Burtinle, Puntland | 28 June 2026 Manaal Relief Foundation MRF in partnership with GIZ,German International CooperationGIZ – and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Women Development & Family Affairs (MoWDFA) and the Burtinle District Local Government, successfully conducted a one-day Community Engagement and Awareness Workshop in Burtinle District.
The workshop marked an important milestone in strengthening community-led efforts to prevent Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through the establishment and initial activation of two Community Advocacy Groups that will serve as local champions for awareness, prevention, and community mobilization.
The event was officially opened by #Mr. Awil Mohamed, Executive Secretary of the Burtinle Local Government, together with representatives of Manaal Relief Foundation. In his opening remarks, Mr. Awil reaffirmed the Local Government’s commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of women and girls. He emphasized that eliminating FGM/C and GBV requires strong collaboration between government institutions, community leaders, civil society organizations, and local volunteers.
Mr. Awil further encouraged members of the newly established Community Advocacy Groups to serve their communities with dedication and volunteerism by leading awareness campaigns and promoting positive social change.He also called upon Manaal Relief Foundation MRF to continue supporting the groups through capacity building, technical guidance, and the provision of essential awareness materials to enable them to effectively carry out their responsibilities
The workshop brought together 32 participants (18 women and 14 men) representing community leaders, women, youth, religious leaders, and other key local stakeholders.
Key Achievements
Two Community Advocacy Groups were successfully established and officially activated to lead community-based advocacy and awareness initiatives on the prevention of FGM/C and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Committee membership was finalized, with leadership structures, roles, and responsibilities clearly defined to support effective coordination and accountability.
Committee members received an introductory capacity-building session on their roles and responsibilities, community advocacy approaches, referral pathways, and effective strategies for raising awareness and promoting behavioural change within their communities.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) awareness materials containing key messages on the prevention of FGM/C and GBV were distributed to all committee members to support community outreach, awareness campaigns, and public education activities.
A stakeholder mapping exercise was completed to strengthen coordination and collaboration among government institutions, community leaders, civil society organizations, and service providers.
A three-month Community Action Plan was jointly developed, outlining priority awareness activities, community engagement initiatives, and advocacy actions for implementation.
A referral contact directory for FGM/C and GBV response services was initiated to improve access to protection, health, legal, and psychosocial support services for survivors.
The newly established Community Advocacy Groups agreed to organize their first public awareness session targeting internally displaced persons (IDP) communities in Burtinle as part of their initial outreach activities.
The establishment of these Community Advocacy Groups represents a significant step towards building sustainable, community-owned mechanisms to prevent FGM/C and GBV while promoting the protection of women and girls across Burtinle District.
Manaal Relief Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to GIZ,German International Cooperation for its continued partnership and financial support, as well as to the Ministry of Women Development & Family Affairs, the Burtinle District Local Government, community leaders, and all participants whose commitment made this initiative a success.
Together, we are empowering communities, protecting women and girls, and creating safer, more inclusive communities for future generations.
#ManaalReliefFoundation#MRF#EndFGM#EndGBV#CommunityLedChange#WomenProtection#Burtinle#Puntland#GIZ#MoWDFA#LeaveNoOneBehind
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