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Fahma Mohamed – The Youngest to Ever Receive a Doctorate in The UK
8-02-2016
Being the voice for a social cause especially if it’s related to girls is not easy in today’s world. But Fahma Mohamed, a teenager with motivation, focus, and willpower has done it and she is getting all the honor she deserves. The 19-year-old Fahma Mohamed from Somalia will be awarded a Doctorate of Law by the University of Leicester, making her the youngest person to have a PhD in the UK. She will receive an honorary degree acknowledging her campaigning work to end FGM (Female Genital Mutilation), the removal of some or all of the external female genitalia.
Fahma, from the age 14, begun volunteering at a local charity, Integrate Bristol in 2011, that campaigns to end FGM & work towards equality for girls. Two years ago, she fronted a national campaign to stop the abuse, with United Nations’ secretary general Ban Ki-Moon meeting her and directly praising her work. She also launched a petition and wrote a letter to the former Education Secretary Michael Gove, asking to write to all teachers in England, warning them about the dangers of FGM and offering advice on its prevention. The petition attracted more than 230,000 signatures.
Fahma was unaware of the FGM and no one would ever discuss this, as it was considered taboo. It was through the campaign that she came to know about this sensitive subject. She was shocked to know that it was practiced in Britain. She admitted that she was “quite shy and reserved” to begin with, but quickly went with the flow. “I kept thinking about how helpless the girls were feeling and that was what motivated me to keep going,” she told the Bristol Post. The recognition ceremony will be held at the Wills Memorial Building.
Congratulations Fahma! It’s about time this abuse is stamped out, and not just in UK but worldwide. May you continue to be the voice for these girls and may you always shine.
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