Aja Daffeh – Breaking Generational Chains

“The International Day of the Girl feels especially meaningful now that I am the mother of a newborn daughter,” says Aja Daffeh, an activist against female genital mutilation (FGM) and a model, who collaborates with International Solidarity Foundation (ISF). “My daughter will not have to endure the same violence I did.” 

Aja Daffeh has been working to combat FGM for years: speaking publicly about the violent procedure she endured at the age of four, raising awareness about the serious consequences of FGM, and participating in public discussions on the issue. In February, the documentary series Kokonainen (“Whole”) premiered, chronicling Daffeh’s journey to undergo restorative surgery for FGM. 

Becoming a parent was not a given for Aja Daffeh. FGM can make it harder to conceive and lead to complications during pregnancy. The fact that her baby is a girl is especially significant—a girl who will never experience the pain her mother went through. 

“The fact that I am having a daughter… it evokes this thought in me that the little girl who was once broken but grew into a strong adult can now bring into this world a truly strong child.” 

Fighting for All the World’s Daughters 

Having a daughter has strengthened Daffeh’s resolve to protect not only her own child but also other girls. “My will to fight has only grown stronger,” she states. “This fight is about saving every girl. If possible, FGM should be prevented entirely, not just repaired after the fact.” 

Globally, FGM is decreasing in many areas, but due to population growth and improved reporting, the number of women and girls living with its consequences continues to rise. Currently, over 230 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM. 

In Finland, it is estimated that approximately 10,000 women and girls have been subjected to FGM, and between 650 and 3,080 girls living in the country are at risk of being mutilated. Globally, over 44,000 women and girls die each year as a result of FGM and its complications. 

A Voice That Won’t Be Silenced 

Speaking out publicly about FGM has not always been easy for Daffeh. Criticizing the negative aspects of a culture that is personally significant has not always been well-received. Yet she has persevered. 

“Sometimes you forget how monumental it is to stand alone and fight against something that is such a big part of your culture.” 

What has given Aja Daffeh the strength to keep going, even when the road ahead feels impossible? She says that the birth of her daughter has given her a profound sense of her role and power in the generational chain. 

“The thought that I will be the one to break this chain of suffering across generations is simply incredible,” she explains. “I want to make a difference so that my daughter’s generation will not have to endure what my generation has gone through.”