At Somali Women and Youth Concern (SWYC), we recognize that empowering a community begins with empowering its women and youth. Our programs are designed to address critical issues like gender-based violence (GBV), lack of political representation, and illiteracy, creating a more informed and capable generation of female leaders.
Strengthening Protection for GBV Survivors
From July 2014 to June 2015, SWYC, in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), implemented the “Integrated Emergency Response in Somalia: Vocational Skills Training for GBV survivors” project. This vital initiative provided vocational training skills to 85 GBV survivors to help them attain livelihoods, offer financial support, and aid in their rehabilitation.
Testimonials from survivors highlight the life-changing impact of these programs. For example, a woman named Sahara Ali, a survivor of physical and economic domestic abuse, received tailoring training from SWYC. She stated that the support helped her set up a shop with other girls, allowing her to earn enough for her family’s upkeep and live a respectable life free of abuse. Similarly, a group of domestic abuse survivors who received six months of cooking training were able to set up a successful hotel, earning a decent living for their families.
In addition to vocational training, from April to July 2015, 50 beneficiaries were reached in a project focused on “Strengthening local, improving the quality of Comprehensive Protection services for GBV Survivors & Vulnerable Children”. This work trained local actors, community leaders, and law enforcement in comprehensive case management and capacity to respond to GBV cases.
Advancing Women’s Political Participation
SWYC is committed to increasing the active political participation of women in Somalia. Over the course of 10 months (August 2014 to May 2015), the organization, in partnership with FAWESOM, trained 240 beneficiaries on leadership skills and women political participation. Furthermore, a Women’s Political Participation Training Workshop was held in October 2019, which addressed the low representation of women in local leadership. The Deputy Minister of the Puntland State Government’s Ministry of Women Development and Family Affairs, Mrs. Farhiya Yussuf Hersi, addressed the aspiring women leaders at the SWYC Conference Hall.
Community Awareness and Psycho-Social Support
To ensure a holistic approach to protection and empowerment, SWYC has also focused on:
- FGM/GBV Awareness: 150 women were targeted in a year-long program (Jan-Dec 2015) in partnership with the Ministry of Women Development and Family Affairs (MOWDAFA) on a “Community Awareness Program on Prevention, Mitigation of GBV/FGM”. Not less than 50 community members were trained to identify, mitigate, and protect against FGM and GBV cases.
- Psycho-Social Counseling: Nearly 600 youth and women received psycho-social counseling on various issues affecting them through monthly sessions.
- Non-Formal Education: To address illiteracy and female enrollment, SWYC offered non-formal education for girls who had passed the regular school-going age. Graduates of the Alternative Basic Education (ABE) class were then enrolled in local schools to continue their education.
These diverse programs underscore SWYC’s dedication to tackling the multi-faceted challenges faced by women and youth, moving them toward independence, safety, and leadership.
