Asha Haji Elmi
Encyclopedia
Asha Haji Elmi is a peace activist
in Somalia
who won the Right Livelihood Award
(known as the alternative Nobel Prize) in 2008, with three other activists from India, USA and Germany. In September, 2009, she was one of five recipients of the Clinton Global Citizen Award.
in 1962. She has a degree in economics from Somalia National University
and holds a Master of Business Administration
from the US International University in Africa
.
Work as Peace Activist
When women were excluded from the peace process in Somalia (which involved the five traditional clans), she formed the Sixth Clan
movement to win a seat at the table. She was selected to the Transitional Federal Parliament
(TFP) of the Republic of Somalia on August 29, 2004, and will serve until 2009. She is also the founder of Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC), created in 1992 during the height of the Somali Civil War
.
Asha has been acknowledged internationally for her activism against female genital mutilation
(FGM) in Somalia and in other areas of Africa
. She frequently travels to college campuses and universities around the world giving speeches about the political conditions in Somalia, FGM and the resulting effects on Somali women.
Peace activist
This list of peace activists includes people who proactively advocate diplomatic, non-military resolution of political disputes, usually through nonviolent means.A peace activist is an activist of the peace movement.*Jane Addams*Martti Ahtisaari...
in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
who won the Right Livelihood Award
Right Livelihood Award
The Right Livelihood Award, also referred to as the "Alternative Nobel Prize", is a prestigious international award to honour those "working on practical and exemplary solutions to the most urgent challenges facing the world today". The prize was established in 1980 by Jakob von Uexkull, and is...
(known as the alternative Nobel Prize) in 2008, with three other activists from India, USA and Germany. In September, 2009, she was one of five recipients of the Clinton Global Citizen Award.
Biography
Asha was born in SomaliaSomalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
in 1962. She has a degree in economics from Somalia National University
Somalia National University
The Somali National University was the national university of Somalia. The university campus was located near KM6, in the capital Mogadishu.-General:...
and holds a Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from the US International University in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
Work as Peace ActivistPeace activistThis list of peace activists includes people who proactively advocate diplomatic, non-military resolution of political disputes, usually through nonviolent means.A peace activist is an activist of the peace movement.*Jane Addams*Martti Ahtisaari...
When women were excluded from the peace process in Somalia (which involved the five traditional clans), she formed the Sixth ClanSixth Clan
The Sixth Clan is a women's network active in Somali politics founded by Asha Haji Elmi. The name stems from the fact that traditionally Somalia's society is said to consist of five major clans...
movement to win a seat at the table. She was selected to the Transitional Federal Parliament
Transitional Federal Parliament
The Transitional Federal Parliament of the Somali Republic is an interim Parliament of Somalia formed in neighboring Kenya in 2004.The Transitional Federal Parliament has 550 members representing Somalia's clans, Islamist opposition, representatives of citizens' groups and the Somali...
(TFP) of the Republic of Somalia on August 29, 2004, and will serve until 2009. She is also the founder of Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC), created in 1992 during the height of the Somali Civil War
Somali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
.
Asha has been acknowledged internationally for her activism against female genital mutilation
Female genital cutting
Female genital mutilation , also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is defined by the World Health Organization as "all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons."FGM...
(FGM) in Somalia and in other areas of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. She frequently travels to college campuses and universities around the world giving speeches about the political conditions in Somalia, FGM and the resulting effects on Somali women.