COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP TO ERADICATE FGM IN RURAL SOMALIA CCIH PRESENTATION By Annastacia Olembo MA On 28 th May 2007.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP TO ERADICATE FGM IN RURAL SOMALIA

CCIH PRESENTATIONBy Annastacia Olembo MAOn 28th May 2007

INTRODUCTION…. Was a 3 year anti-FGM programme

in Somalia South / Central Somalia Assessment was done before

intervention Partnership assisted by networking

was mainstay of intervention Evaluation was done to measure

effects 3 years of intervention Much was achievement

ABOUT SOMALIA

Independence from British / Italian Somaliland Somaliland independent 1991 Puntland independent 1998 At war since 1991

BASIC FACTS ON SOMALIA

Size 638,000 sq kms

Population 6.8 million

Annual pop growth rate

2.9%

Coastline 3000 kms

< 15 years 45%

10 -24 years 32%

Nomadic 60 – 70%

Rain Scarce

BASIC FACTS ON SOMALIA…. Low literacy level Inadequate access to family planning Skilled birth attendants scarce Inadequate access to Essential /

Emergency Obstetric Care Quality of maternal health services

still poor Anaemia and vitamin A deficiency are

common in women

PROJECT LOCATION IN SOMALIA

North West

North East

Central South

Waajid and TiyeglowBakool Region

Bualle and Sakkow in Middle Juba

Region

SITUATION OF FGM AS SHOWN BY ASSESSEMENT IN 2004

Assessment 2004  

Respondents 277

Girls done FGM 76% out which 92% infibulations

FGM by TBA 61..9%

FGM by traditional practitioners

33.1%

Noreen Prendenville 1999Global Somalia

Women with FGM done 97%

WHAT IS FGM WHY SOMALIS ENGAGE IN IT

WHO definition” a surgical procedure which involves partial or total removal of female external reproductive organs for cultural or non therapeutic reasons.”

Religious; Culture; prevents promiscuity Controls libido & preserve virginity Promotes cleanliness Assures marriage Material gain for the circumciser

WHAT IS FGM AND WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF FGM

Type 1 – CLITORIDECTOMY (Sunna)- removal of all or part of the clitoris

Type II EXCISION - removal of the clitoris and part or all of the labia minora

Type III INFIBULATION (Pharaonic) -removal of all or part of the external genitalia and stitching of the vaginal orifice

Type IV UNCLASSIFIED - very invasive, includes piercing, cauterization and incision to the vaginal wall.

DOCUMENTED HARMFUL EFFECTS OF FGM

Haemorrhage, infections and Sepsis Scarring and obstruction affecting

menstrual outflow / coitus Difficult labour Vesico / Recto Vaginal Fistula Incontinence of urine / faeces Social rejection by spouses and

families

FISTULA PATIENT AND SURVIVOR …..

PROJECT GOALS, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

Goal - contribute towards elimination of FGM among the Somalis in Waajid, Tiyeglow and Bualle Districts.

Purpose - reduce the incidences of FGM by increasing awareness

Specific Objectives:- Disseminate information on harmful effects of

FGM Advocate for elimination of FGM including human

rights aspect, the rights of the girl child and women;

Training and capacity building for WVS staff, community leaders, women groups, youth groups, teachers, religious leaders, and other stake holders;

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES Integrate FGM activities Promotion of girl child education Providing support to the FGM

victims through counselling services within the health facilities

Referral for those with fistulae for further management to Ethiopia

HOW WAS PROGRAMME DESIGNED / METHODS Informed by prior Assessment 2004 and

previous knowledge Essentially based on Partnership Based on guidelines and partners trained on

them Designed within context of goal and

objectives Based on socio-economic context Based on ability to influence change Partnership Model: Public-private

partnership and Partnership with Donors

THE PARTNERSHIP DYNAMICS Partnership was with community

based organs to elicit bottom-up actions to improve awareness and stop FGM

Formed at local, district, regional and national levels

FGM practitioners were convinced to abandon circumcision and get alternative sources of income

Programme supported them through IGA

INTERNAL PARTNERS RECRUITED AND TRAINED

District Councils, Elders, Village Health Committees recruited / trained

Anti – FGM Committees formed advocacy, awareness, human and girl child rights, support to FGM sufferers

Traditional, religious leaders including Imams recruited and trained

Women group and the youth The traditional birth attendants Traditional FGM practitioners convinced and left

practice Other sectors: Health staff, Education : - teachers and

CECs, PTAs Cousellors Business sector

...EXTERNAL PARTNERS

World Vision Finland funded it WV Australia, WV Canada, and WV Ireland

also assisted SACB Somalia Aid Coordinating Body shared

infomation, advocacy and contacts United Nations Forums: UNICEF, UNIFEM,

UNFPA, UN Conventions on FGM, agitation for the rights of the child and girl child

Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital

RESULTS / OUTCOME% population preferring milder FGM 58%

% ready to abandon FGM 15%

% Practicing FGM 40.4% Sunna27.3% Pharoanic

Anti-FGM Committees 106

Practitioners abandoning FGM 32.5% 2.5% (2004)

Fistula patients facilitated 48 done

Loans disbursed $20,000 to 300 women

FGM messages integrated in other programmes in WV Somalia Health, Education, Relief and Food Security

On going

One sheik per mobilization group done

Resource centre Established and equipped

Positive Influence Influenced the development of child policy

WHAT MADE PARTNERSHIP WORK

Involving men and the youth in the project activities

House to House Mobilization Community mobilization and

awareness raising Fistula survivors became great

advocates Support for Girl child Education

YOUTH DURING TRAINING IN WAAJID

WHAT MADE PARTNERSHIP WORK….

Above are loan beneficiaries Anti-FGM committees formed in all the districts Formation of groups and training on Business

Management and marketing Provision of loans up to $2000 per 30 members

INVOLVING MEN AND YOUTH IN THE PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Economic Empowerment and alternative sources of livelihood

Advocacy and Networking Out of school boys and girls skills development