From July 14–15, 2025, Hawa Feminist Coalition successfully conducted a two-day Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) training in Galkacyo, empowering 30 young women volunteers to deliver community-based psychosocial care and trauma support for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) across drought-affected regions of Somalia.
The majority of participants were drawn from drought-displaced communities, including GBV survivors who are uniquely positioned to support their peers in healing from the deep emotional wounds caused by conflict, displacement, and the growing impacts of climate change.
This training formed part of Hawa Feminist Coalition’s ongoing project funded by the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition (LDYC), which aims to strengthen grassroots mental health responses and build a feminist-led network of trained volunteers addressing the psychological impacts of Somalia’s climate and humanitarian crises.
Over the two intensive days, participants explored key topics such as:
- Understanding trauma, stress, and mental health in crisis contexts;
- Providing psychological first aid (PFA) and survivor-centered care;
- Effective communication, empathy, and active listening;
- Coping mechanisms and resilience for both survivors and caregivers;
- Community awareness and advocacy to challenge stigma and GBV.
Facilitated by an experienced MHPSS expert, the training used a participatory, experience-sharing approach, encouraging open dialogue, group exercises, and role-play. This helped participants gain not only knowledge but also the confidence to apply their skills within their own communities.
Creating Networks of Solidarity and Action
During the training, participants established both digital and community-based support networks to sustain their collaboration beyond the classroom. A WhatsApp platform, “MHPSS Group Galkacyo,” was created to facilitate peer-to-peer learning, exchange of experiences, and continuous coordination.
Additionally, the volunteers formed 10 grassroots working groups across key displacement settlements:
- Halobooqad IDP Settlement (2 groups)
- Madina IDP Settlement (2 groups)
- Buulo Bacley IDP Camp (2 groups)
- Tawakal IDP Camp (2 groups)
- Host Communities (2 groups)
These groups will serve as localized hubs for mental health awareness, psychosocial first aid, and community healing activities.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ms. Nadira A. Mohamud, Climate Justice Program Officer of Hawa Feminist Coalition, commended the participants for their dedication:
“This training is not just about learning new skills—it’s about transforming pain into purpose. These young women are now equipped to bring hope and resilience to communities that have endured unimaginable hardship.”
At the close of the training, participants received Certificates of Completion, acknowledging their successful participation and readiness to serve as frontline psychosocial support providers in their communities.
The Galkacyo session marked the third and final phase of Hawa Feminist Coalition’s MHPSS capacity-building series, following earlier sessions in Garowe, Laascaanood and Badhan. Altogether, the program has trained 100 young women volunteers and supported the creation of 22 grassroots MHPSS groups, now providing psychosocial care to over 40,500 GBV survivors across Somalia.
Hawa Feminist Coalition and the participants extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition (LDYC) for funding this transformative initiative and for their unwavering support to communities most affected by the climate crisis in Somalia—one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world.
#MentalHealth #WomenEmpowerment #FeministLeadership #Somalia #GBVPrevention #HawaFeministCoalition #LDYC #ClimateJustice
