About
Network against Female Genital Mutilation in Somaliland (NAFIS) is a network of civil society organizations that was established in November, 2006 and based in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Our Background
Currently, NAFIS has a membership of 20 organizations operating in all the regions of Somaliland. NAFIS is the leading umbrella organization advocating on behalf of towards the eradication of FGM in Somaliland through coordination and networking, policy framework, research and documentation.
NAFIS aims to provide a strategic framework, where knowledge and tools enable in-country anti-FGM campaigners and organizations to be successful and make a sustainable change to end FGM.
Since 2006, NAFIS has organized conferences, seminars, and workshops, promoted public mobilization actions and conducted lobbying and advocacy actions in order to stimulate the political commitment of institutions, authorities, women’s rights activists and communities throughout the six regions of Somaliland to promote the adoption of legal measures as positive and long-lasting tool of social progress.
Our Goal
The main objective of NAFIS is to contribute to the abandonment of female genital mutilation in Somaliland.
Specific Objectives
- Prevent FGM among girls and women at risk living in six regions of Somaliland
- Reduce the impact on health, both psychological and social, of FGM by giving comprehensive support to girls and women living with FGM
- Aims at raising awareness, changing attitudes and promoting behavior change towards the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation
Our vision is a Somaliland where every girl and woman is safe, healthy and lives free from Female Genital Mutilation.
Our work focuses on responding to female genital mutilation (FGM), other forms of violence against women and girls and to uphold the dignity and empowerment of girls and women in Somaliland through the coordination of initiatives, awareness creation, and advocacy against FGM.
NAFIS engage with key stakeholders including; parents, religious leaders, community leaders, government authorities and young people to raise awareness, transform behavior and put an end to harmful traditional practices such as FGM.
We are striving to end excision so girls can make decisions about their own sexual and reproductive health and well-being. A key element to our approach is to give young people a voice in this process, to involve them – particularly girls – and to empower them to claim their rights to a safer, more fulfilling life.
Vulnerable and marginalized people, especially women and girls, will have greater influence on decisions and policies which affect their lives in order to reduce their vulnerability and risks to FGM.
NAFIS aims to be the driving force of the Somaliland movement to end all forms of female genital mutilation ,joining the forces of communities and civil society organizations, and building synergies and cooperation with all relevant actors in all levels of the country and globally.
NAFIS aim is to support, advise, advocate and empower young people against FGM practicing and be their unedited voice.
While working to end all gender-based violence practically FGM in Somaliland and gain equality for Young people by:
* Protection – by influencing policy change and key decision makers to take a clear stand against the practice of genital mutilation.
* Prevention – through raising awareness and education.
* Provision – of the services and support needed to help survivors of FGM.
* Knowledge Sharing – By sharing good practice and knowledge within the local and International NGOs on how we protect our girls from FGM.
In working towards our vision and aims, we will demonstrate the following values:
* Tolerance – NAFIS is dealing with complicated and controversial issue which presents a lot of resistance based on misconceptions and differing interpretation of Islamic religion teachings, hence there is need to be patient and tolerant in the long struggle against the violation of human rights.
* Solidarity and Compassion – NAFIS speaks for the poor and marginalized to support them in achieving their rights and challenging unfair systems. We are driven by our desire to protect vulnerable women and girls from FGM and to support those living with its impact (FGM).
* Accountability and transparency – NAFIS emphasizes on use of effective operational systems and policies to ensure effective and efficient utilization of resources to achieve desired outcomes through monitoring and evaluation of its programs.
* Respect – NAFIS respects everybody’s dignity and right to justice. This requires us to ensure, fairness and equity in everything we do. At the heart of our work is fair and justice for marginalized groups like women and girls.
* Equality – The approach of NAFIS to gender is protection of the rights of the marginalized groups especially girls and women. And advocates for where a women and girls have control over their bodies and choices by Empowering women and girls to lead the change.
* Confidence and bold – NAFIS is bold and confident in bringing Islamic values of dignity together with social justice with a strong practical understanding of development. We have a strong sense of purpose and always do our best to deliver professional, high quality results.
* Collaboration and Partnership – NAFIS affirms to partnership and healthy relationship with government agencies and other institutions. We believe in enabling and facilitating local organizations to deliver better at the local level. We focus our efforts on enabling partners to build their organizational capacity to develop and build bridges and collaborative working among the partners we work with.
* Pioneering – We are forward thinking and creative to find solutions to make a lasting change to end FGM.