A Journey of Healing: The Fight Against Female Genital Cutting on Social Media**

After enduring female genital cutting in her childhood, Shamsa Sharawe shares her journey of reconstructive surgery and activism on TikTok, aiming to protect future generations.**

Shamsa Sharawe's life story is one marked by resilience, pain, and an unwavering commitment to make a difference. At just six years old, she experienced the harrowing process of female genital cutting in Somalia, an ordeal that left a profound impact on her. Now at 32, Sharawe transforms her trauma into a powerful message of healing and activism as a British social media influencer.

With a refreshing mix of humor and directness, Sharawe has captured the attention of millions on TikTok. In her provocative videos, she confronts the stigmas surrounding female genital cutting head-on. Using the metaphor of slicing a rose with a razor blade, she graphically illustrates the pain of her past while inviting viewers to engage in vital conversations that society often shies away from.

In 2023, after years of pain and reflection, she underwent a groundbreaking reconstructive surgery in Germany to reclaim a sense of normalcy for her own body—a step she describes as both terrifying and liberating. Alone in a foreign country, she faced her fears, and on the eve of her surgery, Sharawe's determination to heal outweighed the trepidation of the unknown.

Now, as a mother, she is on a mission to protect her daughter and others like her from the traditions of female genital cutting. Sharawe’s influence on TikTok serves not just as a personal catharsis, but also as a beacon for those advocating for change and awareness surrounding this critical issue globally.