– It was easy to quote Camilla Collett, who wrote in Paris in 1884 that “The women’s issue is a Mendeskehedens Sag”, the queen told the guests. On Women’s Day, the Queen wished to honor pioneering women. Lise Klaveness, Abida Raja and Gro Harlem Brundtland were among those invited to lunch at the castle today. Lise Klaveness together with Queen Sonja. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – They mean a lot to other women and to women’s opportunities. They have expanded other women’s space – and therefore also our shared space, says the queen. One of those who sat in the room when the Queen spoke was Safia Abdi Haase. Knight of the First Class – Celebrating Women’s Day here at the castle is a big deal. The fact that I am one of those invited to celebrate here means a lot to me, says Abdi Haase. Safia Abdi Haase sits around the table with, among others, Lise Klaveness, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Queen Sonja. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Safia Abdi Haase came to Norway as a quota refugee in 1992 together with her daughters. She has told her story several times; to the media, health personnel, politicians and volunteers. Not long ago to news, when she was appointed a knight of the first class in the Order of St. Olav. Safia together with her daughters and her friend in Kenya Photo: PRIVATE Safia’s fight is about violence against women. She is particularly concerned with women on the run and women in conflict areas. – Women like me, who have been thrown out of their countries, and have come to a foreign country and have to adapt, says Abdi Haase. – I also work with violence against women in close relationships, she claims. What may have been her life’s work is the fight against female genital mutilation. When she was nine years old, she was exposed to genital mutilation. It is among a number of abuses she has experienced. – I am actually an activist against female genital mutilation and violence against women, Abdi Haase tells news. – I am very lucky to have a project down in Somalia. I have had a four-year project there. It is because of those who support us, including NSF, she insists. Contribution to new law In 1995, she helped lay the foundations for a new law against female genital mutilation. Reconstruction of genital mutilation was now prohibited in the same way as the first operation. – If the abdomen is sewn back together, infections can easily occur, leading to poisoning. There are many Somali women who die because of it, she has previously told news. Safia Abdi Haase photographed by Amnesty. Photo: Amnesty She has won both the Amnesty award and the non-government award for her work. Today she says that she is happy at the lunch: – As a woman who is very vulnerable, and has been exposed to most of the violence, it means a lot to come to a country and be given such a high status. To accept St. Olav’s after having been violated my whole, that is big for me. There were many people gathered at the castle today. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – That I get to meet other women who are like me. Who are shareholders and fight for women’s rights, I look forward to it, she concludes.
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Queen Sonja invited leading women to lunch on 8 March – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
