August 7, 2025 – Mogadishu, Somalia.
The Somali Media Women Association (@SOMWA4) has successfully concluded a two-day intensive training programme in Mogadishu, aimed at strengthening the physical and digital safety of female journalists. This initiative is part of SOMWA’s broader efforts to address the unique and growing risks faced by women in Somalia’s media industry, particularly those reporting in high-risk and conflict-affected areas.
The Mogadishu training marks Phase Two of a larger safety programme. Phase One was previously held in Baidoa, where another cohort of female journalists received similar instruction and support. Both trainings are part of SOMWA’s national strategy to build a safer, more inclusive media environment for women across Somalia.
Over the course of two days, more than 50 female journalists from various media outlets participated in hands-on sessions covering three main pillars:
- Physical Safety: Journalists were trained to respond to threats such as crossfire, targeted violence, bombings, and SVBIEDs. Practical exercises focused on situational awareness, evacuation strategies, and field risk assessment—essential skills for journalists reporting from Somalia’s volatile regions.
- Digital Security: With the increasing use of digital platforms, women in media are becoming frequent targets of online abuse. Participants learnt to secure their devices, protect their online identities, and mitigate risks such as doxxing, surveillance, and cyberbullying. Emphasis was placed on digital hygiene, secure communications, and how to report online harassment.
- Institutional Support: The programme also tackled structural gaps within media houses, encouraging the development of in-house safety protocols, peer support systems, and mechanisms for reporting threats. Discussions were held on how media institutions can create safer, more gender-sensitive workplaces.
At the opening ceremony, Abdishakur Ali Ahmed, Director of Communication Strategy at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, noted that the training would enable journalists to better detect, prevent, and respond to both physical and digital threats, ultimately enhancing their resilience in the field.
Maryan Seylac, executive director of SOMWA, emphasised that the program is specifically designed for female journalists who face additional gender-based threats, including online sexual harassment, intimidation, and cultural stigma. Seylac highlighted the importance of psychosocial support, noting that the curriculum includes mental health care, stress management, and guidance on navigating both professional pressure and community scrutiny.
The presence of Abdirahman Hudeyfi, Director of Public Affairs at the Office of the President, underscored the government’s recognition of the issue. He spoke candidly about the heightened vulnerabilities of female journalists, many of whom are disproportionately targeted by gender-based online violence and digital disinformation campaigns.
A particularly moving component of the training was a session dedicated to firsthand accounts from survivor journalists, who shared their experiences of surviving attacks, threats, and harassment. Participants experienced a sense of solidarity, healing, and mutual support as a result of these testimonies.
MP Abdirahman Mohamed, former Banadir TV director Abdulahi Wiish, and Maryan Seylac delivered powerful remarks during the closing session. MP Mohamed called for increased vigilance and unity among journalists working in hostile environments. Seylac, reflecting on the broader vision of SOMWA, reaffirmed the urgent need to protect female media workers as a fundamental step towards press freedom, media diversity, and gender equity in Somalia.
SOMWA expressed deep gratitude to its partners and supporters, including @UNTMIS_, whose contributions have been instrumental in bringing this training to fruition.
With both phases of the training—Baidoa and Mogadishu—now complete, SOMWA plans to continue its mission to expand safety, support, and opportunity for female journalists across Somalia.
