"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"
The Unimaginable Pain of FGM
At just seven years old, Fardowsa* underwent the traumatic and painful procedure of FGM. "I remember the day I went through the cut. I was just seven years old. The pain I felt was unimaginable," she recalls. This painful experience left lasting scars, both physically and emotionally. "FGM has left lasting scars on my body, both physically and emotionally. Since the day I was cut, both the physical and emotional pain have become a part of my existence. It’s something I live with every day, and its effects have become an integral part of who I am till date," Fardowsa* says, reflecting on the lifelong impact of the procedure.
Her suffering didn’t end with FGM. At the age of 16, she was married off, beginning another chapter of hardship. “At the age of 16, my father married me off. It’s hard to put into words how young and vulnerable I was at that time,” she remembers. Early marriage brought its own set of challenges, including complications during pregnancy. Yet, through it all, Fardowsa*’s love and dedication to her children remained unwavering.
A Mother’s Determination to Break the Cycle
Following the sudden death of her mother, Fardowsa* fled her hometown of Mogadishu and moved to the IDP camp, where she found herself facing yet another struggle—ensuring the well-being and safety of her children. "I lost my mother when I was young. I had to flee from Mogadishu where I grew up with my family to this internally displaced people (IDP) camp. Life hasn’t been easy," she says. Fardowsa* was determined to protect her daughters from the horrors she had experienced. "I am breaking the cycle. I did not cut my daughters. I have worked over the years to ensure I protect them from this harmful practice," she proudly states.
Fardowsa*’s journey toward change did not stop at protecting her own children. She became a voice for her community, advocating for the eradication of FGM and speaking out against the harmful practice. Her powerful voice echoes throughout her community, and she has become a key advocate for change in the IDP camp. "Over the years, I’ve become a voice for change in my community," she says. "People know me as someone who speaks out against FGM, and I’m proud to say that my hard work is starting to pay off."
Victory and Challenges Ahead
Fardowsa*’s grassroots advocacy work culminated in a major victory when the President of Galmudug State signed a law to abolish FGM. "The President of Galmudug State signed a law to abolish FGM, which is a huge step. But there’s still a lot of work to do. We need to make sure that this law is fully implemented and respected in practice," Fardowsa* emphasizes.
Although this law represents a significant victory, she knows that her work is far from finished. "My work is far from over. I’m committed to ensuring that no girl in my community suffers from FGM," Fardowsa* declares. She continues to engage with her community, organizing awareness sessions and using her personal experiences to inspire change.
A Champion for Women and Girls
Fardowsa*’s commitment to women and girls extends beyond the fight against FGM. She is also a trained midwife, having graduated from SOS Village with a diploma in midwifery. With over 10 years of experience, Fardowsa* is passionate about supporting women and girls, especially those who are vulnerable during childbirth. "I’m passionate about helping other women and girls. It’s not just about raising awareness; I want to make sure that the girls I assist during childbirth and the women I work with are safe. I want them to be able to transition into womanhood without the harm of FGM," she explains.
In addition to her midwifery work, Fardowsa* uses poetry as a tool to express the deep pain caused by FGM. "One of the ways I do this is through poetry. I use my poems to express the deep pain that FGM causes," she shares.
Fardowsa* is also deeply grateful for the support she has received from organizations like the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Somalia and Save the Children Somalia. "The support I’ve received throughout my advocacy journey has been invaluable. Thanks to the workshops and seminars I’ve attended, I’ve gained the skills, knowledge, and confidence to keep pushing forward," she says.
Empowering the Next Generation
Fardowsa*'s activism extends beyond FGM prevention. As a key participant in the GAASHAAN project, funded by the UK, she is helping to empower women and girls, raise awareness about their rights, and give them a voice. "I am proud to be part of a project that helps amplify the voices of young girls and raises awareness about their rights and well-being," Fardowsa states.
She is also committed to raising awareness and advocating for gender-based violence (GBV) prevention in the face of ongoing humanitarian challenges. "Beyond fighting FGM, I’m also focused on empowering women and girls in my community," she says.
The GAASHAN Programme: Empowering Communities
The GAASHAN Programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), aims to provide sustainable humanitarian aid and prevent protection and GBV risks in South Central Somalia. The program directly benefits 43,756 individuals, including men, women, boys, and girls, with 5% being people with disabilities, across 18 districts in 9 regions, while also reaching over 117,200 indirect beneficiaries through advocacy and awareness efforts, with a focus on IDP camps and areas affected by conflict and climate-related shocks.
Implemented by a consortium of organizations, Save the Children leads the program alongside partners such as International Rescue Committee, CARE International, Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC), Somali Women and Development Centre (SWDC), Somali Women’s Studies Centre (SWSC), and GREDO. Fardowsa* and fellow advocates play a vital role in this program, raising awareness and fostering a safer, more empowered future for women and girls.
"Through this program, we continue targeting the most vulnerable communities who have been impacted by displacement due to conflict and climate-induced shocks," explains the Save the Children team.
