FESOJ and MWN has commemorated the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM

Mogadishu, Monday, February 6, 2023: In partnership with the U.N Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) and Media Women Network ( MWN) has jointly organized and conducted symposiums for observation of the International Day of zero tolerance for FGM simultaneously in Mogadishu and Baidoa city, South West State of Somalia.

FESOJ and WMN has been organizing and conducting the program activities to observe the international day of zero tolerance for FGM from 1st to 6th February 2023 which was consisting of implementation of symposiums discussing eradication of FGM practice in Somalia – successes and challenges, production and dissemination of video, developing and dissemination of posters conveying public awareness raising messages against the practice of FGM.

The selected participants in the symposium events were Activists, CSOs, Religious leaders, government authorities, women organizations, members from the public, medical practitionersand human rights developments and female and male journalists.

The purpose of FESOJ and MWN organizing observing the event was to eventually eradicate FGM in Somalia and provide platform to discuss on the achievement and challenges of FGM elimination efforts in Somalia and raise awareness on the harmful effects of female genital mutilation (FGM).

The panelists of two events attempted to present the realistic in this issue one of panelist said“The effects we have seen include girls became as four months pregnant after the menstrual periods could not pass through; and had to be operated on.” Marian Omar, Nurse in Baidoa city indicated.

Mrs. Maryan Taqal from CSOs said “we are told every day that their daughters should not be circumcised, but they hide and circumcised. So,we should rise awareness, whether religious leaders or women in the media,work together to eliminate FGM”

“The religious scholars agree on that the FGM practice is un-religious. Female circumcision is not compulsory, some religious scholars believed circumcision should be done mildly, some believe the practice can be disregarded.” Sheikh Yusuf Ahmed, one of the religious scholars in Baidoa city stated.

According to Khadija Mohamed Diriye , Minister of Women Affairs and Human Rights Development the Somali government is planning to introduce a legislation on FGM for the first time in this year. She has appealed to the media to take major role in the awareness raising efforts against the practice of FGM.

In 2012, the UN General Assembly designated February 6th as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, with the aim to amplify and direct the efforts on the elimination of this practice.

The annual event provides an opportunity for all stakeholders involved in ending FGM to celebrate achievements, advocate for abandonment of the practice and raise awareness.

In this year 2023, the event was remembered globally under the theme of “Partnership with men and boys to transform social and gender norms to end FGM.”

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