Mogadishu, Somalia – The Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at embedding gender-sensitive reporting standards in Somalia’s newsrooms. The initiative comes at a time when the country is entering a new political chapter, preparing for national elections, and facing growing calls for fair and inclusive media coverage.
The campaign’s first activities took place in Baidoa, where SOMWA conducted a two-day workshop on ethical and gender-sensitive journalism. Journalists from various media outlets received training on the following topics:
- Avoid bias and gender stereotypes in their reporting.
- Represent the voices of women, youths, and marginalised groups.
- Handle sensitive stories with care, consent, and respect.
- Use language and visuals that uphold dignity and agency.
At the conclusion of the training, participants signed a Personal Commitment Pledge, formally declaring their dedication to upholding the highest standards of fairness, inclusion, and ethics in their professional work.
Gaps in Gender-Sensitive Policies
While the training was a milestone, SOMWA’s assessment of partner media outlets reveals the scale of the challenge ahead. In Mogadishu, SOMWA engaged with Arlaadi Media, while in Baidoa, it worked with Codka Bay iyo Bakool and Radio Baidoa. Among these three media houses, only one currently has a gender-sensitive newsroom policy. The remaining two acknowledged the absence of such guidelines but expressed willingness to develop and implement them in the future.
This finding reflects a broader reality in Somalia’s media sector, where editorial policies on gender sensitivity are often absent, inconsistently applied, or treated as optional. W Without formal structures, newsrooms often revert to entrenched cultural stereotypes, which leads to overlooking women’s perspectives and under-reporting issues that directly affect them.
“We cannot expect change if inclusivity remains a matter of individual choice rather than institutional policy,” said Maryan Seylac, Executive Director of SOMWA. “Our campaign is not just about awareness — it is about creating permanent structures and practices that ensure every newsroom treats gender sensitivity as a professional standard.”
Urgency in a Political Transition Period
SOMWA stresses that the timing of this campaign is critical. Somalia is entering an intense political season, as national elections approach. Media coverage during this political season will play a decisive role in shaping public opinion, voter engagement, and perceptions of political legitimacy.
“Gender-sensitive reporting is essential to democracy,” added Seylac. “When women’s voices are absent from political coverage, half the population is effectively excluded from the national conversation.”
From journalists to media owners
The next stage of the campaign will focus on roundtable discussions with media owners and managers. SOMWA will encourage them to sign the same Personal Commitment Pledge and adopt formal gender-sensitive policies for their newsrooms. We designed this step to support inclusivity at the decision-making level and incorporate it into organisational structures.
“Gender-sensitive journalism is about fairness, but it’s also about trust and credibility,” said Seylac. “We want Somalia’s media to be a source of unity, not division—and that starts with ensuring that everyone’s story is told with respect.”
