LW supports Somalia fundraiser
30 August 2011
LW join Michaeld D Higgins, Joe Costello TD and Cllr Emer Costello in supporting a Somalia fundraiser.
Labour Women joined Michael D. Higgins, Labour Party-nominated Candidate for the Office of President of Ireland and recently-appointed Patron of the charity Bóthar, and Joe Costello TD with Cllr Emer Costello to meet a young Somali woman, Ifrah Ahmed to support a Somalia fundraiser. Ifrah Ahmed has been campaigning against the practice of FGM, a campaign greatly supported by Labour Women and Labour TDs and Senators such as Senator Ivana Bacik, Minister Jan O'Sullivan TD and Sean Kenny TD. Now she is raising funds to help her fellow countrypeople in Somalia to survive the famine.
East Africa in experiencing yet again a famine as a result of a drought. 'Michael D Higgins visited Somalia in 1992. He was there then, and here is here now to show the solidary of the Irish', Commented Katherine Dunne LW Chair. ' He is truly someone who has the passion and humanity to always act in support of those who need help and whom we can help. The Irish know about hunger and famine. Michael D continues that proud tradition of standing with people who are going through what the Irish went through.' Michael D signed a photographic portrait which will be auctioned on 2nd Sept at a Somalia fundraising event, 9 Abbey Street Dublin 1.
Joe Costello TD and Cllr Emer Costello have been strong supporterers of Ifrah. 'Ifrah is one of those millions of women who had to endure FGM. She is now speaking out against it, drawing support from people who can see that FGM must be made illegal in this country. LW are very pleased that so many TDs such as Joe Costello and Cllrs such as Emer Costello, who also has spoken against Human Trafficking, lend their support to this cause.' The Female Genital Mutilation Criminal Justice Bill is due to pass into law in the Autumn. 'In passing this law, the Oireachtas will be acknowledging that FGM is a human rights issue of high importance and, as President of Ireland, I would intend to maintain a strong emphasis on human rights issues throughout my term of Office', Michael D said.
