On 17th September 2025, MRF SOM, in partnership with the Ministry of Women Development & Family Affairs (MoWDAFA) and with support from GIZ, held the third community conversation session in Burtinle District, Puntland. The session was organized in close collaboration with the local authority and the local community, ensuring broad ownership and participation. Around 40 participants attended, including religious leaders, parents (especially mothers), and youth. The discussion focused on: • Raising awareness of the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). • Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and its impact on families and communities. • Encouraging dialogue on prevention and protection strategies at the community level. 👉 Project Activity Objective: This activity aimed to increase awareness, shift attitudes, and strengthen community commitment to ending FGM and GBV through inclusive dialogue with religious leaders, parents (especially mothers), and youth. Participants actively shared experiences and perspectives, strengthening the commitment of both community members and local authorities to ending FGM and GBV. This activity is part of MRF’s ongoing project to end FGM and strengthen community protection mechanisms, implemented in collaboration with MoWDAFA, the local authority, and with the support of GIZ. #EndFGM #StopGBV Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH #CommunityEmpowerment #WomensRights #ChildProtection #Puntland #Somalia #MRF #GIZ #MoWDAFA #TogetherForChange