Thursday, September 1, 2016
Safiyo Jama Gayre graduated from Puntland State University with a law degree at the age of 60.
GAROWE (HOL) - 60 year-old Safiyo Jama Gayre has graduated from Puntland State University in Somalia – making history as the institution’s oldest female graduate.
She told the BBC Somali Service she went to study law – and Sharia – in order to help victims of rape and other issues affecting women.
In divorce settlements, it is usually the man who gets everything – but she says her studies showed that this was wrong. I found no place in our religion to hurt or harm women – therefore this culture must end.”
She joked that she was the butt of friendly jokes from her younger classmates during her four-year program, who affectionately referred to her as “grandma”.
Just as witty, Safiyo retorted “But, guess what, I was the first student to submit my thesis.”