Call for Participation: Workshop for Somali Young Feminist Climate Activists

Climate change is one of the most critical problems facing Somalia, along with other ever-lasting conflicts and political instability that the country has been going through for the last thirty years. Young women and girls have been disproportionately affected by climate change effects, such as repeated devastating droughts in Somalia, and they bear an unfair burden from these crises. Women and girls are not well included in the design and implementation of climate action strategies and responses. Despite deep gender disparities in Somalia, the few young feminist climate activists that come out to speak for themselves are facing challenges due to a lack of knowledge on advocacy and activism and limited collaboration among them to take an active and coordinated role in addressing climate change.

Women and girls can be powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation, and without their leadership, knowledge, and participation in climate change responses today, it is unlikely that solutions for a sustainable planet and an equal society for men and women will be found tomorrow.

Hawa Feminist Coalition, founded by young feminists all under the age of 35 in 2018 as the first feminist movement in Somalia, is going to hold a workshop for the emerging young feminist climate activists in Somalia. In this three-day workshop, the emerging young feminist climate activists will learn more about feminist advocacy and inter-generational activism, and this will be a safe place to meet each other, join their voices and actions, and share their thoughts on how to deal with climate change and their hopes for the future.

Therefore, if you are an emerging Somali young feminist climate activist based in Puntland, Somalia, whose age is under 30 and who is interested in learning more about feminist advocacy and inter-generational activism and forming partnerships and coordination with other colleagues in the same field, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

The workshop will be around on May 25-30, 2023 and will take place in Garowe, Puntland Somalia. Hawa Feminist Coalition will be able to pay the transportation and accommodation expenses of a few participants who are coming to the workshop from outside of Garowe, where training will be held. All other participants will be given a participation fee.

If you are interesting to join the workshop, please fill your information in the below form before May 25, 2023.

If you need any further information or assistance, please contact us: info@femsom.org or the project focal point Ms. Nadira Abdirahman Mohamud nadira@femsom.org, +252 907 532 164. Or send message to the office WhatsApp/ Phone +252 907 483 965.

Hawa Feminist Coalition advocates promotion of sex-disaggregated data in the event of commemoration of Open Data Day 2021

In commemoration of Open Data Day; an annual celebration event held all over the world in the first week of March in every year, Hawa Feminist Coalition organized an online event on March 6, 2021 via Zoom with agenda of advancing the production, dissemination and openness of sex-disaggregated data in Somalia.

The event was held in online due to COVID-19 restrictions, participated by 19 participants from UN, International NGOs and Local NGOs as well as independent activists. The participants had interactive discussions covering the data gaps, weaknesses and the need to strengthen sex-disaggregated data in Somalia for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by 2030.  

Shared Experiences, Gaps And Ideas Related To Sex-disaggregated Data In Somalia

Ms. Linda Mohamed from Hawa Feminist Coalition and also chairing the meeting presents short presentation highlighting how data segregated by gender is vital to evaluate the measures taken to narrow the gender gap. Ms. Mohamed also highlights how availability of segregated data could help to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls in Somalia.

Mr. Abdikhayr Hussein from Bareedo Platform, a local NGO that promotes participatory democracy presents the importance of open data and that openness of sex-disaggregated data is prerequisite to achieving gender equality in Somalia.

Ms. Anab Ali from Ministry of Women Affairs shows the participants about how sex-disaggregated data is significant to measuring the gender gap in education, political empowerment, health and survival, and economic participation in Somalia.

After short presentations, participants shared the following experiences, concerns and ideas that are related to sex-disaggregated data:-

  • Somalia is a country located on the horn of Africa, with a population of almost 14 million people. Although women and girls in Somalia consist of 50% of the country’s population, women and men are far from equal.
  • The gender inequality in Somalia is exacerbated by poverty, social class and harmful practices that violate the rights of women and girls. Today, women in Somalia are susceptible to gender-based violence and sexual violence, an issue that is heightened in areas of conflict.
  • The full adoption of sex-disaggregated data is less tapped in Somalia where gender equality is ranked fourth-lowest globally, maternal and infant mortality rates are also some of the highest in the world, and early marriage is prevalent.
  • Humanitarian sector shows progress on disaggregation of data by gender although it is still needs further improvements.
  • Major vital services or projects led by the government are yet to fully apply disaggregation of data by gender with less than 21% of government’s data shows some form of sex-disaggregation .
  • Private sector shows limited adoption of disaggregation of data by gender and some even see this to be less noteworthy.
  • There is incoherent collaboration between the government, private sector and civil society in adoption of disaggregation of data by gender.
Recommendations

In conclusion of the shared experiences, concerns and ideas that are related to sex-disaggregated data, participants suggest the following important recommendations in line with strengthening disaggregation  of data by gender in Somalia.

  • Government, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders need to work together toward adoption of disaggregation  of data by gender effectively to address gender inequality that remained highest globally in Somalia.
  • Partners and stakeholders engaged in gender equality or promotion of rights of women and girls should come up continues advocacy and follow up mechanisms to ensure successful take-up of sex-disaggregated data policies in government, private and civil society.
  • The production and openness of sex-disaggregated data need to be encouraged in the occasions of commemoration of International Women’s Day and other related events.
  • Particular forums, evens and talk shows should be organized to advocate, strengthen this matter among the different stakeholders and partners in Somalia.

This was an opportunity to show the benefits of open data and encourage the adoption of sex-disaggregated data policies in government, business and civil society.  We hope to keep the conversation going! 

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Further inquires, please contact:- Ms. Linda Said Mohamed Tell: +252 906 892740 Email: linda@femsom.org

Join us in promotion of sex-disaggregated data in the event of commemoration of Open Day 2021

Open Data Day is an annual celebration of open data all over the world. Groups from around the world create local events on the day where they will use open data in their communities. It is an opportunity to show the benefits of open data and encourage the adoption of open data policies in government, business and civil society.

Hawa Feminist Coalition plans to hold an online event to commemorate Open Day 2021 on March 6, 2021 at 10:00AM via Zoom. The agenda of the event is to advance the production, dissemination and openness of sex-disaggregation of development data in Somalia and will take place in online with participation of 21 participants and countless viewers who are expected to watch the event live at online platforms. The event will be included presentations that to be made by representatives from UN, International NGOs or Local NGOs.

The discussions will cover the data gaps, strengthens and the need to strengthen sex-disaggregated data for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by 2030. These will be followed by group discussions covering on how to use open data a) to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls everywhere, b) to measure the gender gap in education, political empowerment, health and survival, and economic participation and opportunity, and c) way-forwards to ensure open data is fully applied as a prerequisite to achieving gender equality in Somalia.

Hawa Feminist Coalition is highly appreciated and welcomes your participation to the meeting and register at this link: https://forms.gle/VRxmxMpL8tV2kE3N7. After registration, you will receive the participation details right to your email.

Looking forward to your participation to the #ODD2021 event!

CONGRATULATIONS! Our Sister Mariam Hussein participates in WOW’s International Day of the Girl 2020

Women of the World Foundations celebrates 2020’s International Day of the Girl and is bringing together 40 young activists from around the world to build a community and share knowledge. In this year, one of our members Ms. Mariam M Hussein is listed at WOW’s Young Leaders Directory and participates in the event.

Mariam is a feminist activist advocating for the safety, equality, justice, rights and dignity of young women and girls in Somalia where women bear an unequal brunt of hardships occasioned by poverty, conflict and clan-based culture which promotes strict male hierarchy and authority. Mariam is an active member of Hawa Feminist Coalition, young feminists movement in Somalia.

Mariam’s story together with other incredible young activists, leaders and campaigners. Check it out here: Young Leaders Directory│ Hashtags: #DayOfTheGirl, @WOWisGlobal