rights to health, security, and physical integrity.
Headquartered in South Korea, International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) was founded by Maria Nam-Hee Kim. A woman with a motherly heart, Maria Kim believes that peace begins with oneself. She said, “As individuals, we must first share our happiness and the value of life with others, and by doing this we can start to take small steps toward our goal. These small changes will improve our own lives and the lives of neighbors, until eventually the world will become peaceful.” This peace-loving mother has traveled the world, spreading her message of peace to countries such as Costa Rica, Uruguay, Peru, Uganda, Finland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, the U.S. and many others.
According to organizer, Jeannie V, IWPG plans to upkeep the Mother’s Peace Garden and will revisit the commemorative celebration annually. To join in this year’s celebration, stop by the Garden at 10:00am at the corner of Mississippi Avenue and 13th Street in Southeast Washington tomorrow, and be a part of this historic event.
