Waris Dirie was born in 1965, Somalia, into a nomadic family of the Darod clan. Waris Dirie is a Somali model, author, social and human rights activist in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM). At the tender age of four, she endured the unimaginable trauma of sexual assault. Following the cultural ideals of purity and shame, she underwent the traditional practice of female genital mutilation. Despite her harrowing upbringing, she managed to escape an arranged marriage to a 60-year-old man at the age of 13 and fled to London. In London, she worked as a maid for her uncle, a Somali ambassador to the United Kingdom, before catching the eye of a photographer, who helped her launch her modeling career. Waris rose to prominence as a supermodel in the 1980s and 1990s, gracing the covers of top fashion magazines and walking runways for renowned designers. Despite her success in the fashion industry, she did not let it overshadow her activism. In 1998, Waris published her internationally famous autobiography, titled "Desert Flower," where she bravely shared her experiences of FGM. This catapulted her into working as leading advocate against this inhumane practice at the United Nations as a special ambassador for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (1997-2003). In 2009, Dirie became a founding member of PPR Foundation for Women’s Dignity and Rights, an organization of French tycoon François-Henri Pinault (CEO of PPR) and his wife, Hollywood actress Salma Hayek. Her advocacy doesn't stop there however, she has also started the Desert Dawn Foundation, which raises money for schools and clinics in her native Somalia. This foundation helps the affected individuals of FGM, and it has made a strong impact for women going through this brutality. For Waris's dedication in her humanitarian work and books, she has received numerous prizes like the Corine Award and Women for Women award. Today, Waris Dirie continues her advocacy work, striving to raise awareness about FGM and empower women and girls around the world. Her resilience in overcoming her hardships have inspired countless of women to join her in her fight for human rights against the unjustness of such practice.

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