Asha Haji Elmi

Asha Haji Elmi (Somali: Caasha Xaaji Cilmi, Arabic: عائشة حاجي علمي) (born 1962) is a Somali politician and peace activist. As of August 2012, she is a former member of the Federal Parliament of Somalia.

Asha Haji Elmi
عائشة حاجي علمي
Born1962
Somalia
NationalitySomali
Alma materSomalia National University
US International University
Occupationpeace activist
SpouseAbdi Farah Shirdon Saaid
AwardsRight Livelihood Award (2008)
Clinton Global Citizen Award (2009)

Background

Elmi was born in 1962 in Somalia. She hails from the Saleebaan sub-clan of the Habar Gidir.[1]

For her post-secondary education, Elmi earned a degree in economics from the Somali National University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from the US International University.

Elmi is married to Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid, a prominent entrepreneur and the former Prime Minister of Somalia.[2]

Career

Peace activism

In the 2000s, Elmi formed the Sixth Clan women's movement to advance female participation in Somali politics. She was later selected to the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) on August 29, 2004, and served until 2009.[3]

Elmi is also the founder of Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC), created in 1992 during the height of the Somali Civil War.[4][5]

Additionally, Asha has been acknowledged internationally for her activism against female circumcision (FGC) in Somalia and in other areas. She frequently travels to college campuses and universities around the world giving speeches about local political conditions and the effects of FGC.[6]

Federal Parliament

In August 2012, Elmi was selected as a legislator in the Federal Parliament of Somalia.[1]

Awards

Elmi has received numerous awards for her peace work. In 2008, she became a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award "for continuing to lead at great personal risk the female participation in the peace and reconciliation process in her war-ravaged country".[7] In September 2009, she was also among five nominees that were presented the Clinton Global Citizen Award.[8]

References
  1. THE OFFICIAL LIST OF THE NEW MEMBERS OF SOMALI PARLIAMENT IN 2012-2016 Archived June 24, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Somali president names political newcomer as PM -diplomats". Reuters. 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  3. "Selected Members of the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia (275) 29.08.2004 - 2009" (PDF). Somali-CivilSociety.org. 2004-08-29. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2015. Retrieved 2007-02-07.
  4. "Somali Women Hope To Affect Khartoum Peace Talks". US Department of State. 2006-10-16. Archived from the original on 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
  5. "Save Somali Women and Children". Archived from the original on 2006-08-25. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
  6. "Somalian Human Rights Activist Soffa Lecturergjnregreng". University of Wisconsin–Madison. 2006-09-18. Archived from the original on 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
  7. "Asha Hagi Elmi". The Right Livelihood Award. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  8. "Asha Hagi Elmi (Somalia)". Right Livelihood Award. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
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