Journalists End FGM talk about recent FGM survivor Documentary, Broadcast to Three Main Somali TV Stations, Somalia Region, Ethiopia

By Ahmed Abdirahman Ibrahim,

My name is Ahmed Abdirahman Ibrahim, a Somali journalist from RTN Somali TV Jigjiga Office Type of Media and its reach Type of media: Television known us RTN Somali TV, Jigjiga Office.

RTN TV covers and reaches around the world and specifically in the horn of Africa and is viewed by millions of viewers and followers.

Project Title:

After winning a media grant from the Global Media Campaign I have prepared a programme on the impact of a recent documentary film on the plight of people suffering from female genital mutilation. The program, which was broadcast live on regional Media, was the first of its kind in the Somali region on women’s issues.

In this panel discussion, I hosted journalists from HorncableTV, Horyaal TV, and Goobjoog TV, and we discussed the importance of the film and the reaction of their viewers and supporters after they watched the film.

Our Success:

Our greatest success was to measure the impact of a recent documentary film, which was about the plight of people suffering from female genital mutilation in the Somali population and how it is important to end FGM in Somali territory.

Strong Messages

Shucayb b Obsiiye

The journalist who made the film talked about the purpose of the film and how they made it. Speaking on the programme, Shucayb said:

"We have invested a lot of time in presenting high-quality HD film that displays the real situation of the victims of female genital mutilation in the Somali region." Shucayb b Obsiiye, Documentary Director, To #EndFGM Share on X

This documentary was developed by the Global Media Campaign, which provides continuous support to region Somali media.

Awke Ali from Horyaal TV

Spoke about the impact of the film and the social reaction to his TV.

“If I look at the film, it was very well prepared. People appreciated it, especially what the suvivor did and people were shocked when they saw her story." Awke Ali from Horyaal TV. Share on X

Meanwhile, the film has been widely circulated on Somali social media, with thousands of views on our YouTube and Facebook pages

Muhiyaden Mohamed from GoobJoog TV

also spoke and said that it is important to maintain media awareness.

"I would like to add to the discussion the continuation of media campaigns, such as this film, dramas, interviews as well as support for mothers who practice female genital mutilation." Muhiyaden Mohamed from GoobJoog TV Share on X

Finally, RTN TV concluded our discussion by saying that the media is the only solution to eradicate harmful practices, especially female genital mutilation.

RTN TV and the host TV journalists said that they thank the global media campaign for the grants and fund supports for Somali local media campaigns and their continued efforts to eradicate FGM at zero tolerance.