At 86, Edna Adan Ismail stands as a living testament to the power of resilience, courage, and determination. A nurse, midwife, and advocate for women’s health and human rights, she has spent decades breaking barriers and shattering cultural taboos—particularly those surrounding female genital mutilation (FGM). She became the recipient of the prestigious Templeton Prize, a recognition of her lifelong commitment to transforming the lives of women and girls in Somaliland and across Africa.
Ismail’s journey is not just one of personal triumph, but of creating systemic change in a region historically plagued by instability and gender inequality. As Somaliland’s first trained nurse and midwife, and later as its first foreign minister, Ismail has dedicated her life to the fight against FGM and the advancement of maternal health. Today, her proudest achievement is the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital, which she founded in 2002 to address the health crisis left in the wake of the Somali civil war. The hospital is now a beacon of hope in Somaliland, training hundreds of healthcare workers and providing life-saving maternal and child healthcare services.
A Battle Against FGM
For Ismail, the battle against FGM is deeply personal. Having suffered the practice herself, she has fought tirelessly to ensure that no more girls endure the same trauma. “I’m a midwife, and my job is to deliver babies in a safe way,” she explains. “I fight [FGM] because all the girls in my country are subjected to it, and because anybody who has any compassion for human values and the rights of the girls should be fighting it.”
Female genital mutilation, often performed in secret, is recognized globally as a violation of human rights and a form of gender-based violence. Yet, it remains a widespread practice, affecting over 200 million women and girls, according to the World Health Organization. The physical and emotional scars left by FGM are lifelong, increasing the risk of complications during childbirth and posing severe health risks.
But Ismail has seen progress. In the 45 years she has been involved in advocacy, discussions about FGM have gone from unspoken to mainstream. “In my culture, and I’m sure in many African countries, girls are brought up to be ‘respectful,’” she says. “We didn’t talk about a part of the body that is considered to be indecent to speak about… But nowadays, discussions are being held about FGM on the radio, in schools, even in places of worship.”
For Ismail, the breaking of these taboos is a victory in itself, but there is still much work to be done. Her relentless advocacy, however, continues to raise awareness and challenge deep-seated cultural norms, making it increasingly difficult for the practice to remain hidden.
A Legacy of Healthcare and Empowerment
Ismail’s dedication to maternal health is just as profound. When she returned to Somaliland in 1997, the country was in shambles after years of civil war. There were only 18 qualified nurses serving a region the size of England and Wales, and no formal training institutions. Driven by her father’s example—himself a pioneering doctor in Somaliland—Ismail decided to take on the challenge of rebuilding the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
“When I came back, we had 18 qualified nurses. Today, Somaliland has over 1,000 midwives and eight training schools,” she says proudly. Thanks to her efforts, maternal mortality in Somaliland has steadily, if slowly, decreased, and the country now boasts over 15 hospitals, 200 maternal-child health centers, and private clinics. The Edna Adan Maternity Hospital has become the foundation of this transformation, serving as both a medical facility and a training institution.
In a country where healthcare was once practically non-existent, the changes have been monumental. Somaliland’s healthcare workforce has not only grown but has also started attracting medical professionals from abroad. Ismail’s hospital, and the university that grew alongside it, have become pillars of Somaliland’s recovery, ensuring that women receive the care they need while fostering the next generation of health workers.
Inspiring Future Generations
Throughout her career, Ismail has broken numerous glass ceilings. She was Somalia’s first lady, Somaliland’s first foreign minister, and one of the first women in her region to receive a formal education. But her impact reaches far beyond titles and accolades.
“I wish to be remembered as an experimental animal,” Ismail says, with her characteristic humility. “In the experiment of teaching a girl to read and write, to become a nurse and a midwife, to hold community and national responsibility… And the experiment was a success.”
Her life is a story of perseverance and possibility, a living example of how education, determination, and a deep sense of responsibility can change lives and inspire others. By paving the way for women in healthcare and leadership, Ismail has become a role model for girls across Africa, proving that no cultural or societal barrier is insurmountable.
Edna Adan Ismail’s work is not yet done. As she continues to raise awareness about FGM, advocate for women’s rights, and build healthcare infrastructure, her legacy grows. For the girls and women whose lives she has touched, she is not just a healthcare provider or an advocate—she is hope personified. In a world that often dismisses the contributions of women, particularly in places like Somaliland, Ismail’s example is proof that change is not only possible—it is inevitable when driven by a force as unyielding as hers.
Her dream is simple, yet profound: to ensure that the doors she has opened remain open for future generations of women, so they, too, can change the world.
