Waris Dirie (Somali: Waris Diiriye, Arabic: واريس ديري ) (born in 1965) is a Somali model, author, actress and social activist. From 1997 to 2003, she served as a UN Special Ambassador. Read full biography of Waris Dirie →
I love life. I wish I could live another 500 years, truly. There is so much to do. I don't feel bitter or angry or disappointed. If anything, I... →
Female genital mutilation targets little girls, baby girls - fragile angels who are helpless, who cannot fight back. It's a crime against a... →
I can enjoy anywhere, and I can leave it. Life is about moving on.
If you can survive in the desert, you survive anywhere. I know more than anything life in desert. You can tell by looking at the dirt how long ago it... →
Every day, women move mountains. It is an insult to have an international women's day.
I've never been one to stay still. I was born a nomad, and I still am a nomad and always will be.
I love the truth. Tell the truth and live the truth, because we've seen enough lies and look what it's doing.
Brooklyn's good. Brooklyn's funky. Brooklyn's happening.
Personal style? I don't really believe in that. Whatever is comfortable.
Sometimes I wonder where I am from. I am either way ahead or I come from another world. I don't recognise this world.
I still do find it very difficult in the West to connect to this politeness of smiling, not saying how you're thinking or not saying how you... →
Because women and girls are not valued equally as human beings, they are treated as less than such. Female genital mutilation is one example of this... →
I belong nowhere and to no one.
Waris Dirie (Somali: Waris Diiriye, Arabic: واريس ديري ) (born in 1965) is a Somali model, author, actress and social activist. From 1997 to 2003, she served as a UN Special Ambassador.