Somalia

‘‘As a woman leader in GBV response, I face immense challenges, especially due to cultural norms that discourage open discussions on such topics. But I refuse to remain silent. I have seen firsthand the consequences of GBV on women and girls. It is my responsibility to use my voice to break the cycle of violence.''

‘‘When a woman or girl seeks help, she often hesitates to share what happened. She may fear being judged by others or worry about dealing with all the stigma that comes with incidents of GBV. At times, some even refuse basic care and support, such as medical checkups or medication, because of the stigma associated with their experiences,’’ –said Sundus* 23, a case worker in Hiran region of Somalia.

"I was cut at the age of 7. The pain I felt was unimaginable. Since the day I was cut, both the physical and emotional pain have become a part of my existence"

“I watched my wife endure unimaginable pain during childbirth because of FGM. As a I couldn’t bear the thought of my daughters facing the same fate. It was my duty to protect them from a lifetime of pain. In my community, many saw FGM as an unbreakable tradition, but to me, it was a form of cruelty that needed to end. No child should ever be subjected to this kind of harm,”. Said Mohamed*.

"The situation was terrifying. My daughter was so small, and she was very weak. Watery stool after watery stool, and she couldn't keep anything down. She wouldn't even take breast milk. Her eyes looked sunken, and she just lay there so weak. I was so scared I was going to lose her.”