(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
- In the book «Suaad's journey», which came out last week, you tell for the first time about the day you as an 8-year-old were genitally mutilated in Somalia. You have previously assisted NRK journalist Tormod Strand, who has written the book, with the reports he made in 2007 about female genital mutilation in Somalia. But in the book, it is the first time you are open with your story. Why did you choose to tell about something so personal and private?
- I am a nurse and midwife from Somalia and have worked with genital mutilation for many years and have both knowledge and experience. In Norway today, there is a lack of knowledge to save the children who are victims of this vicious tradition and it is therefore important to obtain information. I hope and believe that people will understand it better when it is a personal presentation.
- What reactions have you received from the Somali community in Norway?
- Last year when we had the reports from Somalia on NRK, it was very tough. In our culture, one should not talk loudly about such things. After the book came out, however, I have received only positive feedback. Both men and women in the environment think the book is important to them as well, they now understand more of what genital mutilation is all about.
- You have been involved in the fight against genital mutilation in Norway and have a 20 percent position at the health station at your home in Vestby where you inform about genital mutilation and help those who are exposed to it. But have the Norwegian authorities done enough to combat this problem in Norway?
- No, the Norwegian authorities have not done enough. A lot of positive things have happened in recent years, but we have not come as far as I would like. Cultural relativistic attitudes have definitely hampered the fight against female genital mutilation in Norway. I think we could need an ombud, an office or competence center that works with the problem and can help with information to both the health service, the media and the police, but also to the victims. There they have come further in both Denmark and
Sweden.
- You're from Somalia. Recently came the book "See Us" written by a young Norwegian-Somali woman under the pseudonym Amal Aden. She paints a gloomy picture of the Somali environment in Oslo, which she believes is characterized by notorious social security parasites and neglect. Do you recognize yourself in this description?
- What is in that book does not apply to my Somali network. There are several Somali problems in Norway today, but what she writes, she is responsible for.
- How would you describe the Somali environment in Norway compared to Somali communities in others
Western European countries?
- I am not a researcher, but my impression is that in the UK, for example, there are more people with a Somali background who have their own company and have been allowed to develop to a greater extent than in Norway. I think one reason may be that Britain has a background as a colonial power and thus has a greater cultural understanding to give Somalis a chance to develop positively.
- In the book "Suaad's journey" you say that you know many Somalis who work hard, but also many who take advantage of the system. You also mean that Somalis are not able to integrate if society does not give them a chance and that Norwegian integration policy is largely to blame for this?
- I believe that when you come to a new country, with a new language, a different climate and culture, you need a good hand to hold on to. And then we must have concrete measures. I came to Norway as a new refugee in 1989 and after a short stay in Eastern Norway was sent to Western Norway, outside Haugesund. It turned out that we were integrated in a positive way. Gjesdal municipality showed that they needed us. I think many refugees today are not received that way. The introduction program for new refugees is a measure that I think is very good, but in Eastern Norway there are many places where it does not work so that the refugees get a hand in it.
- Jens Stoltenberg recently announced a tightening of Norwegian asylum policy. Many of the refugees who come to Norway today are from Somalia. What thoughts do you have about the tightening of asylum?
- I can not believe that my second home country Norway will do this. People who come here have a hard time and need protection. Somalia today is not a functioning country. I can hardly imagine anyone going back there.
