‘The new generation is different’: In Djibouti, activists lobby to end female genital mutilation
By: [Author’s Name] February 5, 2025
Djibouti City, Djibouti – In a small community center in the heart of Djibouti City, a group of women gather to discuss a deeply personal and taboo subject: female genital mutilation (FGM).
FGM is a harmful practice that involves the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia. It is estimated that 98% of women and girls in Djibouti have undergone some form of FGM, making it one of the highest rates in the world.
But a new generation of activists is emerging in Djibouti, determined to end this practice. They are working to raise awareness about the harmful effects of FGM, lobby for legal reform, and provide support to survivors.
One of these activists is Amina Abdi, a 25-year-old lawyer. Amina herself underwent FGM as a child, and she knows firsthand the physical and emotional pain it can cause.
“I was only 5 years old when I was cut,” Amina says. “I remember the pain and the fear. I was so scared that I would die.”
Amina’s experience motivated her to become a lawyer and advocate for the rights of women and girls. She is now a member of the Djibouti Women’s Network, a coalition of organizations working to end FGM.
“The new generation is different,” Amina says. “We are more educated and we have more access to information. We know that FGM is a harmful practice that has no place in our society.”
The Djibouti Women’s Network has been working closely with the government to develop legislation that would ban FGM. In 2023, the government passed a law that criminalizes FGM, but it has yet to be fully implemented.
The activists are now working to ensure that the law is enforced and that survivors of FGM have access to the support they need.
“We are not going to stop until FGM is eradicated from Djibouti,” Amina says. “This is a fight for the future of our daughters and our granddaughters.”
Progress and challenges
In recent years, there has been some progress in reducing the prevalence of FGM in Djibouti. According to a 2020 study by the United Nations Population Fund, the percentage of girls who underwent FGM before the age of 15 dropped from 56% in 2012 to 43% in 2020.
However, there are still significant challenges to overcome. Many communities in Djibouti continue to believe that FGM is a necessary part of tradition and culture. There is also a lack of awareness about the harmful effects of FGM, and many survivors are reluctant to come forward and seek help.
The activists know that they have a long way to go, but they are determined to make a difference. They are working to build a coalition of supporters, both within Djibouti and internationally, and they are developing new strategies to raise awareness and change attitudes.
“We believe that change is possible,” Amina says. “We are not going to give up until FGM is a thing of the past.”
‘The new generation is different’: In Djibouti, activists lobby to end female genital mutilation
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Women a new article on 2025-02-05 12:00 titled “‘The new generation is different’: In Djibouti, activists lobby to end female genital mutilation”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
18