For the past 10 years, 15 Square have been involved with the annual Worldwide Day of Genital Autonomy.
This commemorates the day that the courts ruled that non-consensual non-medical genital surgery was prohibited as set out by German law at the time.
This has since been known as ‘The Cologne Ruling’.
The Cologne Ruling was soon after over-ruled by Angela Merkel. Symbolically, however, the event represented an important moment whereby the consent of the individual was recognised by a legal institution with respect to personal bodily autonomy.
Genital Autonomy - A worthy cause
Each year participants deliver live presentations and walk in a demonstration through Cologne from the courthouse to represent those who advocate informed individual consent.
Whilst we have an important message to express, the attendees are always approachable, level-headed, and good-spirited.
Organisations from around the world join in, and historically it has been a live event, however, the past two years have also been digital as people have watched online presentations from around the world.
Everyone is still welcome (and encouraged!) to attend in person, as the event (hosted by MOGIS E.V) has always been a great opportunity for networking, friendship, and learning.
For those of you who are interested in joining in person, you can find more details about the event here.
Remember – the more people attending in person, the more visible these issues of self-determination, and bodily autonomy will become.
If you can’t attend in person, then please feel free to watch with us online for an educational and informative experience – you will be able to watch the grassroots procession from the Courthouse to the Cologne City Centre as it will be streamed live!
You can listen to our ambassador, Lesley Roberts sharing her son’s story at the online event in 2021 here:
There are a wide variety of topics discussed at the event, and we always leave the event very well informed and profoundly impressed by the presentations.
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