As the world commemorates International Day of Zero tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on February 6, 2022, Somali girl champions have been at the forefront within their communities in calling for its abolishment.
According to the latest Somali Health and Demographic Survey, 99 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 have been subjected to FGM.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation worse with reports of door-to-door FGM while school were closed.
CARE has been working within the community to stop the spread of this harmful practice. One of the ways we have been doing this is through a Girl Empowerment Project in Somaliland, Puntland, and Galmudug. Through this program, girls undergo leadership training skills that enable them to become advocates against FGM. They learn, Peer to peer support, decision making, and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights. They then spread this information to not only their friends and family but also community members.