"Edna
Adan Maternity Hospital is the best hospital in
Africa".Mr. Martin Nsibirwa, University of Pretoria's
LLM P rogramme Manager introduced Dr. Edna profile to
the audience.
University of
Pretoria awards Dr. Edna Adan Ismail from Somaliland the
Chancellor’s Medal for her outstanding contribution to
humanity.
“You cannot make progress unless you stick your neck out
but with due caution”. Dr. Edna Adan, recipient of
University of Pretoria's Chancellor's Medal.
“Edna Adan Maternity Hospital is the best hospital in
Africa”.Mr. Martin Nsibirwa, University of Pretoria’s
LLM Programme Manager introduced Dr. Edna profile to the
audience
The recognition that Centre for Human right at the
University of Pretoria is bestowing upon me belongs to
all who speak out for the voiceless and will hopefully
encourage those who are concerned about human rights but
who keep silent out of fear of repercussions. Perhaps we
should learn from the tortoise whose motto is “You
cannot make progress unless you stick your neck out but
with due caution” Says Dr. Edna Adan former Minister of
Foreign Affairs in Somaliland, the founder of Edna Adan
Maternity Hospital (www.ednahospital.org), Hargeisa,
Somaliland
Dr. Edna Adan was
speaking at the University of Pretoria’s graduation
ceremony yesterday afternoon (Thursday, 10th Dec 09),
where by government officials, EU in South Africa (EU),
ambassadors, UN high officials, academia, alumni’s who
had returned to celebrate 10th anniv ersary of the
LLM programe, international journalists, members of the
Community of Somalila nd in Southern Africa and
hundreds of other guests gathered to celebrate 29 law
students from 20 countries who have just completed a
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights and Dem
ocratization in Africa who received their degrees at the
graduation ceremony. A number of prizes were also
awarded to deserving students.
The theme of Dr.
Edna’s keynote address was “Promoting Human Rights in
Somaliland and Af rica in general”. The 10th
December is the International Human Rights Day. On this
day, some sixty years ago, the United Nations adopted
the Declaration of Human Rights, while in 1420 years
ago, Islam has laid the principles of Human Rights.
“Today, with profound humility, and knowing full well
that there are many who are far more deserving than I
am, I accept this award on behalf of those individuals
and groups both in So maliland and elsewhere who
have taken great personal risk to ensure that others may
live in peace and dignity. This includes the quarter
million war genocide victims in Somaliland who ga
ve their lives to fight oppression during our civil war
from 1982 to 1991. I wish to reconise th em as the
martyrs who praved the way for the peace, freedom and
stability that we (Somal ilanders) enjoy today”.
Said in a moving address in which she accepted
Chancellor’s Medal for her outstanding contribution to
humanity Somaliland, in particular with regard to
helping the under-privileged realize their right to
health.
Dr. Edna further
emphased in her moving speech about women empowerment in
both Somaliland and Africa in general.
“I accept this award on behalf of the women of
Somaliland and Africa who have the highest m
aternal mortality rate in the world and who die because
they are poor. Our women die beca use they lack
care from well trained health care providers in health
facilities that are properly equipped. Our women also
die because the lack the education that would have
raised their status and given them access to skills and
employment” Dr. Edna attaches her caring emoti
ons; she further highlights that women die because of
female genital cutting.
“I know there is no magic wand that can resolve all our
problems but I am confident that if we join hands and
concentrate on just one effort which is that of training
more midwives in our community, we will prevent the
death of many women and children. I therefore appeal for
su pport in this major undertaking which my hospital
(Edna Adan Maternity Hospital, Hargeisa Somaliland) is
pionnering in Somaliland and where such training is in
progress right now” says Dr. Edna, with lots of applauds
and support from hundreds of attendees.
She concludes that she profoundly touched by the
genorisity of University of Pretoria. “Thank you both
for this special recognition and also for the warm
hospitality of your people and your country (South
Africa). Concludes Dr. Edna
According to the center’s website, the University of
Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights, whi ch was awarded
the 2006 UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education,
presents the one-year full-time LLM in partnership with
eight other universities in Africa representing all the
sub-regions. The students were drawn from a variety of
backgrounds, including the civil service, the judiciary,
academia, and some recent graduates.
Since its inception in 2000, 291 students from 35
African countries including Somaliland, have graduated
from the programme, and gone back to their respective
countries to hold various positions in government,
academia, and the NGO sector. Thirty-four students from
19 countr ies have already been selected to
participate in the programme next year.
The students who graduated this week will return to
their respective countries where they will use their
expertise to further an awareness of human rights and
influence general human rights polity in international
and national NGOs, government and academia.
Dr. Edna has publicized her hospitals services and the
struggle of Somaliland to integrate the international
community.
The community of Somaliland in Southern Africa (COSSA)
has also awarded merit certificate to Dr. Edna for her
dedicated contribution and support for the people of
Somaliland.
More of Dr. Edna’s speech analysis, stay tuned on Saeed
Furaa’s next articles/analysis from this corner of
Africa.
Compiled by: Saeed Furaa,
Freelance Journalist, Somaliland Activist.
Pretoria,South Africa
E-mail:
somalilandjournalist@gmail.Com
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