01.04.22
- I have witnessed so much death and destruction and I wanted to spend my life making a difference to other people, says Negin Jaafar, gynaecologist at Aarhus University Hospital (photo: Tonny Foghmar).
At the age of 10, Negin Jaafar escaped a chemical attack in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. Today, she is a gynaecologist at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark.
Negin Jaafar was only 10 years old when she together with her family was in a chemical attack in the Kurdish town Halabja. This happened in 1988, and the following years she and her family were on a chaotic journey through different refugee camps before ending up in Denmark when Nagin was 13 years old.
She could not speak any Danish and started in a special class for non-Danish speaking pupils. Negin only had a few years to achieve the same academic level as her native Danish peers if she wanted to continue to upper secondary school. The Danish language was difficult, but Negin worked hard and spent all her spare-time improving – and she succeeded. Negin graduated and later started medical school.
Wanted to make a difference
Today, she works as a doctor at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aarhus University Hospital.
- I have witnessed so much death and destruction and I wanted to spend my life making a difference to other people, says Negin.
- Gynaecology is appealing to me because it includes medical, surgical, and acute work. And I just think the female body is fascinating.
Specialist in endometriosis
Negin is a part of the endometriosis team at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and she takes part in both diagnostics, surgery, and follow-up of patients with endometriosis.
- My work is very exciting, but as many others I lack time with my patients. I could use more hands – meaning nurses – and less bureaucracy.
- At the same time, I would like more time for development and research. Currently, I am taking a master’s degree in sexology, and I study in my spare-time and holidays.
Sexology on Facebook
Negin has been interested in sexology for many years. Since 2005, she has been on Kurdish television giving basic information on health promotion. In 2015, she started her own Facebook channel where she informs about sexology for Muslim men and women.
- My first video on virginity caused a shitstorm, and I am used to being threatened every day in letters and on Facebook because I interfere with the Middle Eastern code of honour. In my opinion, the code of honour is not located between the legs but has to do with our values. And somebody has to say it, Negin explains smiling.