Trains 50 Emerging Young Feminist Activist on Feminist Advocacy and Intergenerational Activism in Somalia

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.

In response to this, Hawa Feminist Coalition held a training for 50 emerging young feminist activists from across Somalia and taught them more about feminist advocacy and intergenerational activism, as well as giving them a safe place to meet each other, joining their voices and actions, and sharing their thoughts on how to deal with climate change and their hopes for the future.

During the workshop, participants learned about the impact of climate change on women’s lives and livelihoods and explored feminist approaches to climate action, including the specific impact of climate change on women in Somalia, including its effects on health, livelihoods, and security. They also learned about the importance of feminist approaches to climate action, which recognize the unequal impact of climate change on women and seek to address these inequalities through inclusive and gender-sensitive policies and programs.

The workshop included a range of activities, including presentations, group discussions, and case studies. Participants learned about the importance of advocacy and policy-making in promoting gender-sensitive climate policies and built their skills in public speaking and movement building. The workshop also provided an opportunity for participants to network and connect with other young feminist climate activists from across Somalia. They shared their experiences and ideas and built a sense of community and solidarity around the issues of climate change and feminist issues.

These young feminist climate activists learned about feminist advocacy and intergenerational activism and formed partnerships and coordination among themselves. They are now able to lead the conversation about climate change, raise awareness, and encourage others to act.

The workshop ended with a call to action for participants to take their newfound knowledge and skills back to their communities and advocate for policies and programs that promote gender equality and environmental resilience. And record videos to share through social media platforms and reach thousands of people online.

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.

Engaging and building capacity, collaboration with young activists in Garowe

Mariam M. Hussein, a co-founder and member of Hawa Feminist Coalition provides brief training for some young activists in Garowe. Ms. Hussein met handful young activists; young women and men in Garowe who advocate range of issues – from youth rights to girls education in Garowe where she shared organizing, advocacy techniques and importance of collective actions.

These young activists who have been curious to learn new skills and experience to further their activism capacity have had a opportunity to discuss the power of collective actions and possible collaboration with Hawa Feminist Coalition in some common shared matters such as youth rights, GBV and improvement of girls rights in Puntland, Somalia.

This has been fruitful session that opened new opportunities and collaborations for these young activists who have firm commitment to pursuing a change. Furthermore, these young activists and Hawa Feminist Coalition will have collaboration on common shared matters such as advocating for girls rights and will also have information and knowledge exchange as well as initiating collective actions in the future.

Ms. Hussein together with other members of Hawa Feminist Coalition is going to approach and engage young activists in the path of promoting the safety, justice and dignity of young women and girls in Somalia.