From Where I Stand: “I no longer wait for someone’s hand, I build my own path.”

“My name is Fardowsa Omer. I am 40 years old and live in Jigjiga Woreda, Somali Region, with my husband, our nine children, and my mother. We are a household of twelve, and like many families in my community, we have struggled to make ends meet. With no formal education and few job opportunities, I spent most of my life depending on my husband to provide for our family. I took whatever small work I could find, like cleaning houses or selling fruits around the village, just to feed my children. 

Life in Somali Region has become even harder in recent years. The long droughts, rising food prices, and limited job opportunities have made survival a daily struggle. My husband used to work as a part-time driver, but lately, there has been no work. I did my best to support my family, but what I earned was never enough to feed my children. 

Through UN Women’s project, I was selected to join a cooperative of 15 women. It’s the first time I’ve ever been part of something like this. Together, we decided to start a livestock trading business, buying goats and sheep at lower prices from small towns more than 600 kilometers away and selling them here in Jigjiga for profit. We named our group Horseed Cooperative, meaning “pioneer” in Somali. Each member has a role; some buy the livestock, others handle sales, and others manage the cash flow. As chair of the cooperative, I oversee our daily operations and ensure everything runs smoothly. 

With an initial capital of 144,653 ETB (≈1,148 USD) funded by UN Women, our cooperative began its journey. In just eight months, our capital grew to 250,000 ETB (≈1,786 USD), and our profits reached an impressive 72.8%, marking a transformative start for our business and our lives. We plan to expand our business to include cattle and camels in the future.

Before this project, I had never saved money in my life. I used every birr I earned for daily survival. But after receiving training on cooperative business skills, savings and food security, I learned how important it is to save and plan. Now, when our cooperative sells livestock, we divide the earnings, where half goes into our savings account and the rest among members. This way, both the group and our families grow stronger together. 

The Gender Based Violence prevention awareness training also changed me deeply. I gained a deeper understanding of the devastating effects of GBV and harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Since then, I made a personal commitment to never allow these practices in my family. I also actively raise awareness among women in my community, guiding them on how to report violence safely and anonymously to the Women’s Affairs office in our Kebele. Many women are still afraid to come forward, but I encourage them to speak out and seek support. It hasn’t been easy, but I believe that lasting change begins with awareness and the courage to take a stand. 

My husband has been supportive of my work, but not all women in our cooperative are as fortunate. Some face resistance from their husbands for participating in the business. I am grateful mine recognizes how my efforts contribute to our family’s well-being. When I travel long distances to buy livestock, he and my mother take care of the children, ensuring everything at home continues smoothly. 

When I compare my life now to before, it feels like two completely different stories. I no longer wait for someone’s hand to provide, I can meet my family’s needs with my own income. Today, I can proudly say that I am economically independent. 

Through this project, I discovered a side of myself I didn’t know existed. I’ve lived in Jigjiga my whole life and had never traveled beyond my town. Now, I travel hundreds of kilometers to buy livestock, manage a cooperative, and make financial decisions. I’ve grown not just economically, but also in confidence and leadership. My dream is to build a successful livestock business including selling camels, which are highly valued in our region. With hard work, savings, and the support of my cooperative sisters, I believe this dream will come true. 

For the first time, I’m not just surviving. I’m building a better future for my family and my community. I am deeply grateful to UN Women for the timely and life-changing support.” 

UN Women Ethiopia, with funding from the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), is implementing the project “Enhanced Participation and Leadership of Women in Planning and Response to the Food Security Crisis.” The initiative aims to strengthen the leadership and participation of women and girls in food security planning and response across drought-affected districts of the Somali Region. Implemented in partnership with Generation for African Relief and Development (GARAD), a local NGO, the project enhances women’s capacity and agency to promote inclusive, gender-responsive approaches in both humanitarian action and long-term resilience building. So far, the project has supported 240 women beneficiaries organized into 16 women-led cooperatives across Jijiga, Awbare, Haroray, and Kebribeya districts.