Women are Breaking Barriers and Protecting the Environment in Somalia

Mar 10, 2022 | Claudia Rosel
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Women continue to play an important role in peacebuilding processes in Somalia. Their ability to cross inter-communal boundaries and unite people from different clans gives them an edge, if given a chance, to be effective agents of change in their communities. In Xerale, a small district in Galmudug State, a group of local women are paving the way to advance their rights while protecting the environment. Under the leadership of Khadija, a herder and chairperson of the women´s group, women are working together to bolster their representation in decision-making processes and raise awareness of domestic violence, female genital mutilation, and environmental issues. But this essential work has faced obstacles due to social norms that undermine women’s participation in leadership in Somalia. “Women bear an unequal brunt of the hardships induced by poverty, conflict, and climate change,” said Aminanimo Abdirahman, International Organization for Migration (IOM). “Traditionally, Somali society promotes male hierarchy and authority, which marginalizes women from taking part in decisions affecting their lives.”