I’m an FGM survivor – barbaric abuse on a family holiday aged 7 nearly killed me, I’ve had death threats for speaking up
“THAT’S just what happens to little girls like you”, was what Nimco Ali was told by her teacher after she was subjected to the horror of female genital mutilation (FGM).
Just seven years old at the time, Nimco was desperately trying to make sense of what had happened to her but was told what so many survivors hear about FGM - it’s part of being a woman.
The barbaric procedure involves partial or total removal of the external female anatomy for non-medical reasons.
It has been illegal in the UK since 1985, and is classified as child abuse.
According to data from 2013, there are 230million women globally living with FGM - with 137,00 of those living right here in the UK, including Nimco.
Born in Somaliland, her childhood was split between Africa and the UK, living in both Manchester and Cardiff.
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The eldest of six siblings, Nimco was the last generation of a long line of women to undergo FGM, and for the past decade she has campaigned to make sure the generational abuse stops for thousands of women globally.
It’s been 34 years since Nimco was subjected to the horror of FGM at the age of seven, but she still remembers the sense of "evil" she felt that day.
On a family holiday to Dijbouti to visit relatives, Nimco had no idea what was planned for her.
She reminded me of a dementor from Harry Potter - I could just sense this evil coming from her
Nimco Ali
Speaking to Fabulous as part of Life Stories - our where ordinary people share their extraordinary experiences - Nimco recalls: “It was just before we came back to the UK.
“We were at the house we were staying in and I just had a feeling that something was planned for me but I didn’t understand what that was.
“I wasn’t afraid until I physically saw my cutter.
“She reminded me of a dementor from Harry Potter - I could just sense this evil coming from her.
“I didn’t understand what the dire consequences would be, but I knew nothing good was coming my way.”
We have raised new funds for this abuse of children.
In 2020 we re-granted funding and provided support in other ways to around 20 women’s rights activists working on the front lines in the UK, Somaliland, The Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Tanzania.
For some reason, large donors have steered clear of funding work to end FGM. It is sometimes seen as too complicated to solve, even though we know that when funding goes to the right place it can be reduced significantly.
We need to start to ramp up funding to the brave women on the frontlines who are doing all of the heavy lifting.
I hope you can join this effort too and donate through
While Nimco admits that she is strong and resilient, she says that doesn’t need to be the case for every survivor.
“There's an incredible strength in vulnerability,” she says.
“Sometimes when you let things fall apart is when you really find your true self.
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“There are people out there to help you so I would say to every survivor, be kind to yourself and give yourself grace and time.
“Your story is your own and it’s up to you when you tell it.”