A 10-year-old girl is fighting for her life in a hospital in Hiran region after undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM) procedure, according to Maryam Abdulle, an anti-FGM activist based in Beletweyne District. This becomes the latest victim suffering due to FGM complications after three girls succumbed to injuries and bleeding with in September 2018.
Salaado Abdi Odowaay, from the Afar-Irdood village of Beletweyne in Hirshabelle state, is fighting for her life in a hospital in Beletweyne district of Hiran region.
Ahmed Mohamed Khalif, Director general of Beletweyne Hospital confirms that Salaado was brought to the hospital unconscious due severe bleeding after undergoing the FGM procedure on Monday 17th September 2018.
“Two of her veins have been cut resulting the excessive bleeding making the young girl unconscious, doctors made blood transfusion for her to recover the lost blood and stabilize her condition” Khalif says.
“The procedure was conducted the girl yesterday at 7 o’clock. We noticed that Salado became unconscious at 11 o’clock of the same day and we rushed her to hospital leaving the village at 4 PM in the evening arriving the hospital at half past six in the morning today”. Dhuho Mohamud Abdullule, mother of Salaado narrates.
Female genital mutilation is the collective term given to several different practices that involve the cutting of female genitals. While complications are common, deaths from FGM often go unreported or are registered under a different description.
FGM in Somalia is constitutionally illegal, but pressure from conservative and religious groups prevents lawmakers from passing legislation to punish offenders.
