Somali Media Women Association

19/03/2025

The Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA), is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of journalists Mohamed Abukar Dabashe and Ayub Wardhere, who lost their lives in yesterday’s devastating explosion in Mogadishu, which was targeted at Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy.
Their untimely deaths are a profound loss to the Somali media community and to the pursuit of truth and accountability in our country.

Mohamed and Ayub were dedicated journalists who courageously reported on critical issues, often in the face of immense risks. Their commitment to informing the public and amplifying the voices of the Somali people will never be forgotten.

SOMWA strongly condemns this act of violence and calls for urgent measures to ensure the safety and protection of journalists in Somalia.

We extend our deepest condolences to their families, colleagues, and the entire media fraternity. May Allah grant them Jannatul Firdaus and give their loved ones strength during this difficult time.

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un.

08/03/2025

On this International Women’s Day, the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) proudly joins the global community in celebrating the resilience, achievements, and contributions of women and girls everywhere.

Under this year’s theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.,” we reaffirm our commitment to advocating for gender equality, amplifying women’s voices in media, and ensuring their rightful place in leadership and decision-making.

In Somalia and beyond, women continue to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and lead change in their communities. Yet, they still face systemic challenges—discrimination, under-representation, and violence.

At SOMWA, we remain steadfast in our mission to empower women journalists, advocate for women’s political participation, and create a media landscape that reflects the diverse voices of our society.

This day is a call to action. We urge policymakers, media institutions, and communities to stand with us in advancing the rights of ALL women and girls. True progress can only be achieved when every woman, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive.

Let’s work together to build an inclusive, equitable future.
Happy International Women’s Day!

24/02/2025

As we close the year 2024, it is with immense pride and gratitude that we reflect on the progress the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) has made in our mission to empower women journalists and advocate for gender equality, media freedom, and inclusive governance in Somalia.

Without a doubt we had our challenges, but with resilience we continued our commitment to creating a more informed, democratic, and equal society by equipping journalists, particularly women, with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate Somalia’s challenging media landscape and advocating for gender equality within Somalia’s political sphere, especially focused on the minimum 30% quota of women's political participation.

Throughout 2024, we also marked several important international observances, including World Radio Day, International Democracy Day, World News Day, International Women’s Day, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and International Human Rights Day.

Thanks to our partners and supporters on this journey for their unwavering support.
United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia
IWMF
Global Forum for Media Development


The full report can be accessed here.
https://somwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/somwa-annual-report-2024.pdf

10/02/2025

Media, as we know, is one of the most powerful tools of influence in our society. It has the potential to amplify voices, challenge stereotypes, and foster dialogue.
However, it also possesses the capacity to perpetuate harmful narratives and silence marginalised groups. For Somali women seeking political inclusion, media serves as both a challenge and an opportunity.

With this realisation, the Somali Media Women Association , in partnership with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Somalia, brought diverse participants to address the Somali media's role in advancing women, peace, and security (WPS).

Full report: 👉🏾 https://shorturl.at/A7lkC

Recorded discussion. 👉🏾https://shorturl.at/wiQTF

07/02/2025

06/02/2025

SOMWA, in partnership with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Somalia, has conducted a workshop on ''Challenges Facing Journalists when Covering Women, Peace, and Security.''

Representatives from UN agencies, embassies, civil society organisations, and media outlets attended this high-profile workshop, which discussed a timely and profoundly important topic.

Mr. Carlsen Carsten, chargé d'affaires of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Somalia, who spoke at the opening of the event, emphasised the importance of fact-based journalists that the public can trust and who promote the WPS agenda, as it is a very serious discourse that needs media roles at this crucial time.

Speaking at the event's opening, the deputy minister of family and human rights, Hon. Hanaan Abdiasis Barre, stated that they recognised the numerous obstacles that journalists encounter, including security issues, societal bias, and institutional constraints that hinder gender-sensitive reporting. However, she reiterated that one cannot overstate the role of media in shaping the public narrative, amplifying women's voices, and holding stakeholders accountable.

Maryan, the executive director of SOMWA, who was representing the CSOs and spoke as a keynote speaker, stated that the impact of media on women's political participation in Somalia is not a profession for her but a deeply personal one: "It represents the aspirations and struggles of countless Somali women who wish to make their voices heard in shaping the future of our nation," said Seylac. However, for Somali women seeking political inclusion, media serves as both a challenge and an opportunity.

This 5th workshop is part of workshops that Norway organises on the WPS agenda, and SOMWA is pleased to partner with them on this timely and important topic.

20/12/2024

19/12/2024

The Somali Media Women Association strongly condemns the brutal assault on journalist Shukri Caabi of Risaala TV, Mogadishu, by officers of the National Intelligence and Security Agency
(NISA) on 17/12/2024.

Shukri Caabi and her cameraman were covering a demonstration where families were peacefully protesting against the government's destruction of their properties in Mogadishu, which the government claimed belonged to them and should be returned.

During their reporting at the famous Daljirka Dahsoon in the Boondheere district, Shukri was attacked by three plainclothes officers, who used a pistol and a strong stick to beat her.

Two additional officers arrived by car and joined the assault, resulting in five male officers violently attacking one female journalist. Shukri sustained visible bruises from the attack.

Further details about her attack and warning images are provided below.

https://shorturl.at/XeKxq

18/12/2024

Somali Media Women Association with the support of the International Women Media Foundation
IWMF has held one of two sessions of virtual identity-informed newsroom training for Somali female journalists.

Somali journalists work in one of the world's most dangerous countries to work as journalists, and female journalists face double the burden.

This session, which was facilitated by well-experienced security personnel, was focused on the physical safety of female journalists from leaving their homes while collecting news and situational awareness at checkpoints for possible crossfires and su***de bombs.

40 female journalists who are participating in this training stated this is timely and one of the most useful trainings they ever got.




CPJ Africa - Committee to Protect Journalists

Reporters Without Borders (RSF USA)

10/12/2024

Today, on International Human Rights Day, we stand united under the theme, *Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now*. This powerful slogan emphasises the urgent need for action to uphold human rights as the cornerstone of a just and equitable future. For Somali women, however, this vision remains far from reality, as they continue to face systemic exclusion from meaningful political participation.

This year has witnessed the denial of women politicians' political participation and the emergence of a male-dominated cabinet, with only two women appointed out of 24 ministries.

Full report 👇🏾
https://somwa.org/marking-international-human-rights-day-with-an-urgent-call-for-equality/

HomeNEWSMarking International Human Rights Day with an urgent call for equality. NEWSWOMEN IN MEDIA Marking International Human Rights Day with an urgent call for equality. By admin 10th December 2024 0 16 Share FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Today, on International Human Rights Day, we join aroun...

25/11/2024

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) reshares its annual Women's Press Freedom Report for 2023-2024, highlighting disturbing statistics of gender-based violence faced by women journalists in Somalia.

The report underscores the urgent need to address this issue and calls for stronger protective measures, including the implementation of laws that ensure the safety and security of female journalists and women in the media.

As we observe this important day, SOMWA reaffirms its commitment to advocating for an end to gendered violence and for a safer environment for women in Somalia.
https://somwa.org/somwa-report-womens-press-freedom-in-somalia/

This year 2024 has seen the worst violations against women journalists in Somalia. We documented 11 cases of assassination, physical attack, detention, restriction, sexual violence, online bullying, and harassment against female journalists.

We are concerned about the persistence culture of impunity surrounding attacks against journalists.

We pay tribute to our colleagues who we lost this year, including Amaan Abdullahi, who was assassinated in her farmhouse in Afgoye, and call on accountability and demand that those responsible for the violations and abuse against journalists are brought to justice.

On this , we present the Women's Press Freedom in Somalia report.👇🏾

https://somwa.org/somwa-report-womens-press-freedom-in-somalia/

18/11/2024

We, the undersigned organisations, strongly condemn the recent wave of organised cyberattacks targeting Somali journalists, bloggers, public figures, and government officials who use the
Facebook platform.

These attacks happened between late October and mid-November and are still counting and have claimed over 32 profiles and pages, of which the majority have yet to recover.

This joint press release calls on Meta to thoroughly investigate these attacks and take action on the accounts that are still unaccessible.

Full statement 👇🏾
https://somwa.org/joint-press-release-somali-media-organizations-condemn-coordinated-cyberattacks-against-facebook-accounts-of-journalists-public-figures-and-government-officials/

11/11/2024

The article about The Somali Media Women Association's media transformation in Somalia, which focuses on fact-based reporting as a pillar for peacebuilding and increases women's media representation through capacity building, is worth reading.
In her interview with Kemiso of African Journalism Education Network, Maryan Seylac, SOMWA's executive director, said:.

“We need journalism education that equips students not only with technical skills but also with a strong ethical foundation,” Seylac emphasised. Despite the progress, she remains concerned about the impact of digital influences and social media pressures, which can dilute the journalistic standards that Somali media desperately needs.

The article 👇🏾
https://ajenafrica.com/somali-media-women-association-on-transforming-the-media-landscape/

Somali Media Women Association on transforming the media landscape by Ajen admin | Nov 10, 2024 | articles | 0 comments By Kemiso Wessie In Somalia, where media has historically been influenced by patriarchal norms and war, the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) is a unique force for change. Mar...

02/11/2024

This year 2024 has seen the worst violations against women journalists in Somalia. We documented 11 cases of assassination, physical attack, detention, restriction, sexual violence, online bullying, and harassment against female journalists.

We are concerned about the persistence culture of impunity surrounding attacks against journalists.

We pay tribute to our colleagues who we lost this year, including Amaan Abdullahi, who was assassinated in her farmhouse in Afgoye, and call on accountability and demand that those responsible for the violations and abuse against journalists are brought to justice.

On this , we present the Women's Press Freedom in Somalia report.👇🏾

https://somwa.org/somwa-report-womens-press-freedom-in-somalia/

11/10/2024

Girls have dreams and vision. Allowing them to study free from discrimination and gender-based violence will allow them to pursue their dreams.



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29/09/2024

As we commemorated World News Day this week, SOMWA celebrated with a panel discussion that centred on the significance of fact-based journalism in Somalia, a country where fact-based journalism has been largely replaced by disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda-based media.

This discussion contains a call to Somalia's authorities to access information for the media. The link below is a summary of the insightful conversation.👇🏾

Full report👉🏾https://shorturl.at/pMpoN