Fatumo Awil Duale carries forward the message against female genital mutilation

The 52-year-old Somali woman, Fatumo Awil Duale, works as a cleaner at the Burao hospital. She shares with us her experiences in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM).

Fatumo Awil Duale participates in the work of International Solidarity Foundation and the SOYDAVO organization to reduce violence against women. Their goal is to eradicate common forms of violence in Somaliland, such as female genital mutilation, early marriages, and domestic violence, by addressing their root causes. The work also aims to promote gender equality and improve the reproductive health of women and girls.

Awil Duale lives in the Mulac camp for internally displaced persons in Burao, in the Togdheer region. Refugee camps like Mulac provide shelter for people who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflicts or drought. The SOYDAVO organization works in the camp, striving to improve living conditions and ensure the safety of its residents.

Fatumo Awil Duale has two daughters and one son. Awil Duale and her eldest daughter have both undergone FGM. Both suffer from its consequences: Awil Duale experienced difficult childbirths, losing her first two children due to complications. In the next deliveries, cesarean sections were required to ensure her and her babies’ safety. Her daughter, on the other hand, has suffered from chronic menstrual pain and kidney issues.

Raising Awareness of the Harms of FGM

Awil Duale previously supported FGM due to cultural beliefs she inherited from her mother. She thought FGM improved women’s status, curbed sexuality, and prepared girls for marriage. However, she is now an active opponent of FGM. Her change of perspective was influenced by education on its harms and the realization that FGM is not a religious obligation.

For her younger daughter, Awil Duale made a critical decision: she did not subject her to FGM. As a result, the younger daughter has not suffered from the same health issues as her older sister.

Awil Duale and other women from her village engaged in anti-violence work regularly gather to discuss the complications caused by FGM. Their aim is to save young girls from the physical, sexual, and social harms of the practice.

These brave pioneering women are committed to achieving zero tolerance for FGM. Their long-term goal is to ensure that girls can decide for themselves about their sexual and reproductive health.