Elmi is married to Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid, a prominent entrepreneur and the former Prime Minister of Somalia.

[2] In the 2000s, Elmi formed the Sixth Clan women's movement to advance female participation in Somali politics.

[4][5] Additionally, Asha has been acknowledged internationally for her activism against female circumcision (FGC) in Somalia and in other areas.

She frequently travels to college campuses and universities around the world giving speeches about local political conditions and the effects of FGC.

In 2008, she became a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award "for continuing to lead at great personal risk the female participation in the peace and reconciliation process in her war-ravaged country".