SE5/EP 50: Surviving FGM & Breaking Silence | Alimatu Dimonekene MBE Fight to Protect Girls Worldwide

Madam Alimatu Dimonekene MBE is an award-winning British-Sierra Leonean human rights activist, child protection and safeguarding expert, philanthropist, and one of the world's leading advocates for ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). In 2023, she was honored by King Charles III with the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her outstanding contribution to preventing violence against women and girls and her tireless campaign to eradicate FGM globally.Alimatu is the founder of A Girl At A Time (SL), an organization dedicated to educating, empowering, and protecting girls and young people from gender-based violence, child marriage, and harmful traditional practices. She is also a member of Equality Now, an Op-Ed Public Voices Fellow on Advancing the Rights of Women and Girls, and a recipient of numerous awards, including the African Achievers Award and the Rosie McGrath Activist Award.I first met Alimatu by coincidence when she attended Pansa Pansa's conversation with Lola Aforo as a supporter. During that event, she briefly shared her own experience as an FGM survivor and spoke passionately about her global advocacy work. It was immediately clear that her story deserved a wider audience, and I was honored when she accepted my invitation to join the Pansa Pansa Podcast.In this deeply moving and educational conversation, Alimatu reflects on her childhood in Sierra Leone, her loving relationship with her parents, and the painful reality that despite their opposition to FGM, cultural pressures and the authority of her grandmother ultimately led to her being subjected to the practice against their wishes. She explains how deeply rooted traditions and societal expectations often silence families and prevent them from challenging harmful practices.Throughout the conversation, she provides valuable historical and global context, discussing the origins of FGM, the various forms practiced around the world, and the reasons communities continue to uphold the practice. She also explains the significance of February 6th, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, and how international awareness and advocacy have contributed to progress in protecting girls.Alimatu further discusses the devastating physical, emotional, psychological, and reproductive health consequences of FGM, while emphasizing the importance of education, community engagement, and empowering survivors to speak out. She offers hope and practical insights into how families, communities, policymakers, religious leaders, and advocates can work together to end violence against women and girls.Chapters02:56 Madame Ali Matsu's Background and Journey06:08 Cultural Identity and Diaspora Experiences09:01 Advocacy and Activism Against FGM11:47 Challenges Faced by African Immigrants15:07 Personal Experience with FGM17:55 Impact of FGM on Personal Life21:07 Navigating Cultural Expectations and Identity23:52 The Role of Family in Cultural Practices27:08 Reflections on Trauma and Healing29:57 The Importance of Advocacy and Awareness39:54 The Journey of Healing and Advocacy45:13 Empowerment Through Community Engagement52:47 Historical Context of FGM and Women's Health60:27 Cultural Identity and the Impact of FGM67:41 Reclaiming African Identity and Education79:57 Changing Perspectives on African Identity90:28 The Significance of February 6th FGM Awareness Day108:10 Empowering Change: A Girl at a Time Organization119:43 Breaking the Silence on Sexual Desire122:06 Unpacking Cultural Stigmas and Pain125:15 Empowering Women Through Education and Support129:31 Community Responsibility and Changing Mindsets132:41 The Role of Men in Ending FGM136:59 The Socioeconomic Factors Behind FGM140:09 The Impact of Violence on Women and Girls143:34 Redefining Language Around FGM149:13 A Call to Action for Community EngagementTo follow Alimatu's work, visit her website @ https://www.agdgetitdone.co.uk/