Born: 17 May 1947 (Mogadishu, Somalia)
Died: 5 August 2020
Biography:
Hawa Abdi Dhiblawe (Somali: Xaawo Cabdi, Arabic: حواء عبدي, 17 May 1947 – 5 August 2020) was a Somali human rights activist and physician. She was the founder and chairperson of the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation (DHAF), a non-profit organization.
Abdi was born in Mogadishu and grew up in south-central Somalia. Tragedy struck at a young age when her mother passed away when Abdi was just 12 years old. As the oldest of five sisters, she took on the responsibility of raising her siblings and managing household chores.
Her father, a professional who worked at the port of the capital city, recognized her potential and encouraged her education. Abdi attended local elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools, making the most of the educational opportunities available to her.
In 1964, Abdi received a scholarship from the Women’s Committee of the Soviet Union, which allowed her to pursue higher education. She enrolled in the Kiev Medical Institute and graduated as a physician in 1971. Determined to expand her knowledge, she also pursued law studies at the newly opened Somali National University in Mogadishu, earning her law degree in 1979 while practicing medicine during the mornings.
Abdi’s personal life was not without hardships. At the age of 12, she was forced into a marriage with an older police officer. Fortunately, the marriage ended after a few years, and Abdi left Somalia to study in Moscow and Kiev. During her time in the USSR, she met Aden Mohammed, a fellow Somali student. They married in 1973 and had three children together: Deqo, Amina, and Ahmed. Tragically, Ahmed passed away in a car accident in Hargeisa in 2005.
In 1983, Abdi established the Rural Health Development Organization (RHDO) on her family’s land in the southern Lower Shebelle region. Initially, the organization operated as a one-room clinic, providing free obstetrician services to around 24 rural women daily. Over time, the clinic expanded into a 400-bed hospital, offering comprehensive healthcare to the local community.
When civil war erupted in Somalia in the early 1990s, Abdi made the courageous decision to stay behind and help those in need. Inspired by her grandmother’s advice to use her qualifications to assist the vulnerable, she established a new clinic and school for displaced individuals and orphans. This was the foundation for what would later become the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation (DHAF) in 2007.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including the Islamist insurgency in southern Somalia, Abdi remained dedicated to her mission of providing healthcare and support to those in need. In 2011, during a severe drought, her relief camp housed 90,000 people on the 1,300 acres surrounding her hospital.
Abdi’s commitment and resilience in the face of adversity earned her widespread recognition as a champion for human rights and women’s empowerment. She played a significant role in advancing healthcare and education in war-torn Somalia, positively impacting the lives of countless individuals.
Hawa Abdi’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others and her tireless efforts in the humanitarian field made her an inspiration to many. She passed away on 5 August 2020 at the age of 73, leaving behind a lasting legacy of compassion and service.
Awards:
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