Mercy is choosing a different future - Amref Health Africa in Canada

Mercy is choosing a different future - Amref Health Africa in Canada

She once wanted to undergo FGM. Her mother fought to keepher safe — even against what Mercy thought she wanted.This is the story of how she came to understand why. Mercy saw FGM as a tradition central to her culture and to her future. Her own grandmother was an elder who practised it — she was a ‘cutter’. But Mercy’s mother fought to keep her safe. “Not many women dare to stand up to their own community. And not many men then dare to support their wives,” says Mercy. She was lucky: she had both, fighting for what was right for her. At school, Mercy was often teased for not having undergone FGM. But when she reached high school, “everything got better”. There were many more girls there who were uncircumcised — and there she learned more about what the procedure really entails, how much it hurts, and the risks it carries. Slowly, her understanding changed. “Little by little, I learned to realise how incredibly good what my mother does is. And now I am so grateful to her. I am now going to school, I can probably go to college, I [am] a role model and talk to girls about this issue.” Pictured: Mercy Soila at home in Kajiado County, Kenya © Amref Health Africa / Sarah Waiswa “My future is ahead of me.” — Mercy Soila About this work Amref Health Africa works alongside communities across Africa to help end female genital mutilation / cutting (FGM/C) — supporting girls like Mercy to stay in school, understand their rights, and become advocates for change. Help protect the next generation With support from donors in Canada, Amref can reach more girls like Mercy with the knowledge, protection and opportunity to choose their own future. Stand with girls like MercyThe post Mercy is choosing a different future first appeared on Amref Health Africa in Canada.