Having been in Somaliland in the spring, Orchid Project really felt the hope as communities were beginning to discuss their human rights and the practice of FGC. So it is now very inspiring to be able to see progress being made with the news that twenty-eight communities of Maroodi Jeex, Somaliland have declared their abandonment of female genital cutting and child/forced marriage just a few weeks ago, on July 7, 2012.
Female genital cutting in Somaliland
FGC is a common cultural and socio-economic tradition in Somaliland and is practised by all the four major clans of the country. According to a 2006 UNICEF study, the national FGC prevalence among women aged 15-49 years is 98%. Although it varies from urban, rural and nomadic communities, the most common form of FGC is Pharaonic (FGM/C type three-III), which is very severe and entails infibulation (almost complete closure) of the female genitalia. The 2006 study found that 77% of women who have undergone FGC in the country have experienced the Pharaonic type of cutting.
In Somaliland not only is the most extreme form of FGC commonly practised, but there is also a strong belief that FGC is a religious obligation and a requirement for a girl’s marriageability. FGC is not prescribed by any religion, and is not supported by any religious text, but the belief that it is a requirement is one reason the practice is promoted. This rationale (as well as the belief that it is a requirement for marriage), become culturally transmitted myths that form cultural barriers preventing open discussion within communities. Furthermore they prevent women from speaking openly to other women about their lives and issues, including FGC.
At a community in Somaliland with Tostan, March 2012
Conversations and progress
Yet we saw while in Somaliland that great progress was being made, with discussions becoming more open, and religious leaders, ministry workers and NGOs starting to get involved. People there are beginning to talk openly about FGC, and its myths, and how Somaliland communities can use locally relevant explanations to dispel them. Proof of this openness and desire for change is evident in the communities of Maroodi Jeex.
After two years of human rights based learning, through Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program funded by UNICEF, these 28 Somaliland communities have been able to decide to abandon the cultural practice of FGC. While participating in this program, the communities received training on democracy, human rights, problem solving, and hygiene and health provided in national languages. In an interview on Somali BBC radio, one woman stated, “The empowerment I received from Tostan will save my two younger daughters from being cut; their older sisters were not as fortunate.”
Abandonment ceremony
The event, held in Hargeisa, was attended by more than 5,000 people and was broadcasted on BBC radio and shown on local television. It was moderated by the Second Lady of Somaliland, and other attendees included the Presidential Advisor on Women’s and Minority Affairs, religious and traditional leaders, senior officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs, as well as representatives from several women’s organisations.
Joining the twenty other Somaliland communities to have officially abandoned the practice of FGC in 2009, the twenty-eight communities of Maroodi Jeex formally declared that, “As from today and witnessed by politicians, traditional/religious leaders, government officials and the common men, women and children, we 28 communities of Maroodi Jeex do hereby declare unanimously the abandonment of all forms of FGC.”
With this inspiring event, we have great hope that the discussion of FGC, and especially in the context of human rights, will continue. Just as these twenty-eight communities have shown that change is possible and is happening within Somaliland, we hope that other communities will follow their example and begin the conversation.
