Somali Ambassador for Peace Honored at Conference
Somali Ambassador for Peace, Asha Hagi Elmi visited Utah by invitation of Worldwide Organization for Women
The Conference was co-sponsored by Weber State University, Geography Department, Womens’ Studies, & Diversity Office and addressed the topic “WOMEN AND THEIR WORLDWIDE INFLUENCE FOR PEACE”
Asha was the Guest Speaker at the Conference Awards Luncheon, Saturday October 10th where she received the “Women and their Influence for Peace” Advocacy Award. Asha also spoke at BYU; UVU; and at the Salt Lake City Library, which was sponsored by the U of U and the Mayor’s Office of Diversity and Human Rights
Asha Hagi Elmi has been battling hardship and war since she was very young. A citizen of Somalia, she has raised her young family in the midst of war. Unlike many, she has spoken out and continues under the hardest of situations, to organize and advocate for women and children from her war torn country. Currently sitting at the peace table and advising the US Secretary of State, Asha shared her insights on peace and the need for WOW’s three pillars of advocacy, educational opportunity and humanitarian work if the world is to find peace for its’ families.
Asha Hagi has dedicated her life to gaining a better and more peaceful future for her war-torn country, Somalia. At great personal risk, she has fought for women to have a voice in the decisions that affect them. She has mobilized women in the cause of peace across clan and political divides and continues to play a vital role in mediating across warring clans in the on-going peace process. Women in Somalia are in a much stronger position today because of her courage, persistence and compassion.
Born in 1962, Asha Hagi graduated in economics from Somalia National University and holds a Master’s degree in business administration from the US International University in Africa. Asha Hagi co-founded in 1992, and is the current Chair of, Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC), which works for a safe and sustainable Somalia by supporting women to overcome marginalization, violence and poverty in their communities. SSWC has seven paid staff and nine volunteers. A large part of the humanitarian funding comes directly from the Somali community around the world as well as from international organizations and individual donors.
Representing the women of Somalia during the Arta peace talks in 2000, Hagi founded, together with other women, the Sixth Clan, the clan of women, to complement the traditional five Somali Clans which are all male-dominated. This became the first time women were represented in a peace process in Somalia. She played a similar role in the Mbagathi Conference in Nairobi (2002-2004), which gave birth to the Transitional Federal Government and the Transitional Federal Parliament, of which Hagi became a member. In both cases the participation of women in these conferences played a crucial role in their success; not only did the women represent a broader interest of the Somali citizens, compared to the often very narrow political positions of the men. They were also able to do ’shuttle diplomacy’ between the antagonistic factions of the traditional five clans. Among the women’s achievements through the idea of the Sixth Clan are: taking women to the high negotiation table with their own identity (Sixth Clan) and as equal partners in decision making, a 12% quota for women representation in the Transitional Federal Parliament, introduction of fair gender formatting (he /she) in the charter language the creation of a Ministry for Gender and Family Affairs, and a decree by the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia ensuring a 30% quota for women in the district and regional councils, in national commissions, local committees and conferences.
The recent development in Somalia and Hagi’s role in the peace process: Late in 2006, events in Somalia took a dramatic turn for the worse. There were two factions in the Transitional Federal Government, which had contrary views relating to peace dialogue or military action involving the Ethiopians. In November 2006, while a group, including Hagi, favoring the former was negotiating with the Islamic Courts Union, which effectively ruled Mogadishu and much of Somalia, the latter was inviting in the Ethiopian army. The Ethiopians took Mogadishu at the end of December, with the deaths of around 1,000 people and widespread destruction of the city. By April 2007, more than 350,000 people had fled the city. The current situation effectively prevents Hagi, who has spoken out against this development on the global media, from returning to Mogadishu, so that she is now based in Nairobi. However, her organization SSWC is seeking to give relief in Mogadishu to those who remained, distributing food and hygiene kits to women and children.
Since May 2008, Asha Hagi’s focus is on the UN sponsored peace dialogue between the Transitional Federal Government and the Alliance Re-liberation of Somalia in Djibouti, where she is a member of the High Level Political Committee in the Djibouti Peace and Reconciliation Talks. In the peace talks, Hagi represents a balanced position between the different political interests. However, she does not give way on her most important principle: the need for reconciliation and an inclusive, non-violent political process. Her role requires a lot of courage and is putting her in considerable danger, even outside Somalia. Further activities: Asha Hagi is a core group member of the Leaders Project, established in 2002, that has brought together more than 300 women leaders from around the world. She is also a member of the Pan-African Parliament in Johannesburg. She is a member of the 21 Peace Commissioners from Africa of the Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA), and a Board Member of the Africa Peace Forum (APF) and the International Resource Group on Security and Small Arms in the Horn of Africa Region.
Asha Hagi has received a number of awards for her human rights and peace-building work. In 2001, she was made an ‘Ambassador for Peace’ by the Interreligious and International Federation For World Peace. In 2005, she received the Blue Ribbon Peace Award from the Women Leadership Board of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and the first award of ‘Women of Substance’ by the African Women Development Fund. In 2006, she received the ‘Tombouctou / Women Peacemaking Award’ from Femmes Africa Solidarity.
OTHER SPEAKERS AT WOW CONFERENCE
Valerie Hudson is on faculty at BYU. Author of the book, Bare Branches, her work on women and their treatment by governments has made headline news. She has linked world peace with the treatment of women by governments. She discussed findings from her research and answered questions about her work. Knowledge is power; her insights gave a better understanding of why we need to speak out for those who continue to be oppressed.
Afton Beutler represents the Worldwide organization for Women in Geneva as the Vice President for International Affairs. Besides overseeing humanitarian efforts, she has developed and managed the WOW intern program, training over 26 young adults in the workings of the United Nations and setting up projects and panels in a variety of venues at the Human Rights Council and HO side events. Currently the Co Convener for the NGO CSW committee on Women’s Right to Health, she discussed ways that our voices can truly be a positive influence for change and shared important work being done by the WOW interns in Geneva and how you might help.
Ramita Shrestha. Since 2004, Ramita has managed a small technology center for rural villagers to gain access to critical content for development. Despite civil war in Nepal during 2005 and 2006, Ramita was able to keep her center functioning without any external funding. Today, her center attracts up to 50 remote villagers (who often make the 3-hour trek one way). As an active community mobilizer, Ramita dedicates her life to support women’s groups, small entrepreneurs, and farmer cooperatives by providing access to localized content suited for Himalayan livelihoods and in various Nepalese languages. Her topic for the conference was ”Empowerment of Nepalese Rural women for their Rights”.
Carol Ugochukwu “Carol Ugochukwu is currently the Executive Director WOW-Africa encouraging community and self-development projects. Prior to her retirement, Carol held several positions in the Civil Service including, Sole Administrator of a local Government and Permanent Secretary/Director-General. She was elected the State President and National Vice President of the National Council of Women’ Societies of Nigeria. An organization that was actively involved in community organizations and programs for educating and breaking cultural barriers militating against the advancement of women and children. Born in Nigeria, Carol received her education in Nigeria and London, England. Her education and work made her a recognizable role model for the younger generation in her community. Carol is well-traveled and has represented her country in many national, international and UN Conferences. She is a recipient of many awards including a Chieftaincy title from her community, the Rotary Community Service award , WOW-Humanitarian Service Award, and the Precious Mother Award. She spoke to the necessity of education for women and how we must work together for this goal.
Jacki Hunlow Lives in Portland Oregon. Among other honors, she has served on the National Board of the American Mothers Inc. and President of Oregon American Mothers Association, her dedication to the role that mothers play in society inspired her to start the Mothers Legacy Project, a living collection of written, oral and visual stories honoring mothers. An author and artist Jacki shared the importance of women telling their stories, and how everyone can be a part of this great collection of stories and build strength in children and peace in the world.
Charlotte Hamblin is a native of Utah but has changed lives a world away. She and her husband saw a need in Mozambique and decided to do something about it. Over the last three years they have helped countless girls to get an education through their humanitarian projects. She illustrated how getting sewing machines into the hands of women and paying for the production of school uniforms has opened doors for girls. Those in attendence were inspired by her work and learned how one woman can make a difference.
