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TV Show Discussions on the Serious Effects of FGM, Somali Region, Ethiopia 

By Shucayb Obsiiye,

My name is Shucayb Obsiiye, I am a Somali journalist based in Jigjiga who has worked with some of the main media houses in the region for the past years. I currently work for Horn cable TV in the Somali region of Ethiopia. In addition, I am one of the journalists who write on social media from the Somali region of Ethiopia country.

My Work:

For the last two years, I was leading the anti-FGM campaign during that time our campaign has reached millions of Somali region population. We have mobilized Somali region journalists and media, artists and singers bands, doctors associations, anti-FGM campaigners, social activists, youth associations, women associations, traditional elders, and religious leaders.

The Media Project:

To mark the international day of child girl on 11 October celebration, I organized a TV program on Horn cable TV as part of a media campaign program for the commemoration of International Girls’ Day which I participated in a panel discussion with girls from civil society organizations on the occasion of International child Girls’ Day. I also sponsored a one-hour TV program, which was broadcast on horn cable TV on 11 October 2021. 

Media Reach

  • Horn cable TV is one of the most widely watched Somali TV’s which has millions of viewers and supporters across the Somali nation and reaches all Somali territories in eastern Africa and beyond.
  • This Television facilitated our media campaign to reach millions of Somali population who need to get the awareness about the negative impact of FGM and its side effects to end FGM in the Somali region and that is the reason we selected this TV channel.

Our Success:

I have been invited to the panel discussion of Somali women civil society organizations on the international day of a child girl. We discussed the problems young girls face during adolescence, including the practice of female genital mutilation, sexual abuse, and other inhuman-related problems to young girls. 

The debate took place in the Somali regional capital of Jigjiga, 11-October-2021, at the Sahal International Hotel. 

It was a great success to achieve this international media campaign Moreover, I have achieved great media campaigns such as 11th October commemoration 2020, 8th March women’s day 2021, 6th February 2021, 16th June commemoration for African child 2021, and other more media campaigns activities like panel discussions, case studies, TV shows, Media promotions, media debates. I have especially achieved re-starting the draft written Fatwa to end FGM in the Somali region.

Strong Messages:

Nasrin Mohamed Shugri From Curis Creative and Talent Club. 

Nasrin’s highlights from the International Day for Young Girls include: 

"The first abuse starts at home when boys are pressured to learn and achieve their life goals, and young girls are normalized at home. Is that fair? Don't the girls need to achieve their life goals?" Nasrin Mohamed Click To Tweet

Hodan Khalif Mohamed from Gorof Literacy Academy 

Hodan, speaking today at a debate on the elimination of female genital mutilation, said: 

"There is no serious problem greater than harming the body of an innocent young girl being abused in childhood. At any time, the criminals must be brought in front of the law and strict action must be taken by Islamic sharia law.” Hodan… Click To Tweet

Hodan also noted:

 “Their academy is busy for writing stories and practical case studies about the young girls’ abuse in the past to be a lesson in the future for other young girls”

Hodan Khalif Mohamed

Layla Hussein Gamiye From Hiigsi Women’s Development Organization in the Somali Region. 

Layla was one of the guests at today’s panel discussion on the International Day of the child girl.

 Layla said on the occasion many acts of violence against young girls during their development stages such as forced marriage, early marriage, sexual harassment, and other humanitarian issues.

And said as follows:

 “Currently in 2021, there may not be parents who can force their children but the girls are required to decide the future of their lives so that they are not exchanged for the property of a man.”

Layla Hussein Gamiye

She also mentioned the abuses of FGM as follows:

 “Currently female genital mutilation is declining in urban areas due to general media and social media outreach in particular, but it needs to do something in remote rural areas.”

Layla Hussein Gamiye

Ruth Harley

Ruth Harley is working with GMC as a Website News Editor, compiling stories written by End FGM campaigners working with the Global Media Campaign to End FGM across Africa. Alongside this work, she is running The Women’s Vinyl Project which empowers women and girls through singing and music and is helping to end FGM.