Powerful Radio conversation to End FGM: Jowhar, Somalia

By Adan Hussein,

A scientific debate on stopping female circumcision was held at Asal Radio Center in Jowhar. Fatima Hassan Ali and Nasteho Abokor Omar, both female scholars living in Jowhar, shared their stories.

Radio Asal:

The debate was moderated by Adan Hussein Da’ud the director of Radio Asal and a member of the journalist’s movement to stop female circumcision.

Fatima Hassan Ali is one of the staff of UNICEF Jowhar. Fatima shared the discussion programme on the problems of circumcision for girls, which said that society still needs more awareness.

“When our offices visit the community, we work with them to stop violence against children in Jowhar.”
Fatima Hassan, UNICEF Jowhar

“Female circumcision is a bad thing because I was present at an incident where a young girl was circumcised and was brought from a village outside of Jowhar city, She bled a lot while being taken to the Mother and Child Hospital in Jowhar, and the doctors gave the little girl blood because she was bleeding profusely while being taken to Jowhar.”
Fatima Hassan, UNICEF Jowhar

“I request parents especially mothers to stop this circumcision is not good doctors told us to stop circumcision and please stop the abuse that is being inflicted on your daughters.” Fatima Hassan
Fatima Hassan, UNICEF Jowhar

On the other hand, Nastexo Abukar Omar is the director of Radio Heals. Nasteho told the truth about the problem of female circumcision and said that there are mothers who still cling to the wrong idea that girls should be circumcised and that will harm the girl’s mind and her health.

We at Radio Heals broadcast programs on stopping female circumcision. We work with organizations like GMC & Ifrah Foundation. I appreciate the joint efforts of the organisations I have mentioned.

Strong messages from the Media Campaign:

It has happened many times that mothers have complained during labour period and the doctors have given the reason for the circumcision.

We know that the circumcised girl has problems during the menstrual period, during her wedding, and also during childbirth.

Recently there was a very painful incident in Bananey village in the Middle Shabelle region after the circumcision was performed on a little girl who was bleeding and was taken to a hospital in Jowhar city.