Growing Momentum for Women's Leadership in Somalia's Peace Efforts

June 2024

“When men are in conflict, they avoid women, but we try our best to reconcile the two sides in the conflict, calm the situation, and remind them that we are their spouses, sisters, wives, and that we are in the situation together. We meet with the elders and try to figure out what brought the conflict. At first, they don’t want our mediation efforts, but we persist, and they agree to meet with us,” said Dahaba Adan Mohamud.

Dahaba?is the Chairperson of the women’s network in Dhusamareb, Galmudug, one of 17 women’s peace networks across Somalia supported by a project funded by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). Her story illuminates the unique role women can play in bridging divisions and fostering dialogue within the clan system.

In Somalia, a project funded by the PBF has supported women to amplify their voices and influence in conflict resolution alongside clan elders, advocating for better protection for women. This initiative has already begun to shift negative social norms, evidenced by a 10 percent increase since 2022 in perception survey respondents who believe that women should be in leadership positions in peace processes.

Over the past two decades, Somalia has been ravaged by a brutal civil war, an alarming rise in violent extremism, and a devastating humanitarian crisis that have collectively eroded social unity and harmony. Deep-seated clan grievances remain a significant barrier to strengthening the country’s federal structures. The conflict has displaced more than 3.8 million people, with women and children – comprising 80 percent of the displaced population – facing severe risks, including gender-based violence and sexual exploitation.

^{Photo Credit: UNDP Somalia}

Dahaba Adan Mohamud recounts one of the most challenging cases her network has faced: a deadly conflict and cycle of revenge killings between two sub-clans over grazing lands that spanned five years. “We brought the women from both sides of the conflict together and encouraged them to join hands with us to end the dispute. They agreed and we mobilized resources, including hiring loudspeakers and vehicles. We helped peaceful demonstrations. All the women in the area joined us – about 500 women. We finally got the attention of the elders, and they came to us – asking what we want. We presented our demands – that they should stop fighting and shedding blood and killing. The two warring parties surrendered their weapons. The elders now recognize us, and we have acquired a seat at the table among the elders – through our persistence and constant reconciliation efforts in Galmudug.”

Her vision - “We would like to spread our peace and reconciliation efforts across Somalia” – is gradually becoming a reality.

Somali women are largely marginalized from critical peacebuilding, reconciliation, and decision-making processes in a society dominated by male-centric clan dynamics. To address this imbalance and enhance the role of women in peace and security, the Federal Government of Somalia launched the Somali National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the Somali Women’s Charter and United nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on September 5, 2022. This initiative aims to ensure the inclusion and participation of Somali women in peacebuilding and decision-making at all levels. ?

^{Photo Credit: UNDP Somalia}

The Women, Peace, and Protection Joint Programme of UNDP and UN Women in partnership with the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (), funded by the PBF with $5 Million, supports the implementation of the NAP. It has also fostered the development and execution of related Local Action Plans (LAP) in Puntland, Southwest, Galmudug, Jubaland and Hirshabelle States, as well as Banadir.

The project has enabled the establishment of women’s networks in 17 districts, comprising around 250 women leaders from various sectors, including civil society. Each network includes about 15 women community leaders from diverse backgrounds who monitor and support referrals for victims of gender-based violence and collaborate with traditional elders and peace committees to resolve conflicts.? Through the joint programme, 300 Women leaders, local counsellors, police and military and CSOs (50 from each of the Federal Member States and Banadir) were trained on early warning to prevent conflict and sexual and gender-based violence.

^{Photo Credit: UN Women Somalia.?}^{Women Networks Training in Johar, Hirshabelle.}

To enhance women’s representation at the highest political level, the project supported the establishment of Women Parliamentary Caucuses and trained their members, including women parliamentarians in the national parliament and the parliaments of the Federal Member States, except Jubaland. Cross-border exchanges were also organized for the women caucuses, e.g., through study visits to Rwanda to gain perspective on gender parity in Parliament. These caucuses aim to increase women's impact on political decisions by providing the peer support necessary to promote a gender equality legislative and policy agenda. For instance, they ensure that women can voice their views during the ongoing constitutional review process in Somalia.

^{Photo Credit: UN Women Somalia.?}^{Parliamentary Women Caucus Study Visit to Rwanda.}

To maximize the influence of these caucuses, the UN launched the ‘Somalia Women Members of Parliament/UN Leadership Forum’, which provides a platform for senior women Members of Parliament to discuss priorities and support requirements for women’s enhanced participation in decision-making at all levels. Among them is the critical goal of increasing women’s participation and influence in high-level political forums, and advocating for the implementation of Somalia’s commitments for a 30 percent quota of women in Parliament.

The project has also proven to be a catalyst, attracting an additional $1.6 Million from the Governments of Sweden and Germany. Other countries have also expressed interest in backing the continuation and expansion of the critical support to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

Perception survey data collected by a third-party monitoring mechanism indicates that this programme supports incremental change in perceptions. Between 2022 and 2023, the overall percentage of respondents who believe that women have the skills and knowledge to participate in peacebuilding increased from 46 to 54 percent. During the same period, the percentage of respondents who believe that women should be in leadership positions for peace processes increased from 61 to 71 percent, with the highest increase observed in Dhusamareb, from 55 to 75 percent.

The incremental shifts in perception and the tangible progress made by these women’s networks underscore a powerful message: in Somalia, the path to lasting peace is being paved by the resilience and determination of its women.

^{Photo Credit: UN Women Somalia.?}^{Women discussing Early Warning System on WPS issues.}

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