Somali rights defender Zahra Ahmed wins Women of Courage Award

Somali human rights defender Zahra Mohamed Ahmed has been honoured by the US Government for her contribution towards championing for rights of vulnerable groups in Somalia.

The US embassy in Mogadishu announced Friday Mama Zahra, as she is fondly known is the winner of this year’s International Women of Courage Award for Somalia.

US ambassador to Somalia Donald Yamamoto praised her for her dedication and service to humanity.
“Mama Zahra has demonstrated exceptional bravery in defending the rights of the most vulnerable, putting her life and safety constantly at risk,” Yamamoto said. “She is an example to us all of the positive difference that a committed individual can make in the lives of others.”

Zahra Mohamed Ahmad has been at the forefront of human rights advocacy in Somalia for more than 20 years.  As an accomplished lawyer, she began providing legal aid for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) survivors, women on remand status, and women in pre-trial detention.

She leads the SWDC in reporting on human rights violations and cases of abuse and supporting survivors through legal assistance.

Her organization established Somalia’s first free hotline service to combat SGBV and operates one-stop centers for SGBV survivors, mobile legal clinics, family care centers, safe spaces for women and girls, and community child protection centers for internally displaced children.

Zahra was chosen following a call to Somalis by the US embassy to nominate women for the award through social media.

“recognized on March 8 in a virtual ceremony hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.  The First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, will deliver remarks to recognize the courageous accomplishments of these women,” the embassy in a statement.