Source of Funds: Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) / Ministry of Women & Human Rights – South West State
Target Population: Girls and women at risk of FGM
Duration: March – August 2024
Sub-sector: Gender-Based Violence Prevention – FGM Awareness
Location: Baidoa and Afgoye IDP Camps
In 2024, SOMCOV launched an awareness and capacity-building campaign across Baidoa and Afgoye to combat Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—a deeply rooted harmful practice that continues to endanger the health and dignity of Somali girls and women.
With support from NCA and MoWHR-SWS, the six-month initiative engaged over 1,000 community members, including religious leaders, midwives, parents, and youth. Through targeted dialogues, workshops, and community forums, the program challenged long-standing cultural narratives around FGM and empowered community members to advocate for change.
The campaign trained 30 local champions to continue the fight against FGM beyond the project’s lifespan. Survivor voices were amplified, safe spaces were established, and frontline workers were equipped with tools to recognize and respond to cases of gender-based violence more effectively.
This project marked a shift from silence to action—where communities began acknowledging the harm of FGM and embraced their role in protecting future generations.
