Somali survivors of female genital mutilation advocate to change minds – and lives
MOGADISHU, Somalia – “I used to feel fear when it was night time,” mother-of-two Nurto Abdi Osman told UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.
Raising the voices of survivors to create a generation free from female genital mutilation in Ethiopia
DALOCHA DISTRICT, Ethiopia – When she was fourteen, Zekia discovered that her parents were secretly preparing for her older sister to undergo female genital mutilation.
Breaking the cycle for survivors: UNFPA offers counselling and support to abandon female genital mutilation in Yemen
HADRAMOUT GOVERNORATE, Yemen – “I lost my baby in front of my eyes,” said Safia*, a young woman from a remote village in Hadramout, Yemen. Safia’s marriage had been arranged for her 21st birthday. One year later, she was pregnant.
Countering female genital mutilation in Sudan: “I didn’t know it was possible not to cut my daughter”
KHARTOUM, Sudan – “I personally experienced female genital mutilation and its harmful effects. I will not allow my daughters to be exposed to this,” said Zuha from White Nile state, in southern Sudan.
Rallying men and boys in the fight against female genital mutilation
“Everything that can harm must be fought.” Babani Sidi Mohamad first heard about female genital mutilation when he was 14 years old. His sisters had been subjected to female genital mutilation, but when he asked why, they didn’t know – they were too young at the time to understand what was happening to them.