“No” to Female Genital Mutilation in Ethiopia 

Abener Eyuel Jerene, 30, works as a communications intern for the International Solidarity Foundation in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. He ended up working for a women’s rights organisation by a somewhat roundabout route. 

While studying mechanical engineering, Jerene discovered a passion for content creation and video production alongside his friends. After graduating with his engineering degree, he decided to pivot toward film and media. “Now my dream is to become a skilled storyteller on humanitarian issues,” he says. 

For Jerene, it is self-evident that action must be taken against female genital mutilation (FGM). If he could put an end to one thing, it would be FGM. “‘No’ to female genital mutilation,” says Jerene. 

Harmful traditions 

Jerene first heard about FGM when he was thirteen, when harmful traditional practices were discussed in a social studies and ethics class at school. In his view, there could be more education on the subject. In addition to FGM, the lessons covered child marriage, violence and placing excessive responsibility on children. 

It was only after starting to work at the International Solidarity Foundation that Jerene came to understand how serious and widespread a problem FGM is for girls and women. He grew up in the Addis Ababa metropolitan area, where FGM is not commonly practised. According to Jerene, gender equality is more advanced in the capital region and women are treated well. After travelling for work to Jijiga, in the Somali Region, he saw first-hand how many people are affected by FGM and how much work remains to be done.

A vicious cycle 

The current situation is that, in order to make ends meet, most women need a husband who supports them financially. In certain areas, such as the Somali Region, many people believe that a woman must undergo FGM in order to get married. An uncircumcised woman may face discrimination and may not be considered a potential or “respectable” wife. This is how the tradition continues. 

“It is a kind of vicious cycle,” Jerene says. 

Men and women also have different responsibilities. “When I visited Degahabur in the Somali Region, I noticed that men came to meetings in the morning, while many women could only arrive in the afternoon,” Jerene says. “This is because women have responsibilities tied to the home.” 

Change is in the air 

Jerene says that progress has been made. For example, in Oromia in southern Ethiopia, some communities have already abandoned FGM. In the Somali Region, however, some people settle for a dangerous compromise: they condemn the most severe form of FGM but may still accept a less severe form, according to Jerene. 

Men also have an important role to play in efforts to end FGM among girls and women, as the practice is closely linked to patriarchal structures. As a first step, the government should implement comprehensive legislation. Bilateral meetings and work to change attitudes are most effective when carried out systematically and in an organised way. Although women often continue the tradition of FGM, men have significant influence. “That is why it is important that a modern man does not demand that his wife undergo FGM,” Jerene says.