Jamila

I am from Somalia and have been living in Germany since October 2015. I would like to take this opportunity to thank this country for the opportunities it has given me. I believe I can fully use my potential here without being held back. I hope to become a human rights activist in the future. KINO ASYL has been a great enrichment in my new life. Since becoming part of the team, I’ve been able to grow both socially and creatively. It truly is a wonderfully creative project that gives young people a platform. I chose the documentary Africa Rising because it relates to me personally, and I believe it is my responsibility to present this film and raise awareness about this inhumane practice. The main topic, to make it clear from the beginning, is the effort to eliminate the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation in West and East African countries. In Somalia, however, this practice is justified through religion. This process is a form of oppression. People are made to believe that they are guilty of a sin if they do not have their daughters circumcised. It is reinforced with terrible labels such as "she is dirty," "disgraceful," or "unfit for marriage." I want everyone to learn something from this and to feel more compassion and empathy for those socially disadvantaged girls who are being denied a good and dignified future.