Bridging two worlds, Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter tells the moving story of one Malian mother’s fight for asylum in the US to protect her two-year-old daughter from female genital cutting. Expertly interweaving scenes from Mali of girls preparing for an excision ceremony and scenes from Philadelphia where those who have survived the ceremony share their stories, the film demonstrates precisely why and how Mrs. Goundo fights for her daughter and her future.

Filmmakers Barbara Attie and Janet Goldwater in attendance

Human Rights Watch’s Women’s Rights division has done research and advocacy on various issues related to female genital cutting through its work on sexual autonomy and reproductive choices as well as its work on women’s status in the family and their formal legal status. For more on our Women’s Rights division’s work please visit http://www.hrw.org/en/category/topic/women.

preceded by:
Sanctuary
Lovejit K Dhaliwal—UK—2008—4m—animation
In English

Sanctuary is the true story of one woman, Marjorie, who tries to seek asylum in the UK. Speaking of her experiences in her own words, this film illustrates the journey she goes through—her inner journey as she confronts the effects of her torture and her outward journey as she struggles for asylum.

Presented in association with Birds Eye View Film Festival, www.birds-eye-view.co.uk and FORWARD, www.forwarduk.org.uk