Hudur, Somalia- The primary objective of the three-day “Empowering Women in Politics through Communications and Social Media Skills” workshop in Hudur, Somalia, was to equip women in politics with essential communication and social media skills. This initiative aimed to encourage women to vote, become candidates, and engage as electoral staff.
The primary objective of the three-day Empowering Women in Politics through Communications and Social Media Skills workshop in Hudur, Somalia, was to equip women in politics with essential communication and social media skills, thereby encouraging them to vote, become candidates, and become electoral staff.
Twenty-five current and aspiring female politicians, including those from minority and marginalised groups, attended the workshop.
Workshop Topics Covered:
Day 1: Understanding Effective Political Communication
- Communication in Politics: An Introduction to the Role of Communication in Political Discourse, Emphasising the Importance of Clear Messaging, Audience Understanding, and Effective Communication Strategies.
- Building Narratives: Techniques for crafting compelling narratives that effectively communicate political messages and resonate with target audiences.
Day 2: Leveraging Social Media for Political Engagement
- Use of Social Media in Somalia: An Overview of Social Media Platforms Commonly Used in Somalia and Strategies for Identifying and Engaging Target Audiences.
- Social Media as a Platform for Social or Political Activism in Somalia: Exploration of the Role of Social Media in Facilitating Social and Political Activism, including Case Studies and Best Practices.
- The majority of day two consisted of experience-sharing sessions where women politicians could reflect and learn from each other on communication strategies for political campaigns, particularly those who had benefited from previous communication workshops.
Day 3: Ensuring Online Safety and Combating Hate Speech
- Basics of Online Safety: An Introduction to Essential Online Safety Practices, including Password Security, Privacy Settings, and Recognising Online Threats.
- Preventing Hate Speech: Discussion on the impact of hate speech in political discourse and strategies for preventing its dissemination.
- Dealing with Hate Speech: Techniques for responding to and countering hate speech in a constructive and responsible manner, emphasising dialogue, education, and community-building.
Closing Ceremony: Maryan Seylac, SOMWA Executive Director, spoke at the closing event, highlighting that social media provides unprecedented opportunities for politicians and citizens to engage in meaningful dialogue through two-way interaction. She encouraged female politicians to seize these opportunities to become better candidates.
The Deputy District Commissioner, Ali Husein, attended the closing ceremony and advised women politicians to take advantage of the opportunities that digital platforms, including social media, offer to amplify their work, especially during election times.
Abdulahi Mohamed Nur, Deputy Governor, who closed the workshop, encouraged the participants to apply their newfound skills and knowledge in their political campaigns, advocacy efforts, and community outreach activities.
Conclusion: The “Empowering Women in Politics through Communications and Social Media Skills” workshop in Hudur, Somalia, served as a catalyst for empowering women in politics to effectively communicate their messages, engage with their communities, and navigate the digital landscape safely and responsibly. By investing in the capacity building of women leaders, we contribute to the advancement of democracy, gender equality, and inclusive governance in Somalia.
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