Edna Adan Ismail | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 8th Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office June 25, 2003 – June 26, 2006 | |
| President | Dahir Riyale Kahin |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Saed Gees |
| Succeeded by | Abdilahi Mohamed Dualeh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 September 1937 (age 87) Hargeisa, Somalia |
| Education | Borough Polytechnic (now London South Bank University) |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Known for | Activist for the abolition of female genital mutilation (FGM) |
| Awards | Templeton Prize (2023) |
| Signature |  |
Edna Adan Ismail (Somali: Edna Aadan Ismaaciil / Adna Aadan Ismaaciil; born 8 September 1937) is a nurse midwife, activist, and was the first female Foreign Minister of Somaliland[1] from 2003 to 2006. She previously served as Somalia’s Minister of Family Welfare and Social Development.
She is the director and founder of the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa and an activist and pioneer in the struggle for the abolition of female genital mutilation. She is also President of the Organization for Victims of Torture.[2]
She was married three times, including to Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, who was the prime minister of the State of Somaliland five days prior to Trust Territory of Somalia's independence and later the Somali Republic (1960–1960) and (1967–1969) and President of Somaliland (1993–2002), although the two divorced after five years.
- ^ Gettleman, Jeffrey (2 June 2009). "No Winner Seen in Somalia's Battle With Chaos". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ Topping, Alexandra (23 June 2014). "Somalia's leading lady for women's rights: 'It is time for men to step up'". The Guardian.