Post on 31-Dec-2015
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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