Giving back dignity to women
November 25, 2014
NAIROBI- World Vision Somalia continues to be at the forefront in advocating for the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a major cause of fistula in Somalia. Women and young girls are in most cases unable to access specialized health for Fistula, while stigmatization has led to untold suffering.
FGM has been a critical issue among girls in different parts of the world. The partial or total cutting away of the external female genitalia has been practiced for a long time in parts of Africa, generally as a rite of passage preparing young girls for womanhood and marriage. Those who undergo the procedure are often celebrated and appreciated by the community while girls who fail to go through the procedure are socially isolated.
A recent report released by UNICEF indicates an FGM prevalence of 98% among Somali women aged between 15 and 49. Often performed without anesthetic and in septic conditions, the practice, which has no health benefits, intentionally causes injury to female reproductive organs. FGM can cause permanent health problems including fistula, severe pain and even death.
“The impact of FGM on education is severe. Quite a number of girls in Somaliland end up dropping out of school once they undergo the cut, because after FGM, a girl is seen as a woman, and is ideally ready for marriage. Many girls end up in early marriages cutting short their dreams.” Says Nimco Eid, a World Vision social worker based in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Currently the organization runs a Fistula treatment hospital in Borama, Somaliland offering hope to hundreds of women who developed fistula as a result of FGM and related causes. The project has so far assisted 41 fistula-affected women to undergo corrective surgery, access medicines and instructions until their fistula injures are healed.
“Through our advocacy programs, we have also been able to reach over 13,000 women, educating them on harmful effects of FGM and empowering them to adopt alternative rites of passage practices.” Nimco adds. “We hope to continue empowering women to speak out against this practice.”
The International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, February 6, is a day set aside to make the world aware of female genital mutilation (FGM) and to promote its eradication. According to a July 2013 UNICEF report, as many as 30 million girls are at risk of being cut over the next decade if the current trends persist.
Hope through surgery
Having grown up in a poor home in Somaliland, Hodan a 17-year-old mother of one missed out on education opportunities. By age 13, she had undergone FGM and married. However, the marriage was abusive both emotionally and physically. When her husband learnt she was pregnant, he divorced her. Hodan faced a new challenge of supporting herself and her unborn child.
During delivery, Hodan was taken to a traditional birth attendant who forced out the baby too early, leaving her injured. With no treatment, she soon developed fistula- a condition where stool and urine pass without control.
For the next two years, she lived with the condition suffering silently. She would avoid public places for fear of public ridicule. Hodan’s family soon became tired of clean up after her and caring for her son.
When the Fistula project was introduced to the Hodan’s community, her case was quickly identified. World Vision staff approached her family who agreed to take her to the Borama fistula hospital. After a successful surgery, she spent another 15 days recovering and received counseling.
On returning back home, Hodan expressed her joy. “I cannot describe how happy I am. I feel very happy now that I can go anywhere without fearing.” she says. She is now able to freely interact with other people and to support her family through small businesses. “I dream of going back to school, and completing my education.” Hodan concludes.