Minister Urges the Hir-Shabelle State to End FGM, A Powerful Radio awareness programme, Somalia

Officials from Hir-Shabelle State whom we met in Jowhar town welcomed the public awareness campaign to end female genital mutilation.

Minister Omar Gabow, a member of the Hir-Shabelle State. Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of the Hir-Shabelle State Omar Gabow, as part of our invitation to Asal Radio, called on the entire community to take responsibility for ending female genital mutilation and saving the future of girls.

Minister Omar

"It is necessary to raise awareness among women in the suburbs, who are aware of the dangers of female genital mutilation, and the campaign to end female genital mutilation is a good thing and needs to be done regularly for new… Click To Tweet "It is important for parents to unite to end female genital mutilation to find a lasting solution to the problem, which has become a disease in Somali society, especially in Hir Shabelle." Minister Omar Mohamed Omar, Somalia Click To Tweet "I have talked about it before and I would like to reiterate that female genital mutilation (FGM) should be stopped because we all know the problem." Minister Omar Mohamed Omar, Somalia Click To Tweet

I call on the relevant Ministries such as the Ministry of Health and HirShabelle Health Centers in general to end FGM / C and participate in the Campaign to End Female Genital Mutilation.

The Minister also called on the Ministry of Health in Hir-Shabelle to play its part in raising awareness to end female genital mutilation. Mothers and fathers who have joined us in the Female Genital Mutilation Awareness Program have also welcomed the increase in the role of parents in participating to stop Female Genital Mutilation.

A mothers experience of FGM on her daughter:

Saadiya Abdulkadir, a mother who lives in Jowhar town, told us during a visit to her home that female genital mutilation (FGM) can lead to health problems as well as negative effects on girls’ health and should be stopped.

Mamo Saadiya cites the example of her daughter, who claims to have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) by her grandmother.

"My daughter bleeds during birth. This is because of circumcision. I urge her parents to stop this circumcision." Mamo Saadiya speaking about her daughter who was put through FGM by her grandmother. Click To Tweet

On the other hand, Issa Hassan is a father living in Jowhar town.

Issa Hassan reacted strongly and called on parents to refrain to stop female genital mutilation (FGM), saying that menstruation can cause health problems, as well as problems during weddings and childbirth Health.

"Please stop FGM every day we hear about awareness and you continue to do so please stop." Issa Hassan, father living in Jowhar town, Somalia Click To Tweet