Awareness raising campaign about FGM prevention mechanisms in Garowe district, Puntland-Somalia
Target Populations: The target beneficiaries were IDPs and host communities and SAAD reached 50 persons (25 Males and 25 Female).
The intervention was aimed to educate and empower communities so that they abandon FGM practice. The awareness raising emphasized on that the removal of or damage to healthy, normal genital tissue interferes with the natural functioning of the body and causes several immediate and long-term health consequences. During the campaign, SAAD presented messages taken from scientific evidence showing that FGM can lead to severe bleeding, problems in urinating, cysts, psychological and mental problems, complications in childbirth, and new-born deaths
In an effort to disassociate FGM from Islam, SAAD informed participants with Fatwas that had been issued against FGM by Islamic scholars in Puntland and Somalia. Those Fatwas were based on the fact that the Quran makes no reference of female circumcision and that there are no authentic and explicit Hadiths in the Sunna obligating the practice. It was emphasized that FGM is not an Islamic requirement but rather a harmful cultural practice that has been wrongly promoted
During the session, SAAD pointed that the commitment to the moral values of society should be guided by proper understanding and interpreting of the current reality, but not blindly following to the ancestors. SAAD stressed that female genital mutilation does not guarantee the promiscuity of the girl and therefore FGM should not be a requirement for a girl’s marriage. SAAD also underlined that FGM/C is recognized as a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights and an obstacle to gender equality.
Figure 1. Women participants discussed the FGM health consequences and how to prevent the FGM in Puntland.
SAAD shared with the communities the prevention and mitigation measures to be adopted in a bid to tackle the negative effects of FGM. SAAD also shared with the participants the benefits of the FGM Bill Act as well which is to be passed by the Puntland parliament. The campaign has achieved its objectives successfully. At the end of the session, a high number of participants accepted the notion that FGM is a harmful cultural practice that is wrongly linked to Islam and should thereby stopped. Harmonization of the Somali terminologies used by different organizations and personnel working in FGM prevention programs to prevent misinterpretation. It is difficult to abolish a deeply ingrained cultural practice like FGM.
Harmonization of the Somali terminologies used by different organizations and personnel working in FGM prevention programs to prevent misinterpretation. It is difficult to abolish a deeply ingrained cultural practice like FGM. It requires ongoing, sustained support as well as a rigorous evaluation strategy. To put a stop to FGM, the SAAD organization is dedicated to working with GIZ and other partners. We have the expertise and abilities necessary to make a significant contribution to the abandonment of FGM, so we call for longer-term support
Figure 2: Youth participants from Host community and IDPs discussed the FGM mitigation measures and elimination of FGM to zero tolerance in Puntland
Figure 3: Presentation of Groups who participated FGM awareness raising campaign mechanisms and different participants well described the terms of FGM in Somalia and recommended stop all forms of FGM in Puntland.
Figure 4: FGM prevention awareness raising participants shed on the light that FGM is a harmful cultural practice, and FGM is not requirement of the Islamic religion.
Figure 5: “FGM it is a very terrible cultural practice made by mothers with no health professions and knowledge; it is dangerous to the health and life of our girls; and it must be stopped and prevented”. Said one of the participants.
Figure 6: SAAD technical consultant expert of GBV and FGM/C and a healthcare professional, emphasized how FGM is detrimental for the social, emotional, and physical health of girls and women. As she addressed cultural challenges surrounding the FGM, she emphasized the importance of collaboration among the community members.
Figure 7: Awareness raising campaign participants reading the FGM prevention messages and mitigation measures mechanisms.