Women who led

Aïcha Bogoreh DarrarAïcha Bogoreh Darrar (1928-2001): Djiboutian independence and women's rights activist, first First Lady of Djibouti.
Amina Mohamed Abdi (Aamina Maxamed Cabdi)Amina Mohamed Abdi (1981–2022): Somali MP for Hiiraan from 2012, anti-corruption voice, killed in the Beledweyne bombing of 23 March 2022.
Amina Warsame (Aamina Maxamuud Warsame)Amina Warsame: Somali social scientist, early campaigner against FGM, former director of Nagaad.
Asha Ahmed Abdalla (Caasha Axmed Cabdalla)Asha Ahmed Abdalla (born 1958): MP from Sanaag in the Transitional National Government and Transitional Federal Parliament, first woman to run for Somalia's presidency (2004).
Asha Gelle Dirie (Caasha Geelle Diiriye)Asha Gelle Dirie (born 1966): Puntland's women's minister 2005–2012 and chair of the constitutional review commission.
Asha Haji Elmi (Caasha Xaaji Cilmi)Asha Haji Elmi, born 1962: founder of the Sixth Clan women's movement, peace negotiator, MP and 2008 Right Livelihood laureate.
Baar Said Farah (Baar Siciid Faarax)Baar Said Farah: Somaliland MP for Sanaag from 2005 to 2021, long the House's only woman, campaigner for a women's quota; presidential adviser from 2024.
Dekha Ibrahim Abdi (Deeqa Ibraahim Cabdi)Dekha Ibrahim Abdi (1964-2011): Wajir peacebuilder, Right Livelihood Award winner 2007.
Dr Deqo Mohamed (Deeqa Aadan Maxamed)Dr Deqo Mohamed: Somali gynaecologist, former CEO of the Dr Hawa Abdi Foundation and founder of Hagarla Institute.
Dr Hawa Abdi (Xaawo Cabdi Dhiblaawe)Dr Hawa Abdi (1947–2020): doctor and lawyer whose clinic near Afgooye became a hospital and a refuge for 90,000 people.
Edna Adan Ismail: the nurse-midwife who built a hospital in HargeisaEdna Adan Ismail: first Somali nurse-midwife, WHO officer, founder of a hospital and university in Hargeisa, FGM campaigner, 2023 Templeton Prize winner.
Fadumo Dayib (Faadumo Daayib)Fadumo Dayib (born 1972): former refugee, nurse and UN health expert, first woman to run for President of Somalia (2016).
Faiza Jama Mohamed (Faa'isa Jaamac Maxamed)Faiza Jama Mohamed (born 1958): Somali campaigner, Africa Regional Director of Equality Now, advocate of the Maputo Protocol.
Farhiyo Farah Ibrahim (Farxiyo Faarax Ibraahim)Farhiyo Farah Ibrahim: Somali reproductive health advocate from Dadaab, International Women of Courage Award 2008.
Fartuun Adan (Fartuun Cabdisalaan Aadan)Fartuun Adan, born 1969: head of Elman Peace in Mogadishu, co-founder of Sister Somalia, and 2022 Right Livelihood laureate.
Fatima Jibrell (Faadumo Jibriil)Fatima Jibrell (born 1947): co-founder of Horn Relief (Adeso), campaigner against the charcoal trade, Goldman Prize 2002.
Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam (Fowsiyo Yuusuf Xaaji Aadan)Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam: Somalia's first woman Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, 2012 to 2014.
Halima Ismail Ibrahim (Xaliimo Yarey)Halima Ismail Ibrahim (Halima Yarey): agricultural scientist and former chair of Somalia's electoral commission.
Hawa Aden Mohamed (Xaawo Aadan Maxamed, Hooyo Xaawo)Hawa Aden Mohamed (Hooyo Hawa): founder of the Galkayo Education Centre for Peace and Development, Nansen Refugee Award 2012.
Hawo Tako (Xaawo Taako)Hawo Tako (Xaawo Taako), the Somali Youth League member who died in Mogadishu in January 1948 and is remembered as a national heroine.
Hibaaq Osman (Hibaaq Cismaan)Hibaaq Osman: Somali founder of El-Karama and the SIHA women's network.
Hibo Wardere (Hibo Wardheere)Hibo Wardere: London campaigner against FGM, author of the memoir Cut (2016).
Hinda Abdi Mohamoud (Hinda Cabdi Maxamuud)Hinda Abdi Mohamoud: chief editor of Bilan, Somalia's all-women newsroom; BBC 100 Women 2024.
Hodan Ahmed (Hodan Axmed)Hodan Ahmed: co-founder of Somalia's first women's parliamentary caucus and NDI programme officer.
Hodan Said Isse (Hodan Saciid Ciise)Hodan Said Isse: Somali economist, University at Buffalo professor emeritus and UNFPA ambassador for Puntland.
Ifrah Ahmed (Ifraax Axmed)Ifrah Ahmed (born 1989): Somali-Irish campaigner against female genital cutting and founder of the Ifrah Foundation.
Kadra Mahamoud Haid (Khadra Maxamuud Xayd)Kadra Mahamoud Haid: First Lady of Djibouti since 1999, campaigner against FGM.
Khadra Haji Ismail Geid (Khadra Xaaji Ismaaciil Geydh)Khadra Haji Ismail Geid: first woman mayor in Somaliland (Gabiley, 2011 to 2012) and first woman elected to a Somaliland local council.
Khadra Hussein Mohammad (Khadra Xuseen Maxamed)Khadra Hussein Mohammad: lawyer who became Somaliland's first woman National Deputy Prosecutor in 2010.
Leyla Hussein (Leyla Xuseen)Leyla Hussein (born 1980): Somali-British psychotherapist, FGM campaigner, Daughters of Eve co-founder, OBE and St Andrews Rector.
Marwa Abdi Bashir Hagi (Marwo Cabdi Bashiir Xaaji)Marwa Abdi Bashir Hagi: Puntland MP in Somalia's House of the People since 2022 and candidate for president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 2023.
Maryan Seylac (Marian Zeila)Maryan Seylac (b.1987): Baidoa-born journalist, founder of the Somali Women Media Association.
Safiya Hassan Sheikh Ali Jimale (Safiyo Xasan Sheekh Cali Jimcaale)Safiya Jimale: Mayor of Beledweyne 2019 to 2020, the first woman to hold the post.
Shamsa Araweelo (Shamso Caraweelo)Shamsa Araweelo: Somali-British campaigner against FGM, founder of Charity of Peace, BBC 100 Women 2023.
Soraya Miré (Suraya Miira)Soraya Miré (born 1961): Beledweyne-born filmmaker of Fire Eyes (1994) and author of The Girl with Three Legs.
Ubah Ali (Ubax Cali)Ubah Ali (born 1996): Burao-born campaigner against FGM, founder of Solace for Somaliland Girls, BBC 100 Women 2020.
Ujuni Ahmed (Ujuuni Axmed)Ujuni Ahmed: Somali-Finnish activist and author, Finnish PEN free speech award 2020.
Zahra Mohamed Ahmad (Saharo Maxamed Axmed)Zahra Mohamed Ahmad (born 1952): founder of the Somali Women Development Center in Mogadishu, Women of Courage Award 2021.
Zam Zam Abdullahi Abdi (Samsam Cabdullaahi Cabdi)Zam Zam Abdullahi Abdi: Somali journalist and activist for women's and children's rights.
Zamzam Dahir Mohamud (Zamzam Daahir Maxamuud)Zamzam Dahir Mohamud: Galmudug senator in Somalia's Upper House, reported in 2016 as the first woman elected to the new chamber.

Women who led

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