Naima Adan Elmi champions the youth cause through the Save Somali Youth Organization (SASOYO), a non-governmental organization she founded in 2009.

“The youth form the biggest part of the Somali population, yet most of them have no jobs and no means of livelihood,” Naima explains. “This destitution, which forces youth into crime and other negative practices, prompted my colleagues and me to act.”

Naima believes that Somali youth should contribute to the peace and development of their country. For this wish to become reality, she says youths should be educated and master a variety of skills.

“In a country recovering from decades of war, peace is of utmost importance going forward. Somali youth must be at the centre stage in the peacebuilding process,” notes the 33-year-old activist.