51吃瓜

Nationality: Somali American

Rakiya Abby-Farrah is a strong advocate for youth and women’s empowerment, global health, and climate justice in Africa. With a B.A. in International Relations and currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management at Columbia University, Rakiya is committed to leveraging her education and experiences to drive positive change on the continent. She has supported initiatives like UNFPA’s ‘Live Your Dream’ campaign in Uganda, which utilizes storytelling and intergenerational dialogues to inspire social change and mentor youth.

Additionally, she organized Uganda’s first eHealth Forum on Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (AYSRH) Information Access in 2017 to improve access for young people. Rakiya is also the Co-President of African Global Health Network, a student-led organization at Columbia University. She has over 4 years of international work experience with private sector foundations, UN and CSOs to promote youth and women empowerment. Through her involvement, Rakiya aims to amplify youth voices, promote innovation, and contribute to sustainable development across Africa.