Safia Abdi Haase was awarded the Amnesty Award for 2016 for her many years of struggle for women’s rights, and her efforts to spread a positive and accurate picture of Somalia, and Somali culture, in Norway.
‘There are certainly many who deserve this award more than me, but I accept it with gratitude for all the women who have experienced abuse and violence to their bodies’, she said.
Haase is known for her efforts to combat violence and female genital mutilation, and for her struggle against racism and prejudice. She is described as an ambassador in the fight against violence against women. People listen because she has experienced everything together with victims’, said Amnesty International.
‘Telling the story gives me strength. I have been seen and heard, and I see that my experiences will help others, says Haas.
Haas was born in Somalia in 1959, and as a small child she was subjected to genital mutilation. In 1992 she came to Norway as a single mother with three young daughters.
She is a trained nurse and works as a project manager in the foundation Amathea.
Haase has received various awards for her fight against female genital mutilation, and was made a Knight 1st Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav for her work for the benefit of women and to improve children’s living conditions.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
