Wednesday July 21, 2021
Family members grieve after the death of Fartun Hassan Ahmed. Photograph: Global Media Campaign to End FGM
Galkayo (HOL) - A 13-year-old girl living in Jeerinle village in Galkayo has died from extensive bleeding as a result of female genital mutilation (FGM), according to activists and locals.
Fartun Hassan Ahmed, who hails from a nomadic family, died before reaching the local hospital.
The deceased girl's parents spoke to the Global Media Campaign to End FGM.
"We were looking for a car to take us to the hospital, but we were not able to get it on time. We didn't know what to do. We eventually found a car, but she died by the time it arrived, "said Nadifo, Fartun's mother."
Nadifo said she was with her daughter as she bled extensively from early in the morning until she died at about 4 p.m.
Her father, Hassan Ahmed, a visually impaired goat herder, said his daughter was a hard worker who helped with the family work.
"She did everything for me. She helped around the house, cooked food for me, and took care of the animals while I was resting," Ahmed said.
Fartun's parents said they deeply regretted the decision to have her cut. They especially feel guilty about having her undergo mutilation at an age older than what is culturally typical. In Somalia, about 98% of young girls undergo genital mutilation before they reach the age of 10 years.
FGM involves altering or removing female genitals, such as the clitoris or labia and can result in severe bleeding. It can also lead to serious health issues such as infertility, infection and complications during childbirth.
Although statistics are not well-kept, activists say tat it is the first official death from FGM since 10-year-old Deeqa Dahir Nur passed away in 2018.