Mogadishu, Somalia – SOMWA Executive Director Maryan Seylac joined a high-level hybrid event and panel discussion on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF-GBV), held under the global theme “Safe Spaces, Strong Voices: A Conversation on Technology-Facilitated GBV.”
The event brought together government representatives, diplomats, UN agencies, digital platforms, journalists, and civil society leaders to address rising online harms, including harassment, cyberstalking, deepfakes, coordinated smear campaigns, and digital surveillance targeting Somali women.
SOMWA Calls for Accountability and Long-Term Digital Safety Support
Speaking on the panel, Maryan Seylac stressed the urgent need for stronger protections across social media platforms:
“When women feel unsafe online, they also feel unsafe offline.”
She called on Meta to create faster and more transparent escalation channels for verified civil society organisations, and she urged the UN and donors to invest in long-term digital safety programs for Somali women journalists, activists, and public figures— beyond short-term project cycles.
Canada: Digital Safety Is a Priority
Opening the event, the Canadian Ambassador to Somalia, Hon. Joshua Tabah, emphasised:
“Technology companies have a responsibility to prevent online violations. We need swift and effective mechanisms to ensure women can safely and fully participate in public life. Canada places a strong priority on digital safety.”
Norway: Online Abuse Silences Women and Threatens Democracy
H.E. Merete Dyrud, Chargé d’Affaires of the Norwegian Embassy in Somalia, warned:
“Online abuses against women do not happen in a vacuum. Hateful comments chip away at a woman’s safety, dignity, and her right to participate in society. When women are threatened into silence, we all lose and injustice wins.”
She urged collective action between government, tech platforms, and civil society to build a zero-tolerance culture toward digital violence.
UN Women Somalia: TF-GBV Is a Good Governance and Democracy Issue
Dr. Rukaya Mohammedy, Country Programme Manager for UN Women Somalia, explained:
“The message behind these attacks is consistent: women do not belong in public life.”
“Technology-facilitated violence is no longer a marginal issue. It is a direct threat to women’s participation, freedom of expression, and leadership.”
She highlighted that digital platforms present major opportunities for Somali women—but without proper protection, many face sustained harassment, coordinated attacks, and targeted threats.
Meta: Strong Policies Exist, But Real Harm Is Happening
Representing Meta, Sylvia Musalagani, Head of Safety Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye (AMET), acknowledged the severity of technology-facilitated abuse:
She stated that Meta has strong policies designed to protect women and girls but expressed deep concern after hearing firsthand testimonies from Somali women affected by online violations, including:
- MP Adar, whose stolen phone led to the misuse of her private photos;
- Somali social media influencer who regularly faces harassment and death threats;
- Maryan Seylac, whose Facebook profile and SOMWA’s organisational page were attacked—with the page being disabled for 10 days.
Musalagani reaffirmed Meta’s commitment to strengthening safety tools and improving response mechanisms in Somalia.
Somali Government: “Digital Violence Is Real Violence”
Mohamed Bashir, Director General of the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, declared:
“Digital violence is real violence. It harms dignity, mental well-being, personal security, livelihoods, and participation. It pushes women out of public spaces and constrains freedom of expression.”
He outlined three national priorities:
- The first priority is to protect and support women in public life, including politicians, candidates, journalists, and advocates.
- Stronger coordination and accountability, with clarity on regulatory gaps and better collaboration with digital platforms.
- Ensuring safe participation is crucial to enable women and girls to engage both online and offline without fear.
Ministry of Information: Protecting Women Online Is a Moral Responsibility
Abdishakur Ali Ahmed, Director of Strategic Communication at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, added:
“Protecting women online is not just a legal obligation; it is a moral responsibility. No woman should be silenced or threatened simply for raising her voice or participating in public life.”
He stressed that a safe digital environment is essential for equality, democracy, and national development.
The event, held as part of the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, underscored a unified message: ensuring women’s digital safety is essential for Somalia’s democratic progress, media freedom, and inclusive governance.
The Somali Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, the Norwegian Embassy, the Canadian Embassy, Meta, the UN Gender Group, and For All Women and Girls jointly collaborated on this event.
