She is the founder of Dahlia project,[1][2] one of the co-founders of the Daughters of Eve non-profit organization and a Chief Executive of Hawa's Haven.

[5][6] The non-profit organization was established to help young women and girls, with a focus on providing education and raising awareness on FGM.

Following her pregnancy, she wanted to ensure the physical safety of her daughter and that inspired her to start campaigning to make a change on how girls globally are protected from all forms of harm.

[1] Additionally, Hussein is the Chief Executive of Hawa's Haven, a coalition of Somali women campaigners and community activists that aims to raise awareness on gender-based violence.

She was formerly an advisor for the END FGM-European campaign supported by Amnesty International, speaking in this capacity before the Cyprus, Vienna and London legislatures.

[3] Hussein was one of five protagonists in the documentary #Female Pleasure, directed by Swiss filmmaker Barbara Miller and premiered at Locarno Festival 2018.

[13] Hussein has faced criticism from student newspaper The Saint, which reported in October 2023 that as rector she had only visited St Andrews once and failed to attend 10 of the 12 meetings (including virtual) of the University Court.

[5] Hussein was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to tackling female genital mutilation and gender inequality.