Khadija’s Story: FGM Survivor Turned Advocate & Community Leader

My name is Khadija, {not her real name} a 28 years old living in the Karama IDP camp Galkacyo District. My life took a horrific turn when I was 8yeras old. My mother informed me that we will be visiting my grandma back in the village. I was so excited about the whole visit; little did I know that my whole life was to take a horrific turn. I ended up becoming a victim of the cut. Together with nine other girls, were dressed only in our traditional outfit{Dirac}and all taken under a huge tree. There we were waited for by an old gigantic lady with several unhygienic tools like knives and razors besides her. One after another well witnessed the other go through the brutal act. When mu turn came, I was held to the ground by three strong women, then the old lady proceeded to do the act without any Anastasia.I screamed to the top of my voices as the pain was too unbearable. The women ended up making fun of me and calling me coward because of my cries.

There were no any proper painkillers to ease the pain, to make the mater worse the women ended up applying some traditional stuffs called myrrh and eggs, this according to them was to help with the pain and stop bleeding, but things took a different turn when those staffs did not only lead to severe pain but also caused serious bleeding and infections that lasted for a while. After all this we were all taken to the old woman’s home for the healing process. This tragic event not only left me psychologically and mentally distressed but also very heartbroken due to the loss of four of the girls due to over bleeding and infections. I was lucky to survive this horrific act. When the time to leave for home came, I left the village vowing to never come back to this murderous place again. I became a survivor of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice that is not only brutal but left me with immense pain and trauma. The physical psychological consequences were unbearable and at times I felt like I had failed my body for allowing it to go through such injustice.

In the midst of all this confusion, I still grew up and eventually years later I got married at the age of 16 years. Time went by and I eventually got pregnant with twins. Now came the most difficult time of my life. When the time for me to deliver came, I felt as though my life was coming to an end. From suffering from prolonged labour that lasted for five days to difficulty in delivering the babies due to the FGM act that was done on me. The cut I went through had severely caused me so much damage. I lay there full of pain as I watched the village traditional birth attendance run up and down trying to help me deliver. When all hope was lost, I was rushed to the Galkacyo District hospital. Upon arrival the doctors did a quick check up and I was immediately referred for C-section birth. My poor body was already tired from all the pain and as I was prepared for the delivery, my heart couldn’t stop pondering against my chest. The thought of going through another body cut was overwhelming. I couldn’t hold my tears as I laid in the theatre bed praying for God to save me. Hours later, the delivery was successful and I was admitted to the ward with my two beautiful girls.

The doctor during his ward run, questioned me on my situation. I told him all the trauma I had been through and my heart was relieved when he offered words of empathy and encouragement.
As years went by I always ponded on the all the events in my life frequently. Everytime I looked at my poor girls my heart broke because of the reality that was waiting for them. I deep down knew it in my heart that I didn’t want the same for them but living in the same environment I knew that nothing could be done and the act was still waiting for them. I found myself sinking into despair, feeling hopeless and alone. Just as I thought hope was lost, stumbled upon a team in my camp talking to women and raising awareness about FGM and its harmful effects. I was touched by their words and decided to seek more information about these team by approaching one of the members for a quick chat. It was then that found out that team were a group of community mobilizers and case workers from SWCCA. Days later I gathered courage and visited the GBV One-Stop Centre that is run by the SWCCA team which was funded by SHF {Somali Humanitarian Fund}. Upon arrival at the centre I found women of my age and girls receiving awareness on GBV, early marriage and FGM.

My heart raced as I recalled the incidents that happened to me. I realized how little girls and women back in my village still suffer in the hands of uneducated women who have zero information on the acts they practice and their harmful effects. I decided to visit the centre every day and become part of the women and girls group that received awareness. Eventually I found courage and shared my life story with fellow women and girls in order to encourage them and motivate them to fight against these harmful acts. It was then that I was selected as leader of these groups by SWCCA. After months of volunteering in the fight against these acts at the centre and in the camps, I was officially appointed as a member of the FGM community advocacy group{CAG}. Being a part of this initiative has been incredibly empowering for me. I have gone from being a survivor to becoming an advocate for change. Each time I speak to someone about FGM, I feel a sense of pride and purpose. I know that my pain was not in vain, and I am helping others to avoid the same suffering. With the help of SWCCA, my journey has taught me that even in the darkest of times, there is always a chance to find light and make a difference. I will continue to raise my voice, not only for myself but for all the women and girls who still face the horrors of FGM. Through our collective efforts, I believe we can end this harmful practice and give others the chance to live a life free from fear and pain.