Charmarké, father of 6 daughters, had to take on the roles of father and mother after the loss of his first wife: "After the death of my first wife, it was very complicated.” The omerta surrounding issues of female intimacy hinders dialogue within the family sphere itself. However, Charmarké's daughter found the strength to break the silence, opening her heart to share the pain and trauma that had long been hidden: "My daughter found the courage to talk to me, she forgave me and made me understand her suffering. It took me a while to hear, but she was able to approach me. Today my vision goes beyond the borders of my home, I want to revolutionize our society.” Charmarké's story is a collective undertaking, a social change initiated by a united family.
His commitment then extended to a café-debate on the commitment of men against FGM, organised by UNFPA. As a panelist, he took the opportunity to share his experience and call for men to be mobilized: "At this café-debate, I was able to meet committed men who, like me, deplored the lack of space for men to express themselves, particularly on issues that are almost exclusively addressed by women.
Joining the Caravane et Savoirs du Désert association, Charmarké became a member of a coalition of committed men. Together, they are continuing the work begun on the International Day for Zero Tolerance of FGM. "Thanks to the UNFPA initiative, through the Association Caravane et Savoirs du Désert, I am part of the coalition of men to ensure ownership of gender equality while working to fight against gender-based violence".
Driven by the desire to see people acting together, Charmarké expresses his desire to build a more egalitarian society:
"I want men like us, who have impact and responsibility, who know how to express ourselves in front of our peers, to act jointly and sustainably to build a more egalitarian society, to guarantee an end to harmful practices such as FGM. We must listen to our girls, understand them, and help them. Our responsibility extends beyond the family sphere, and we must speak out for all those who do not yet have enough courage.”
Charmarké's story is one of transformation and family commitment to abandoning FGM. Men, as committed partners and holders of privileges in this social dynamic, must become allies. Their responsibility extends to challenging patriarchal norms, denouncing violent behavior, and cultivating relationships based on respect. Charmarké is an example of commitment and carries the voice of many men who today are afraid to speak out on issues still steeped in taboo.
Charmarké's speech resonates within a coalition of men who aspire to create a more egalitarian world, for our daughters, for our mothers and for all women.
