The night Ladan lit up London #YouthPower

Change Begins with you..

(12.08.2015. BBC London Interview. Youth Day)

2015 is one important year, world leaders will meet at key summits to set the goals and targets that will effect how to tackle issues like poverty, inequality and climate change for years to come. If we want to insure that our leaders set and fund ambitions goals to tackle these issues, then we must speak now before its too late. By raising our voices at key moments in 2015, we can fundamentally change how we tackle the world's biggest problem. The United Nations summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda will be held from 25 to 27 September 2015, in New York and convened as a high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly. Presidents and Prime Ministers from 193 countries will meet in New York to agree global goals on the most pressing issues of our time. 

To celebrate Youth Day, I was an ambassador for Restless Development during the Hacktion 2015 event at Google Campus. Five Continents, 80 countries, 100,000 young activists. International Youth Day 2015 was unforgettable, The largest generation of young people in history unleashed their power using the twitter Hashtag #YouthPower. The media team worked hard on a big stunt for the national media. Successfully, we have achieved coverage in the national and international media, including The Guardian, Huffington post and Global Citizen and reached over 36 million people through Social Media. I must say, young people are changing the game and we need more young people to stay active and change our world.

(12.08.2015. Youth Day. London England) 

(12.08.2015. Youth Day. London England)

(12.08.2015. Youth Day. London England)

While most politicians and military leaders in history were more less squabbling about trivial matters, or worst, going to war for no reason, they were some leaders who truly made a difference when they had their time in the spotlight. True servants of the people, these great leaders have shaped the world we know today and with out them we we'd definitely be looking at a much bleaker existence.

Can we just talk about the Legend Nelson Mandela? when I think about Africa,and the most fearless fighters against racial discrimination, I can't help but remember this great man. I was beyond honoured to be part of this stunt and have my picture next to Nelson Mandela, Even after spending 30 years in jail because of his actions, he still had the will power to continue his great work. When you are young, you may think there aren't many ways you can change the world around you. From travelling around the world and learning about different cultures and religions to sitting your dorm, there are a variety ways you can change the world. Some times we get so caught up in our problems and daily routines that we have no tine for others. Doing small acts of kindness. like offering offering to pay for someone's order or getting lunch for a homeless man, can help those who are at their lowest point and give them a hope. In return good things will come around you....

Body Image

(Somfest .London. England. 2015)

Looking your best and feeling your best are two very different things. You can look beautiful, but be unhappy or uncomfortable, or feel amazing in your own skin. One thing I've learned over the years is that being comfortable and feeling great in my own skin is an important lesson. I will look at the mirror and say "I am beautiful African princess" we should learn to love our body  sooner rather than later. Why would I sacrifice my happiness just to conform to standards of beauty? It doesn't make any sense. 

I usually get comments like "You'd look better with a little meat on your bones". "You should shop in the kids section". My body is bound to change as I grow up, and starving myself or eating "Too much" won't stop or help that. I love my food too much to even go on a diet. To be honest, you should only care about making yourself happy rather than making other, judgemental people happy. 

 Beyoncé is beautiful beyond belief, in practically any society’s standards. Apparently, she fights to motivate girls to love their own bodies. We should not wait for celebrities to inspire us to love ourselves and our bodies. Insecurity attacks girls of all shapes, sizes, and colours but it’s important to remember that we are all equally gorgeous. Next time you walk by a mirror, don’t poke at your fat, or point out your flaws, instead find the unique beauty that only you possess.   

(Riya Jama. Toronto, Canada. No Makeup Selfie)

(Sawiya Ali. London. England. No Makeup Selfie)

(Sawiya, Sumaya Ladan and Najma. Somfest2015)

As far as body image issues go, weight is probably the most prominent one. Girls are taught from a very young age that they are supposed to be skinny. Eating disorders have become incredibly common because girls of all ages feel the need to fit society’s idea of beauty. There are 7 and 8 year olds across the country that are dieting and that is just ridiculous. Not everyone is skinny and sometimes our faces aren’t as clear as we’d like. This needs to be portrayed in the media. Currently, Social Media is our worst enemy, we have endless articles with titles such as; "how to finally master contouring" "Lose Weight Fast" "Ways to make your skin lighter" "Tips for short girls to appear taller".  Magazines, TV shows and movies almost exclusively feature thin, clear skinned, taller than average girls with large breasts. The impact this has on impressionable young girls is alarming. It isn’t only the younger ladies that find it hard to bear though. Seeing how the media portrays beauty can be incredibly damaging to a woman’s self-esteem at any age.

Young Women sharing their body image experiences...

(Amal.19. Birmingham/ England) 

"Me and my cousins grew up together and I used to be a little chubbier than the others. Somali ladies and outsiders would pick on me and say "you're pretty for your age and so light, a shame you're fat!" I was 15 at that time. I did not know what to say and this is one of the many reasons why I still have insecurities. I grew up with ezcema, a chronicle skin condition which causes outbreaks, hyperpigmentation, rashes and redness. I have ezcema on my face and the  

rest of my body, growing up people would ask me "why are your eyelids so dark? And what are these rashes on your face? Looks weird"   Somali ladies would constantly tell me to bleach that area so it'd match my "beautifully light skin".   Body image affected me a lot growing up and till this day it does. Alhamdulillah time went by, I found out what triggered my ezcema and it's a lot better and barely noticeable. I did lose a little weight throughout the year, but during those years I learned to love and respect myself. It's hard not to give up & do whatever people tell you to do because you think they're right, but it's worth it."        

(Sumaya and Sawiya. England. London.)

My sister and I are like best friends, we do everything together. We get our hair done, shop, you name it. But Every Time I go out I hear references relating to how she's lighter than me, and how if we are really sisters and so on and so forth. Growing up was long, because random Somali ladies always used to say to me that bright colours do not suit my skin tone as I was dark. I never used to wear bright colours because of the stigma attached. I am more confident now and I wear bright colours, but that's not even the main thing. One occasion, my sister and I went hairdressers. So I'm in line to get my hair and brows done, and Sawiya was heading out to grab food, she leaves. And this somali woman who I don't even know starts cackling to herself like some lost soul. She then said "is she your sister? Why is she lighter than you? Look at you! you're dark! you're ugly, your brows are hideous! bleach yourself to be beautiful like your sister  I can't even believe you two are sisters, you're hideous. If you bleached yourself you'll find a nice guy Blah blah"  Ain't gonna lie, out of anger, I cried. How can I can I fight some any random middle aged Somali mother? My mum handled that. This happened when I was 16. Anyways, some Somalis have this perception that being light skin is a blessing and gods gift to this world. It's sad. It occurs more in the older generation. Many girls that I know bleached themselves so much that they look Arab. I lost contact with one old friend and I bumped into her, not recognizing who she was. It's sad how society forces you to change yourself for their pleasure. No. I know this is long. But I'm dark, brown and proud.       Another occasion, was when this black (ok she bleached) some grey lady (kmt) came up to me (this year) and said how I was pretty but would be even beautiful if I was white. And she tried to persuade me to bleach. She said being black is dirty"

(Munira. Coventry.England)

"Women around the world, whether you are from Tokyo, Zimbabwe or the South of France, we all carry insecurities, installed in us by society. Growing up, we all have carried insecurities about our bodies and the way we look. For me, my acne has continued to be my biggest insecurity I have been carrying to date. Spots, or in my case Cystic Acne, has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. In the beginning stages of my acne, I would often visit doctors, dermatologist and all sorts of specialist, praying and wishing something would clear up my skin. I felt ugly, and alone, and would often hide my skin, covering up my skin with endless amounts of Make-Up, made me secure in being seen in public. As a teenager, I would often shy away from others because I was insecure with the way I looked. It was only once I entered my twenties, when I learned to embrace my insecurities. I have grown to accept that my skin may never become clear, and that’s ok.  I have come to understand now that my worth is not defined by the way I look, but rather what I bring to the world. Whilst there is no understanding of what causes Cystic Acne, some doctors believe hormones play a part. It often happens when spots become infected, this then causes the skin to have more breakouts. This of course is not a pretty sight for a young woman growing up.     

  

Unfortunately unlike others, I don’t suffer from the odd pimple here and there, as my acne is more severe, and because of this, it has caused large areas of my skin to be permanently scarred.     

It is such a shame that society has placed this idea into the world, that I must have perfect skin, and anything less than perfect is simply not acceptable .I am constantly bombarded with advertisements, women’s magazines and television shows telling me how to ‘look perfect’. What they don’t all realise is that my imperfections are what make me perfect. It is such a shame that we are told that loving our bodies is us carrying ‘vanity’. 

 I would like to ask what exactly is vain about loving who you are. Learning to love yourself, and the way you look should fundamentally be the most important thing we do as young women. Our bodies may not be perfect, and that’s perfectly ok. What should be important is what we bring to the world. Our ideas, thoughts and opinions of issues that are significant to us, I truly believe more Importance needs to be placed on that.We are all strong young women with voices, attitudes and ideas that need to be addressed. Our bodies belong to us. We need to stand up for young women across the world, and radicalise that we are beautiful no matter what the media or society says. Let’s stand up united together as one, and advocate to women around the world ‘You are Beautiful’. "    

After reading this, I hope you realize how uniquely beautiful your body is, and know that it’s never necessary to take extreme measures to change your body in any way.

You are amazing just the way you are.

Jennifer Lawrence talks body image - BBC Newsnight

Skin Bleaching Article by Mohamed Adow

Body Image research

This girl can

Birmingham Afternoon Tea

(Afternoon Tea, Birmingham City/England, 13.06.2015)

After hosting my first afternoon tea gathering in London/UK, I have received endless requests from young Somali girls in other cities and around the world. The aim of my events and gatherings is to equip young people through education and learning. Also, encourage girls to be more active in our community and offer invaluable networking opportunities - a chance for attendee's to connect and liaise with other influential young people. 


The most exciting request I received so far is from Mogadishu/Somalia, one girl who is currently living in Mogadishu tweeted me and personally invited me to host 'Empowered Young Women' event in Somalia. One of the easiest ways to empower women around you is to be a role model to them. 

Empowered Young Women Afternoon Tea in Birmingham City/England.  

Before visiting Birmingham city, I came across Adrain Jones Report, The unexpected community. He states that, "Somalis in Birmingham represent a newly emergent community, which has grown dramatically in size over the past 5-6 years, with many members of the community not having come directly to Birmingham as refugees but via other European countries as European Union citizens. There is no accurate data regarding the size of the city’s Somali population, although community estimates indicate a population of some 40,000." 

I was delighted to host Empowered Young Women afternoon tea in Birmingham city to find out more about Adrian Jones report and also meet young people to hear their stories. After receiving help from the lovely Sagal abdi who is also International Citizen Service returned volunteer, we have decided to host the gathering at "Six Eight Kafe" around 12pm on saturday the 13th of June 2015. 
Six Eight Kafe is Independent coffee shop, voted one of the top 50 coffee shops in the UK by the Independent. (Oh I just love Independent Coffee shops. Join the fight against tax dodging, Corporate Tax dodging is unfair. David Cameroon lets off corporations tax dodging estimated £150 billion while concentrating on benefit fraud which is massive 0.7%  Oh Dear) I need to stop talking about David Cameroon and Tax dodging. Off -Topic ladan :/

On Saturday the 13th of June 2015 Young Somali women from London and Coventry made their way to Birmingham city to empower each other. Approximately 30 hard working, educated young women came to the gathering. The lovely Sagal Abdi shared her ICS journey and future plans with the girls. Munira Hussein also talked about mental health issues in the Somali community. We used Social Media such as Twitter and Instagram to share the day with the world. The girls loved the gathering, we discussed important issues, laughed and even shared tears.

If you are not on a mission to empower the women of the world, you should still be kind. It will show that, you respect all women and appriaciate them. Not Only are you settinga good example, you are showing the world that women can be power house but still sweetheart at the same time.

Check out the conversation on Twitter and Instagram  

"I feel honoured to speak at the Empowered Somali Women Event in Birmingham city discussing the issue 'mental health' with the girls.A huge thanks to Ladan Takow and Sagal Abdi for putting together an inspiring event" Munira 

"It was great to attend such an inspiring gathering of beautiful sisters and listen to the amazing stories. I hope other cities experience this gathering too" Kawsar

"I have met so many beautiful young girls Masha allah, loved it. Many more of these gathering to come" Amal Huessien.