Desert Flower

Waris Dirie, born in Somalia of nomadic parents, underwent extreme female circumcision at the age of five and ran away after being sold into marriage at 13. She became a fashion model in the USA, and on behalf of the UN gives lectures on women's rights in Africa. This is her autobiography.

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Waris Dirie, whose name means "desert flower", was born in Somalia of nomadic parents. She underwent extreme female circumcision at the age of five, and when she was 13 her father sold her into marriage with a 60-year-old for five camels, at which time she ran away. She was discovered by a fashion photographer in the United States whilst working as a janitor at McDonald's, and became a model who has been used to promote Revlon skin-care products. She also speaks on women's rights in Africa and travels the world to give lectures on behalf of the UN. This is her autobiography.