Another Traditional Elder Speaks Out on Radio Against FGM, in Jowhar, Somalia

By Aadan Da’uud,

More Elders join the fight to End FGM After the death of Fartun, a 13-year-old girl who bled to death after undergoing FGM in July.

The Media Campaign:

Ahmed Haji Muhumed (Sokeli), a Somali traditional elder, and Mohamed DeekAbdiwahab Barrow, a youth from Jowhar, participated in the program aimed at the Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation. They discussed the role Somali men can play in preventing female genital mutilation (FGM) from harassing Somali girls.

The talk show discussed the death of 13-year-old girl Fartun who died because of bleeding after being cut in central part of Somalia. This death really shook the nation and now more Elders are standing up to fight against FGM. Read more about Fartun here.

Ahmed Sokeli spoke about the dangers of female genital mutilation FGM and cited examples of times when girls feel the effects of FGM such as menstruation, persistent labor, citing a long-standing tradition that is not good and needs to be addressed.

He called on Somali fathers to play their part in protecting the rights of children, especially girls, who are often vulnerable to various problems, such as educating their mothers and telling them that female genital mutilation FGM is not a good thing.

“If a girl is being cut, she will have no respect or love for her husband because an essential part of her reproductive tissues is being removed that affected her sexual and reproductive right.”
Mohamed Deek

In addition to the persistent health problems that come with being circumcised, the recent incident of a 13-year-old girl being circumcised and bleeding to death is a case in point, Ahmed Sokeli was asked what he knew about Female Genital Mutilation and the family’s culture. He shared:

“I have talked to my sons and they have told me that there is a better and more comfortable life for girls who are not circumcised.”
Ahmed Sokeli


He laughed and said that he would like to be a young man to be one of the lucky men.

Daughters FGM is done, causing continued problems after the elders need to prevent mothers from performing female genital mutilation as the problem of female genital mutilation has been seen.

Mohamed DekAbdi-wahab Barrow sent a message to young men highlighting the problem of female genital mutilation in various sections of society.

He said young people love girls who have not been subjected to female genital mutilation, which he said is good sexual intimacy for her husband, urging parents and young men to play their part in educating parents.

After the programme to raise awareness about the health risks has been talked about FGM Mohamed Dek said