It was supposed to be a three-month exchange program. In my second year of university, in 2006, doing a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Service in a reputable university in Kenya. Whilst looking for priceless experience in this honorable course, I applied for an exchange program in Mogadishu University and got accepted. I had heard so many stories about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and how openly it was still being practiced in most villages there.
Two weeks into my ‘internship’ I was able to convince four students of the university to help me find a nearby village that is still deep into FGM. Two of the students were of Somali origin and they were kind enough to take us there. Upon arrival, I noticed a small dispensary that was filled with people, both in and out. I was curious to know what was happening.
After asking around I came to know that there were two sisters who had been rushed to the dispensary and in bad condition. One was 16 years old. Married off a year ago and she was now 9 months pregnant. Before getting married she had undergone the cut. She was now in labor but her cervix had not dilated even a centimeter due to complications she later got after the FGM. She was now fighting for her life as the dispensary was not well equipped for an emergency c-section. Her younger sister also had child birth complications. She was unmarried but had been cut at the same time with her sister. This basically defiled the whole concept of FGM which is believed to be practiced so as suppress a woman’s sexuality in order to realize that one gets married in honor. I also came to know that the two girls had another sister who died on the operating bed while undergoing FGM.
It became very evident the extent of harm FGM is causing among girls. Girls who are forced to undergo FGM, forced into early marriages. I needed to do something. When I came back to Kenya, I liaised with some organizations that were supporting eradication of FGM. I found out that different communities in Kenya were still practicing the same. We were able to set up a few rescue centers in areas where these practices were rampant. I figured if I could start from home, we’d soon be able to reach far and wide including Somalia.
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Rose Macharia
29 Responses
It shows the adversity of fgm. Thank you for writing.
Indeed. Made self beliefs that need to be scrapped.
Thank you for the response.
Great piece. It’s unfortunate thatFGM is still being practiced. We should strive to have it abolished completely.
We shall put on a fight to ensure implementation
Worthy subject that needs to be supported urgently.
Very sure. Its a practice whose duration is long overdue.
Unfortunately millions of girls have had to undergo this unkindest cut. It’s a high time this is halted
“I figured if I could start from home” We can all start from our homes to help uproot this (FGM) Evil. Nice piece.
Thank you. Within then and without.
How unfortunate that FGM is still being practiced in this era. Great piece! Awareness oughts to be created on what is going on.
In places where it’s not practiced openly, it is practiced in greater secrecy. Doing something about it will help in uprooting it.
What we have seen and observed, has informed our urge to disrupt FGM. Thank you for the initiative of rescue centre. May there fences widen far.
FGM and early marriages are intertwined. A safe haven for our girls and an opportunity to secure a bright future for themselves.
Life threatening cultural practices must be put to an end.
I agree. Imagine the intense pain,
excessive bleeding,
infections such as tetanus (these cutting tools are mostly shared), the would takes time to heal. Which can cause severe infections. Why let a small girl go through all this? This practice must be stopped.
A painful realization.
A little too late. The loud silence of mourning depicts the true reality of this cut.
This was indeed engaging but horrific as well.The story spreads awareness as well.
Type III FGM (Infibulation) which involves narrowing of the vaginal opening. This in most cases leads to complications during childbirth which is a long time effect of this practice.
I am even learning that there are versions of FGM. How traumatizing can it be?
High time this harmful practice goes. There is no medical advantage, just harm.
It’s very unfortunate that most young girls undergoing the process never know the consequences there after due to lack of knowledge we should try spreading the information as we can to safe the lives and the pain one goes through
With the mental heaviness it lets on its victims, this practice has just to be let go.
That’s true. Lacking knowledge plus most if not all are so young (10-16 yrs) but what is even more unfortunate is their inability to do something about it unless they run away. As this practice is forced on them.
This is beautiful content, being as it were , hinged on a practice inimical to human flourishing.
By spreading the gospel of it being unwanted, we help push for its eradication.
Thank you. Together we can push the agenda to finally see that FGM/FGC becomes a thing of the past.
This is a wonderful and eye-opening piece. Thank you for telling this very important story. 💯🙏🏾
It’s funny how a practice that started as early as 163BC and it’s still being practiced to date. Both openly and in greater secrecy. Even with the overwhelming evidence of how harmful it is. Mutilation, death and it is still condoned? No. Unacceptable. FGM MUST GO, FOR GOOD.