ICELAND / REFUGEE INFLUENCER

Najmo, a Somalian refugee in Iceland, runs a YouTube-channel that advocates women’s rights, especially for Somalian young girls and women. UNHCR

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:12
• Production Date: 9 November 2018
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: GIRLS; REFUGEES; WOMEN'S RIGHTS; YOUTH
• Geographic Subject: ICELAND; SOMALIA
• MAMS Id: 2305309
• Parent Id: 2305309
• Alternate Title: unifeed181109c

Description

STORY: ICELAND / REFUGEE INFLUENCER
TRT: 2:12
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTION: PLEASE CREDIT UNHCR ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 17 MAY 2018, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Shotlist

1. Various shots, Icelantic views
2. Wide shot, Najmo at home
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Najmo, Somalian Refugee in Iceland:
“And I do sometimes just look at them and say: we’re not the same colour, we’re not the same country, we’re not even the same religion, but we’re still family and take care of each other and love each other. And I do ask myself, why can’t the world be exactly as we are here in this family?”
4. Various shots, Najmo cooking with her foster family
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Najmo, Somalian Refugee in Iceland:
“Social media is powerful, and I can spread my message all the way to the countryside in Somalia. Someone who is with camels and sheep can just open up their Facebook and watch me and get some ideas.”
6. Wide shot, Najmo with a crowd
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Najmo, Somalian Refugee in Iceland:
“The videos I do is to inspire young people in general, especially to empower women. Because Somalian women have no right to speak and society look down on women. And I want to show Somalian society that they are wrong. I want Somalian women to learn and to study and to stand up for her rights, so we can help girls back in Somalia. But I’m saying if everybody is scared and everybody stay silent, this will go on. We need some people to stand up and to sacrifice and to state the truth.”
8. Various shots, Najmo setting up her home studio

Storyline

Najmo, a Somalian refugee in Iceland, runs a YouTube-channel that advocates women’s rights, especially for Somalian young girls and women.

Najmo was only 13 when she escaped an arranged marriage in Somalia.

Alone, she journeyed through the Sahara before eventually reaching the coast in Libya. She crossed the Mediterranean to Malta where she spent almost two years. On route to Canada she landed in Iceland where she was upheld by immigration.

It took her almost three years to reach Iceland. She was given a new home with an Icelandic family.

SOUNDBITE (English) Najmo, Somalian Refugee in Iceland:
“And I do sometimes just look at them and say: we’re not the same colour, we’re not the same country, we’re not even the same religion, but we’re still family and take care of each other and love each other. And I do ask myself, why can’t the world be exactly as we are here in this family?”

Now finishing high school in Iceland, Najmo uses social media to inspire girls across the world.

SOUNDBITE (English) Najmo, Somalian Refugee in Iceland:
“Social media is powerful, and I can spread my message all the way to the countryside in Somalia. Someone who is with camels and sheep can just open up their Facebook and watch me and get some ideas.”

SOUNDBITE (English) Najmo, Somalian Refugee in Iceland:
“The videos I do is to inspire young people in general, especially to empower women. Because Somalian women have no right to speak and society look down on women. And I want to show Somalian society that they are wrong. I want Somalian women to learn and to study and to stand up for her rights, so we can help girls back in Somalia. But I’m saying if everybody is scared and everybody stay silent, this will go on. We need some people to stand up and to sacrifice and to state the truth.”