005: Desert Rose 2022

Waris Dirie's life story is characterized by resilience, beauty, and strength in the face of adversity. Her experiences as a child, including the trauma of female genital mutilation, left her with scars that she carried with her throughout her life. But like the bleeding rose, Waris refused to be defined by her scars. Instead, she embraced her unique beauty and used it to become one of the most successful models of her generation.


In her activism against FGM, Waris has continued to embody the spirit of the bleeding rose. Despite the pain and trauma she has experienced, she has refused to be silenced, speaking out against the practice and fighting for the rights of women and girls around the world. Through her work with the Desert Flower Foundation, she has provided support and hope to countless victims of FGM, inspiring them to embrace their own unique beauty and to stand up against injustice. Like the bleeding rose, Waris Dirie's life story is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit.