Diálogo sin estigma para ayudar a las mujeres a superar la mutilación genital: la historia de Edna

(Adnkronos): Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a complex issue. It goes beyond just a cut. Deep-rooted cultural factors come into play, belonging to the community, to share the pain among women. Some individuals who have been immersed and raised in this culture may say, «I have always done it, what’s the problem, why shouldn’t I?» Edna Moallin Abdirahman, nearly 60 years old, is a community trainer as part of the «Join our chain» program, aimed at raising awareness of the risks of FGM. She collaborates with the International Organization of Actoryid since 2016 and was one of the first activists in Italy against FGM. «I try to stand in the middle between my culture and this community that welcomed us,» a «bridge,» she says. With International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation scheduled for February 6, she tries to explain how important language is to create this bridge between cultures, to establish connection.

Living life on the frontlines in various fields, she works in a senior day center and in international cooperation. «I attended the first pediatric heart surgery in Mogadishu,» Somalia, she says in an interview for Adnkronos Saluding, and founded an association called Ameb Mother & Child, which organizes health trips for the ailing heart, so they can come to Italy for healing. She has two children, a 23-year-old daughter and a 20-year-old son. On February 6, she will also be in Milan for the traveling summit on female genital mutilation, promoted by the Italian Society of Regenerative and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (SICRE) with ActiveID. What is your powerful point when approaching women on the topic of FGM? She understands what we are talking about and strives to fight against the social stigma often associated with this issue.

She tries to make these women reflect and think. «I try to understand how to communicate with them.» «You don’t have to say, as it was said: ‘You are those bad mothers who do this to your daughters.’ No mother is bad. My mother isn’t, she didn’t undergo it, she just tried to integrate me into my community, as they have always done from memory.» «The world moves on, mistakes are understood, methods of behavior change.» «It’s not easy,» she says, «but it’s always a small satisfaction for me when I can help another woman understand.» A mother once told me, «I am happy because I say out loud what I said in a Bassa voice.» Those who have left their country «do not do this, because they live in a different context. While the girls who come «already grown» from countries like Somalia tell you «still» that they had FGM. «When I live in their country of origin,» the expert continues, «you can find a woman asking: ‘Why, if I did it, does my daughter not have to do it?’ I live my life quietly in the end. Yes, I have pain, I had problems during the first relationships, pain during childbirth, but it is part of a woman’s journey. But, of course, «we need more generations to pass for it to be just a memory,» she admits.

Edna also meets with «representatives from other countries» dealing with the issue of FGM «to share strategies and address this problem together. She also deals with training those working in the health sector,» another important piece is guaranteed. «I went to consultants and hospitals because a professional who sees a woman for the first time needs to know how to relate with the right words,» without stigma. For example, «I come from a matriarchal society and it is the women who do this.» Knowing that it is important, she explains, to establish dialogue with patients in the most correct way and «accompany them in» medical choices aimed at improving quality of life. «There are those who are ashamed,» Edna says, «those who hide, those who feel inferior. We tell them not to feel that way. They don’t have to justify themselves,» she concludes. -[email protected] (Web Information) Edna Moallin Abdirahman, una activista y entrenadora comunitaria, se encuentra en una posición única para abordar el tema de la mutilación genital femenina (MGF) con sensibilidad y comprensión. Su enfoque se centra en fomentar la reflexión y la comunicación con las mujeres afectadas por esta práctica, sin recurrir a la culpabilización o estigmatización.

Edna reconoce la complejidad cultural de la MGF y la importancia de abordarla con un enfoque empático y respetuoso. Como puente entre su cultura de origen y la comunidad que la ha acogido, Edna trabaja incansablemente para crear conciencia sobre los riesgos de la MGF y promover un diálogo abierto y constructivo sobre el tema.

En su trabajo como entrenadora comunitaria, Edna se esfuerza por ayudar a las mujeres a superar el dolor y el trauma asociados con la MGF, al tiempo que les brinda apoyo emocional y orientación. Su objetivo es empoderar a las mujeres para que se sientan seguras al compartir sus experiencias y buscar ayuda cuando sea necesario.

A través de su participación en diversas iniciativas y programas, incluida la organización de viajes de salud para mujeres afectadas por la MGF, Edna demuestra su compromiso con la promoción de la salud y el bienestar de las mujeres en todo el mundo. Su labor en la lucha contra la MGF es un testimonio de su dedicación y pasión por ayudar a las mujeres a vivir vidas libres de violencia y discriminación.

En un mundo donde las tradiciones y prácticas culturales a menudo chocan con los valores de igualdad y respeto, personas como Edna son un faro de esperanza y cambio. Su enfoque compasivo y comprensivo hacia las mujeres afectadas por la MGF es un ejemplo inspirador de cómo la empatía y la solidaridad pueden marcar la diferencia en la vida de las personas. Visitamos consultorios y hospitales para encontrar profesionales que sepan comunicarse de manera efectiva con las pacientes. Es fundamental establecer un diálogo correcto y acompañar a las pacientes en las decisiones médicas que mejoren su calidad de vida. Edna enfatiza que nadie debe sentir vergüenza, esconderse o sentirse inferior. Todos merecen respeto y apoyo en su proceso de atención médica.

FUENTE