Mogadishu, Somalia — The Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) today held a strategic meeting between its Executive Director, Maryam Seylac, and Rukaya Mohamed, Country Programme Manager for UN Women Somalia, focused on strengthening the empowerment, safety, and meaningful participation of Somali women in public life. The discussion placed special emphasis on the unique challenges faced by women journalists, who continue to work in environments marked by insecurity, discrimination, and growing digital and physical threats.
The meeting underscored the continuing prevalence of gender-based violence and harassment within the media landscape. Women journalists in Somalia often face multiple layers of risk—ranging from targeted online abuse and defamation campaigns to workplace exclusion, intimidation in the field, and unlawful detention. Both organisations stressed that these threats are not isolated incidents but reflect broader systemic inequalities that restrict women’s visibility, leadership, and influence in shaping national discourse.
Ms. Seylac and Ms. Mohamed discussed the urgent need for stronger institutional protection mechanisms, including clearer legal safeguards, better enforcement of existing labour and anti-discrimination frameworks, and the establishment of safe reporting pathways for journalists experiencing abuse. The two leaders also highlighted the importance of professional development opportunities, such as leadership training, mentorship, and access to decision-making roles within media institutions.
During the meeting, Ms Mohamed received a copy of SOMWA’s flagship publication, the State of Women’s Press Freedom in Somalia (2025) report. Released to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the report provides evidence-based insights into the violations faced by Somali women journalists and presents detailed recommendations for government authorities, media owners, civil society partners, and international stakeholders. The report reinforces the need for coordinated action to end impunity, uphold press freedom, and ensure gender equity within the media sector.
Both SOMWA and UN Women reaffirmed their joint commitment to:
- Championing women’s participation and leadership in journalism and public life
- Supporting policy reforms that protect women journalists against intimidation and abuse
- Expanding networks of solidarity and peer support among women in media
- Promoting community awareness on the essential role women journalists play in inclusive nation-building
- Mobilising national and international partners to invest in long-term, gender-responsive media development
This engagement strengthens the ongoing partnership between the two organisations and sends a strong signal of shared dedication to fostering a safe, inclusive, and equitable media environment—one where Somali women can report, lead, and participate without fear of violence or repression.
