Nimo Mohammed Ali has a Master of Arts: (Distinction) in International Social & Community Development from University of East London, UK (2008-2009), and PQCCA; Post Graduate Cert: Advanced Child Care Award – Brunel University (2006), Higher Education Diploma in Social Work-University of North London (2004).
Nimo’s areas of interest are Violence Against Women & Girls, training on child protection, child participation, and School related gender-based violence, positive discipline in schools. peace building initiatives in schools, child protection assessments, and helping to design solution focused programs in addressing issues of human- trafficking.
Nimo has over ten years progressive experience as an active and passionate advocate for gender equality, child rights and protection and a speciality in tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) as well as a keen interest in enabling and empowering communities to take action for change. She has worked with non-profit organizations, companies and networks around the world to help develop capacity to make social change and create dynamic, effective programming. She has firsthand experience in policy development, and advocacy. She contributed to legislation in the United Kingdom particularly on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the framework and discourse within which the local authorities engage with the minority ethnic communities in relation to responding to cultural/religious needs, conflicts and barriers in areas of child protection mechanisms.
Nimo’s current position is as the Executive Director and founder of Candle of Hope Foundation (NGO operating in Kenya and Somaliland). Her work has invariably focused on implementing humanitarian and development Initiatives through community-initiated programs that enhance empowerment, sustainability and resilience and peace building. Her other areas of work entails child protection and programmatic work to develop solutions that address the underlying causes that lead to women/ children inequalities, exclusion and violence against women and children. She has been involved in organizing several communities around self- help groups for peace building, both in Kenya and Somaliland on issues related to education, enterprise development and empowerment of marginalized women.
Nimo contributed and raised funds for poor/-marginalized communities of Somalia and Kenya by participating in campaigns and international forums. Issues, such as internal conflicts and protracted displacements and their ramifications on vulnerable communities particularly women and the youth are of great concern to Nimo. Specifically, she has a great passion and drive in wanting to tackle protection issues surrounding gender and gender-based violence among internally displaced people in Somalia and Kenyan refugee camps. Being disadvantaged simply due to gender is something that resonates with Nimo as a Somali woman and she would therefore like to contribute and strengthen the enabling environment for women, youth empowerment and peace building initiatives in Africa. She is also keen and interested in how mobility as access impacts on women and girls in the on- going insecurity and conflict in the Horn of African communities.
