Ubah Ali (born 1996) is a social activist and feminist from Somaliland, who campaigns against female genital mutilation. In 2020, she was listed by the BBC as one of the world's most influential 100 Women.[1]
Ubah Ali | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1996 (age 27–28) |
| Education | University of Stirling American University of Beirut |
| Occupation | Somali activist |
| Awards | BBC's 100 Women List |
Biography
editAli was born in 1996 in Burco in the Toghdeer region of Somalia.[2] Her parents are both primary school dropouts: her father worked as a cab driver until he had a stroke in 2012, and her mother used to sell clothes.[3] It was her mother who encouraged Ali's education and for her to apply for scholarships.[4] She studied at the Abaarso School of Science and Technology from 2011 and left there in 2015.[5] She then moved to Miss Hall's School and graduated from there in 2016.[6] As of 2019, she was studying for a BA degree in Politics and Human Rights at the American University of Beirut.[2] Her undergraduate study is funded by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.[3] Whilst studying there, she also tutors Syrian refugees.[5]
Activism
editIn 2015, aged 18, Ali established an organization called Rajo: Hope for Somaliland Community with the aim of providing educational opportunities for orphans and under-privileged students from Somaliland.[6] This was inspired by work she undertook at the Hargeisa Orphanage Centre, between 2012 and 2015, where she tutored students.[6] In 2015 she also fundraised for communities in Somaliland affected by drought.[5]
In 2020, Ali became more widely known due to her campaigning against female genital mutilation (FGM) in Somaliland.[2] In 2018 she founded the Solace for Somaliland Girls Foundation, which aims to end the practice through education and awareness campaigns.[2] The group established the first anti-FGM group in Somaliland as a result.[4] Whilst many Somali people associate FGM with Sharia, Ali alongside doctors and a growing number of religious leaders believe it to be a cultural phenomenon, which can be altered.[2] Ali, as well as her three sisters, are survivors of FGM.[2]
In 2020, Ubah Ali was part of the BBC’s list of the 100 most influential women in the world.[7][8]
Awards
edit- 2018-2019 Resolution Project Winner.[4]
- 2019 Volunteer of the Year, American University of Beirut.[5]
- 2020 BBC 100 Women List.[7]
References
edit- ^ "UpStart Kitchen helps local food entrepreneurs start and grow their business". TMJ4. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "UNPO: Ubah Ali, Somalia". unpo.org. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b Somaliland Sun (5 November 2018). "Somaliland: 22 Years Old Victim of FGM Ubah Ali now Fighting to End the Practice". Somaliland Sun. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b c linaduque (28 September 2020). "Ubah Ali, Activist". Untold. Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d "OUR STUDENTSS". Abaarso Network. 13 April 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b c "Ubah Ali". The Resolution Project. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b "BBC 100 Women 2020: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "How Nigerians Aisha Yesufu, Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim enta BBC 100 Women list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
External links
edit- Youtube: Ubah Ali, Somaliland
- Soundcloud: Ubah Ali - We Can Narrate Our Own Story
- The National News: A conversation about racism in the Middle East with Abeer Sinder, Aziza Sbaity and Ubah Ali