Privacy Policy
Last Updated: 1/11/2026
1. Introduction
The Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) is committed to protecting the privacy, personal information, and rights of everyone who interacts with our website and programs.
As an organization dedicated to empowering women journalists, promoting gender equality, and advancing media freedom in Somalia, we recognize the importance of handling personal information responsibly and securely.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, contact us, register for our programs, or participate in our initiatives.
Our approach to personal information is guided by the Somalia Data Protection Act No. 005 (2023) and other applicable laws.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect personal information in the following ways:
A. Information You Provide
When you interact with SOMWA, you may voluntarily provide:
Full name and contact details.
Email address and telephone number.
Professional and employment information.
Journalism experience and media affiliation.
Location, region, or state of residence.
Information submitted through registration and application forms.
Messages, feedback, and enquiries.
Photographs, biographies, and other materials submitted for publication.
B. Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
IP address.
Browser type and device information.
Pages visited and time spent on the website.
Website usage and navigation information.
Cookies and similar technologies, subject to your preferences.
3. How We Use Your Information
SOMWA may use your information to:
Respond to enquiries and communication requests.
Register participants for programs, workshops, and training.
Support women journalists through professional development initiatives.
Manage the National Mapping and National Women Journalists Database initiatives.
Improve the visibility and representation of women journalists.
Conduct research, monitoring, and advocacy activities.
Share relevant organizational news, opportunities, and announcements.
Improve website performance, security, and user experience.
Meet applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
We only process personal information for specified and legitimate purposes.
4. National Mapping and Women Journalists Database
SOMWA’s National Mapping and Database initiative aims to establish a verified national picture of women journalists and strengthen their visibility, protection, and access to opportunities.
Information submitted through this initiative may include professional details, contact information, location, media affiliation, and other information relevant to the initiative.
Participation is consent-based. Where an anonymous registration option is offered, individuals may choose to participate without providing identifying information beyond what is necessary for the selected registration process.
Your privacy matters:
Information will be collected for clearly communicated purposes.
Access to identifiable registration information will be restricted to authorized personnel.
Personal profiles will not be made publicly accessible without an appropriate basis and, where required, your specific consent.
Information will not be shared with external parties for unrelated purposes without an appropriate lawful basis.
You may contact SOMWA to ask about accessing, correcting, or deleting your information, subject to applicable legal requirements.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
Depending on the circumstances, SOMWA may process personal information based on:
Your consent.
The need to provide a service or fulfill a request.
Legitimate organizational interests that do not override your rights.
Legal or regulatory obligations.
Other lawful grounds permitted under applicable data protection legislation.
Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw that consent, subject to applicable legal requirements.
6. Sharing Your Information
SOMWA does not sell personal information.
We may share information with:
Authorized SOMWA staff and project personnel.
Trusted technology, hosting, and website service providers.
Program implementation partners where sharing is necessary and lawful.
Relevant authorities where required by law.
Research or development partners using aggregated or anonymized information where appropriate.
We take reasonable steps to ensure that third parties handling personal information respect its confidentiality and use it only for authorized purposes.
7. Data Storage and Security
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against:
Unauthorized access.
Accidental loss or destruction.
Unauthorized disclosure.
Misuse, alteration, or theft.
Access to personal information is limited to authorized individuals who need it to perform their responsibilities.
Although we take reasonable security measures, no online platform or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
8. Data Retention
SOMWA retains personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, meet legal obligations, and support legitimate organizational activities.
When information is no longer required, we will take appropriate steps to securely delete, anonymize, or otherwise dispose of it.
Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and the relevant program.
9. International Data Transfers
Some of our website hosting, communication, or technology service providers may operate outside Somalia.
Where personal information is transferred internationally, SOMWA will take appropriate steps to ensure that the transfer is handled in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.
10. Your Privacy Rights
Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:
Request access to your personal information.
Request correction of inaccurate information.
Request deletion of your personal information.
Request restriction of certain processing activities.
Request transfer of your personal information where applicable.
Object to certain forms of processing.
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Raise concerns about how your information is handled.
To exercise these rights, please contact SOMWA using the contact details provided below.
11. Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to external websites, partner organizations, and other resources.
SOMWA is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of any external websites they visit.
12. Children’s Privacy
Our website and professional initiatives are primarily intended for adults.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without an appropriate legal basis and necessary safeguards. If you believe that a child has submitted personal information to us improperly, please contact us.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
SOMWA may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our activities, website functionality, or applicable legislation.
Any updates will be published on this page with a revised date.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact:
Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA)
Email: info@somwa.org
Website: www.somwa.org
Location: Maka Almukarama Road, Waberi, Mogadishu, Somalia
We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled with care, respect, and accountability.