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Mogadishu, (insidesomalia.org) Farihyio Farah Ibrahim, a Somali refugee living in northeast Kenya, was awarded the 2008 Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage on March 10, 2008 in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Ibrahim is one of eight winners of this prestigious award. In addition to an award ceremony hosted by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Ms. Ibrahim attended a ceremony at the White House hosted by President and Mrs. George W. Bush.Ms. Ibrahim is a 25 year-old Somali refugee who has dedicated her life to fighting for women's rights and against female genital mutilation (FMG) and forced marriage in the Dadaab refugee camp in north-east Kenya.The isolation of this camp means exposure to the outside world is extremely limited.
Life in the camps is especially harsh for women, who have traditionally played a subordinate role to men in conservative Somali society. Her most dangerous role has been as a campaigner for the elimination of female genital mutilation.
At great personal risk and ostracized by her family and clan, she has resolutely advocated for women's reproductive rights and safe practices. She is also a strong champion for secondary education for Somali youth.
The most common form of female genital mutilation (FGM) or female genital cutting (FGC) practiced in Somalia is Type III (commonly referred to as infibulation and in Somalia, the "Pharaonic circumcision"). Eighty percent of all genital procedures for women and girls consist of this form which is the most harmful form.
The less radical or Type I (commonly referred to as clitoridectomy and in Somalia sometimes called "sunna") is practiced mainly in the coastal towns of Mogadishu, Brava, Merca and Kismayu. The procedures leave a lifetime of physical suffering for the women.
Some international agencies have recently begun anti-FGM/FGC educational campaigns. These campaigns have attempted to enlist women and religious leaders in the fight against the practice.
Religious leaders have, in some instances, been persuaded to tell their adherents this practice is a cultural, not a religious practice.
In 2000, the U.S. Embassy provided funds through its Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) to the Voice of Midwives Association for a campaign to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of this practice.
A grant of US$10,173 was provided for meetings and discussions throughout Somaliland, incorporating the use of drama and other traditional techniques.
In 1998, the Embassy provided US$20,000 from DHRF to UNICEF to assist its project of building consensus against FGM/FGC in four communities in Somaliland.
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