Head Chief of the Elders Shares his Anti-FGM Beliefs on MMTV in the Somali Region, Ethiopia

By Nim’an Ahmed,

Nim’an Ahmed, works for MMTV Television. MMTV is a new Television with high-quality HD TV which is very common in admirable social and political debates. Mass media awareness, Somali dramas, and family films are specifically very interested by Somali Communities.

The Media Campaign:

MMTV has watched all East African countries especially Somali people living areas and some other abroad countries.

On September 1st, 2021, Nim’an interviewed the Chief head of the Somali Region traditional elders, Garaad Kulmiye Garad Dool, about the role of traditional elders in raising awareness to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Somali region.

Garaad Kulmiye: Head Chief of the Elders

Garaad Kulmiye who spoke on the Summer Time cutting Media Campaign strongly condemned the problems of FGM and all violence’s against women and children which both Islamic religion and Somali culture don’t allow to be committed.

“This culture is not really viable and I oppose it on behalf of the traditional elders of the Somali region.”
Garaad Kulmiye

On the other hand, Garad Kulmiye welcomed the GMC Somali region Media Campaign work and encouraged to continue programmes like this and another panel discussions about ending FGM in the Somali region.

Garad Kulmiye said that he would like to request to give training about this harmful tradition to the Traditional leaders in the Somali region this will play an active role in guiding the rural population.

Garaad Kulmiye talked about a young girl he met while in rural Jigjiga who was subjected to female genital mutilation.

Garaad Kulmiye narrated a short story about that he remembered and said, there was a man who was a friend of mine and circumcised his young daughter, the tragedy was even worse than the family tragedy that took the girl to the local, regional and national hospitals but she did not recover and later she developed a mental condition.

In conclusion, the chief Garad called on the traditional elders of the Somali community to play their role in educating women about female genital mutilation and creating jobs for the doers of FGM to the young girls so as to stop this horrific tradition that destroyed our children’s future.