The nationwide campaign to eliminate FGM by the National Coalition for Women against HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia has shown success.

In particular, the experience in Afar, one of the regional states where Female genital Mutilation of the most severe type is practiced, almost universally provides valuable lessons to those who are working in communities where religion and culture form the foundation for all values, norms and behaviors.  The people of afar Organizes their daily life and their relationships with others in the community to ensure their survival and well-being. The people of the region are predominantly Muslim and seek guidance from the Kuran as interpreted by their Imams to guide their spiritual life. The level of literacy among this pastoralists is one if in Ethiopia but the rich traditions and cultures of the Afar are codified in the language, dance, music, oral history and handed down for generation to generation.

The successes that the Coalition achieved will provide lessons learnt in other communities who live within the fabric of cultural and regions frameworks that are not conducive to individual behavior change. In seeking to utilize culture as mechanisms for change, creating allies rather than adversaries among the religious and community leaders was the first step. The changes that have been brought about did not occur overnight but through initial discussions with major stakeholders as well as successive social mobilization forums which were held in different zones of the region.

It is with this challenging environment that the National Coalition for Women against HIV/AIDs decided to focus in eliminating FGC from Afar. The Community and religious leaders and women themselves received the first discussion with reservation and apprehension. Because the Coalition approached the subject with community and religious leaders without condemnation and mutual respect, the idea was not rejected outright. Women in Afar are the ones who perform this and hence it was no surprise that they would be potential of detractors or supporters of the effort. 

After initial discussions with religious and community leaders, the National Coalition for Women conducted its first social mobilization campaign. The objective was to increase the awareness of the community about the harmful effects of FGM. During these forums, an open dialogue was conducted with testimonies from men and women about their experiences. Fathers who had lost their daughters during birth, women who suffered during menstruation and childbirth all provided graphic testimonies of their ordeal. Health care providers were on hand to explain the negative health effects and the consequences of the practice.

The major discussion of the forum was whether FGM was a practice, which is sanctioned by Islam. Successive social mobilization forums were to allow the Imams who interpret the Koran as it relates to condoning this practice. The Imams after extensive discussions gave their unanimous agreement that female genital mutilation as is practiced among the Afar was not a requirement of their religion. Because people had long believed that it was a religious obligation, a compromise was reached that Suna type, which is not of the severe form, should be practiced.

In conjunction with the social mobilization forums, traditional birth attendants in Afar were identified and selected for training. These women are the most trusted women in the community during their reproductive years and perform female genital mutilation. The very fact that the community allowed these women to leave their relocate for two weeks to attend the training was a great victory. In addition to safe delivery and provision of RH/prevention of HIV/AIDs the TBAs were taught about FGM and its harmful effects. Cash incentive was provided for them to do their work appropriately to save lives and stop performing FGM. At the end of the training they all agreed not only they would stop performing the practice but would be advocates against the practice.

As part of this campaign, a social mobilization forum for youth again in Afar with young girls and boys to increase their awareness about FGM was conducted. This was followed by another social mobilization forum with clan leaders, religious leaders, women, community leaders. Because of the background preparation, the forum was more open and more constructive. Women gave testimonials about their own experiences particularly during childbirth and menstruation. Health bureau representatives provided information about the short and long term effects of the practice. The Afar regional government participated fully in this forum, bringing into discussion the legality of the practice and its commitment to enforcing the law.

Again, the discussion focused on the legitimacy of the practice as part of the religion of Islam. This was clearly an important aspect of the discussion because for those who believed this was part of their religious duties, there was need to provide a correct interpretation from the Koran. The religious leaders and the Imams who read and interpret the Koran showed that this was not required in Islam.

In between these campaigns, the Coalition through its network of volunteers worked with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the momentum was not stopped. Afar is an oral society where messages and information is communicated among the community. Radio messages are particularly important and this was used to help people understand the harmful effects of this practice. Radio messages are particularly important and this was used to help people understand the harmful effects of this practice. The regional government of Afar stood alongside the coalition and the president of and representative were determined to join hands and support this effort.

The major success of this struggle was achieved this year when a social mobilization campaign was launched with all stakeholders. The following attended the form.

• Representatives of the Afar regional State Administration;
• Zonal,Wereda and Kebele level Leaders of the region;
• Leaders from various governmental and Executive Bureaus;
• Representatives of Youth and Women associations;
• Religious, clan and community leaders;
• Leader and members of the sharia Courts of the region;
• Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs)

After years of struggle an important historical juncture was reached. Will the people of Afar continue to practice FGM or will they abandon it? If they abandon what guidance do they need? If people decide to keep the practice alive, how does the government protect women? All these questions posed a challenge, which only the people of Afar and its regional representative could answer.

The outcome was not only important but showed the power of people to change centuries of behavior based on the knowledge, awareness and commitment. The equal participation of all members of the Afar society was both democratic and transparent. Hence, the actions they took should be taken as an example to other countries and communities who are working in similar contexts.

At the forum, Female Genital Mutilation was declared a practice, which is not endorsed by Islam. They went further by saying that in fact this practice is “Haram” or is forbidden by Islam. The fact that the statement was decisive left no room for interpretation. On the other side, the regional government of Afar also said that since there is no basis for this practice and since the constitution protects the rights of women not to be harmed, they would enforce the law and punish anyone who continues to do it. This is the story of how Afar girls of the next generation will tell to their children when asked about the practice, that it is Haram.