Burtinle, Puntland | 29 June 2026
Manaal Relief Foundation MRF, with support from GIZ,German International Cooperation facilitated and monitored the first community-led awareness and dialogue session on the prevention of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) at Kalkaal One IDP Settlement in Burtinle District.
The awareness session marked the official launch of first community outreach activities by the newly established Community Advocacy Groups, transforming the knowledge, skills and action plans developed during the previous day’s workshop into practical community action.
The event was attended by the Executive Director of Manaal Relief Foundation MRF, FGM Coin Project Team members ,Community Advocacy Groups, community leaders and gatekeepers from Kalkaal One and Kalkaal Two IDP Settlements (formerly Tawakal IDP Camp), and Mr. Yahye, GIZ FGM Coin- Project, Manager Puntland who witnessed the successful activation of this community-led initiative.
More than 100 community members, including women, men, youth, elders and internally displaced persons (IDPs), participated in the awareness session, demonstrating strong community ownership and commitment to protecting women and girls from harmful practices.
Remarks from Partners.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Yahye, GIZ FGM Coin- Project, Manager,Puntland commended the strong partnership between Manaal Relief Foundation MRF , local authorities and the community. He emphasized that sustainable change is achieved when communities themselves take ownership of preventing FGM/C and GBV, and encouraged the Advocacy Groups to continue leading awareness efforts, promoting positive social norms and strengthening community protection mechanisms.
The Executive Director of Manaal Relief Foundation MRF congratulated the newly established Community Advocacy Groups for successfully launching their first community awareness campaign. He urged members to remain committed to serving their communities with integrity, dedication and volunteerism, emphasizing that they have a critical responsibility to educate families, mobilize community leaders and support efforts to eliminate FGM/C and Gender-Based Violence. He reaffirmed MRF’s commitment to providing continuous technical guidance, mentoring and the necessary awareness materials to strengthen the work of the Advocacy Groups.
During the awareness session, the Advocacy Groups facilitated interactive discussions on the harmful consequences of FGM/C and GBV, the rights and dignity of women and girls, the importance of prevention, reporting and referral, and the shared responsibility of families, religious leaders, women, youth and community elders in protecting vulnerable members of society.
Using project-approved Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, the groups delivered clear, culturally sensitive and rights-based messages that encouraged open dialogue and promoted positive social norms.
Key Results Achieved
The first community awareness and dialogue session were successfully conducted at Kalkaal One IDP Settlement.
More than 100 community members actively participated in the awareness session and community dialogue.
The two Community Advocacy Groups were publicly introduced and officially commenced implementation of their community action plans.
Advocacy Group members successfully applied the knowledge and skills acquired during their orientation by leading participatory awareness discussions.
IEC awareness materials were effectively used to reinforce key messages on preventing FGM/C and Gender-Based Violence.
Community members openly discussed the harmful impacts of FGM/C and GBV and reaffirmed their collective responsibility to protect women and girls.
Community participants made a public commitment to support the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and to work together in preventing Gender-Based Violence within their communities.
The Advocacy Groups confirmed that this awareness session marks the beginning of implementing their three-month Community Action Plans, with additional awareness campaigns, household outreach activities and community dialogues to be conducted across Burtinle District in the coming months.
The successful launch of the Community Advocacy Groups demonstrates the importance of investing in community leadership and local ownership as sustainable approaches to preventing FGM/C and Gender-Based Violence. The strong participation and public commitment made by community members during this first awareness session reflect growing community willingness to challenge harmful practices and promote the rights, dignity and protection of women and girls.
Manaal Relief Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to GIZ,German International Cooperation, the Ministry of Women Development & Family Affair the #Burtinle District Local Government, community leaders, gatekeepers and all participants for their continued partnership and commitment to creating safer and more inclusive communities.
Together, we are empowering communities to lead lasting change, eliminate Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and Gender-Based Violence, and build a safer future for women and girls.
#ManaalReliefFoundation#EndFGM#EndGBV#CommunityLedChange#WomenAndGirls#Burtinle#Puntland#GIZ#MoWDFA#LeaveNoOneBehind
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