# Women who led | Calankii Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/women-who-led/ Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com) # Women who led All 40 pages in Women who led, from A to Z. Last checked **2026-11-12** - [Aïcha Bogoreh DarrarAïcha Bogoreh Darrar (1928-2001): Djiboutian independence and women's rights activist, first First Lady of Djibouti.](https://calankii.com/en/people/aicha-bogoreh-darrar/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/amina-mohamed-abdi/) - [Amina Warsame (Aamina Maxamuud Warsame)Amina Warsame: Somali social scientist, early campaigner against FGM, former director of Nagaad.](https://calankii.com/en/people/amina-warsame/) - [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).](https://calankii.com/en/people/asha-ahmed-abdalla/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/asha-gelle-dirie/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/asha-haji-elmi/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/baar-said-farah/) - [Dekha Ibrahim Abdi (Deeqa Ibraahim Cabdi)Dekha Ibrahim Abdi (1964-2011): Wajir peacebuilder, Right Livelihood Award winner 2007.](https://calankii.com/en/people/dekha-ibrahim-abdi/) - [Dr Deqo Mohamed (Deeqa Aadan Maxamed)Dr Deqo Mohamed: Somali gynaecologist, former CEO of the Dr Hawa Abdi Foundation and founder of Hagarla Institute.](https://calankii.com/en/people/deqo-mohamed/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hawa-abdi/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/edna-adan-ismail/) - [Fadumo Dayib (Faadumo Daayib)Fadumo Dayib (born 1972): former refugee, nurse and UN health expert, first woman to run for President of Somalia (2016).](https://calankii.com/en/people/fadumo-dayib/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/faiza-jama-mohamed/) - [Farhiyo Farah Ibrahim (Farxiyo Faarax Ibraahim)Farhiyo Farah Ibrahim: Somali reproductive health advocate from Dadaab, International Women of Courage Award 2008.](https://calankii.com/en/people/farhiyo-farah-ibrahim/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/fartuun-adan/) - [Fatima Jibrell (Faadumo Jibriil)Fatima Jibrell (born 1947): co-founder of Horn Relief (Adeso), campaigner against the charcoal trade, Goldman Prize 2002.](https://calankii.com/en/people/fatima-jibrell/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/fawzia-yusuf-adam/) - [Halima Ismail Ibrahim (Xaliimo Yarey)Halima Ismail Ibrahim (Halima Yarey): agricultural scientist and former chair of Somalia's electoral commission.](https://calankii.com/en/people/halima-ismail-ibrahim/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hawa-aden-mohamed/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hawo-tako/) - [Hibaaq Osman (Hibaaq Cismaan)Hibaaq Osman: Somali founder of El-Karama and the SIHA women's network.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hibaaq-osman/) - [Hibo Wardere (Hibo Wardheere)Hibo Wardere: London campaigner against FGM, author of the memoir Cut (2016).](https://calankii.com/en/people/hibo-wardere/) - [Hinda Abdi Mohamoud (Hinda Cabdi Maxamuud)Hinda Abdi Mohamoud: chief editor of Bilan, Somalia's all-women newsroom; BBC 100 Women 2024.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hinda-abdi-mohamoud/) - [Hodan Ahmed (Hodan Axmed)Hodan Ahmed: co-founder of Somalia's first women's parliamentary caucus and NDI programme officer.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hodan-ahmed/) - [Hodan Said Isse (Hodan Saciid Ciise)Hodan Said Isse: Somali economist, University at Buffalo professor emeritus and UNFPA ambassador for Puntland.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hodan-said-isse/) - [Ifrah Ahmed (Ifraax Axmed)Ifrah Ahmed (born 1989): Somali-Irish campaigner against female genital cutting and founder of the Ifrah Foundation.](https://calankii.com/en/people/ifrah-ahmed/) - [Kadra Mahamoud Haid (Khadra Maxamuud Xayd)Kadra Mahamoud Haid: First Lady of Djibouti since 1999, campaigner against FGM.](https://calankii.com/en/people/kadra-mahamoud-haid/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/khadra-haji-ismail-geid/) - [Khadra Hussein Mohammad (Khadra Xuseen Maxamed)Khadra Hussein Mohammad: lawyer who became Somaliland's first woman National Deputy Prosecutor in 2010.](https://calankii.com/en/people/khadra-hussein-mohammad/) - [Leyla Hussein (Leyla Xuseen)Leyla Hussein (born 1980): Somali-British psychotherapist, FGM campaigner, Daughters of Eve co-founder, OBE and St Andrews Rector.](https://calankii.com/en/people/leyla-hussein/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/marwa-abdi-bashir-hagi/) - [Maryan Seylac (Marian Zeila)Maryan Seylac (b.1987): Baidoa-born journalist, founder of the Somali Women Media Association.](https://calankii.com/en/people/maryan-seylac/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/safiya-jimale/) - [Shamsa Araweelo (Shamso Caraweelo)Shamsa Araweelo: Somali-British campaigner against FGM, founder of Charity of Peace, BBC 100 Women 2023.](https://calankii.com/en/people/shamsa-araweelo/) - [Soraya Miré (Suraya Miira)Soraya Miré (born 1961): Beledweyne-born filmmaker of Fire Eyes (1994) and author of The Girl with Three Legs.](https://calankii.com/en/people/soraya-mire/) - [Ubah Ali (Ubax Cali)Ubah Ali (born 1996): Burao-born campaigner against FGM, founder of Solace for Somaliland Girls, BBC 100 Women 2020.](https://calankii.com/en/people/ubah-ali/) - [Ujuni Ahmed (Ujuuni Axmed)Ujuni Ahmed: Somali-Finnish activist and author, Finnish PEN free speech award 2020.](https://calankii.com/en/people/ujuni-ahmed/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/zahra-mohamed-ahmad/) - [Zam Zam Abdullahi Abdi (Samsam Cabdullaahi Cabdi)Zam Zam Abdullahi Abdi: Somali journalist and activist for women's and children's rights.](https://calankii.com/en/people/zam-zam-abdullahi-abdi/) - [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/zamzam-dahir-mohamud/) Last checked 2026-11-12 **Seen a mistake?** Fix this page ## Toosoo! 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