Ilwad Elman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ilwad Elman
Ilwaad Elman
Elman in 2015
Born	1988/1989 (age 35–37) Mogadishu, Somalia
Occupation	Social Activist
Parent(s)	Elman Ali Ahmed and Fartuun Adan

Ilwad Elman (Somali: Ilwaad Elman) is a Somali-Canadian social activist. She works at the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center in Mogadishu, Somalia. She works alongside her mother Fartuun Adan, who founded the organization. In 2016, she was named the African Young Personality (Female) of the Year at the Africa Youth Awards.

Early Life and Family

Ilwad was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, around 1989 or 1990. She is one of four daughters. Her parents are Elman Ali Ahmed, an entrepreneur and peace activist, and Fartuun Adan, a social activist.

Her father was a strong supporter of peace in the 1990s. He created the famous saying in Somalia: "Drop the Gun, Pick up the Pen." Sadly, he was killed in 1996 because of his human rights work. He is still known today as the Somali Father of Peace.

Ilwad moved back to Somalia from Canada in 2010. At that time, there was still a lot of conflict. Much of Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia were controlled by a terrorist group.

On November 20, 2019, her sister Almaas Elman was killed near the Mogadishu airport. Almaas had also returned to Somalia to work as an aid worker.

Working for Peace and Rights

To honor her father, Ilwad's mother, Fartuun Adan, and her children started the Elman Peace Centre in Mogadishu. Her mother is the head of this non-profit organization. Ilwad works there as the Director of Programs and Development.

She helps create and manage the center's programs. These programs focus on important areas like:

• Human Rights
• Fairness for all genders
• Protecting people
• Peace and safety
• Helping people start their own businesses

Ilwad also helps run Sister Somalia. This is a part of the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center. It was the first program in Somalia to help victims of violence. It offers support like counseling, health care, and housing for women who need it. Ilwad's work has made more people aware of these issues. It has also helped change government policies. She has also led workshops for people who are struggling. She has created projects that offer new ways for young and old people to earn a living.

In 2012, Mogadishu hosted its first TEDx conference. This event was organized to show how business, development, and safety were improving in Somalia. Ilwad was a speaker at this event. She talked about how Sister Somalia helped rebuild the country after the conflict.

In 2011, Ilwad represented Somalia in a campaign called "Climb Up, Speak OUT." She joined 76 other activists from 36 African countries. The event took place on Mount Kilimanjaro. It ended with everyone promising to stop violence against women and girls.

Ilwad has also appeared in documentaries. In 2013, she was in Through the Fire. In 2014, she was in Live From Mogadishu. This film was about the Mogadishu Music/Peace Festival in March 2013. It was the first international music festival in Somalia's capital in many years.

Besides her work at Elman Peace, Ilwad supports the Kofi Annan Foundation. She is part of their "Extremely Together" project. She and nine other young leaders work to prevent violence. They do this by inspiring and empowering young people around the world.

Ilwad also leads the Child Protection Gender Based Violence Case Management Group in Mogadishu. She is a founding member of a group that researches social norms about violence in Somalia and South Sudan. She is also an expert in several international networks focused on peace and protection.

In 2016, The Washington Post wrote about Ilwad and the Elman Center. They described how the center helps boys who were child soldiers. The center works to help them return to normal life.

In 2015, Ilwad spoke to the UN Security Council about protecting civilians. This was a big moment. It was the first time someone from a non-government group was asked to speak on this topic. It was also the first time the yearly discussion focused on women's empowerment. Later, she helped write the Youth Action Agenda on Countering Violent Extremism. This agenda was mentioned in an important UN Security Council Resolution (2250) about youth, peace, and security. In August 2016, the UN Secretary General appointed Ilwad as an expert advisor on Youth, Peace & Security. She was asked to help create a plan for the UN resolution.

Ilwad continues to find new ways to advocate for human rights. She works on projects that help people directly. She also speaks out globally. Her efforts have started movements in Somalia and gained international attention. She works to find lasting solutions for the suffering and ongoing crisis in Somalia.

Awards and Special Recognition

Ilwad has received many awards for her important work:

• 2015 Gleitsman International Activist Award from Harvard Kennedy School
• 2016 Right the Wrongs Award from Oxfam America
• 2016 Young African Woman of the Year Award
• Named one of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans of 2017
• 2017 BET Global Good Star Award
• Finalist for the Aurora Prize for awakening humanity
• Included in the BBC's 100 Women list in November 2020

Other Honours

In 2014, Ilwad was chosen as a YALI Fellow by the United States Department of State. In 2018, she was invited to the International Leaders Programme in the United Kingdom.

See also

In Spanish: Ilwad Elman para niños

• Iman Elman - Ilwad's sister, who serves in the Somali military