African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Commits to Promoting Women’s Leadership in Somalia
Date:
UN Women supported a three-day capacity building and networking workshop for the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Somalia Chapter Steering Committee from 10_12 September 2024 in Mogadishu. The workshop was held as part of the Women, Peace, and Protection Joint Programme (WPP JP), implemented by UN Women, UNDP and UNSOM. The AWLN Somalia Chapter Steering Committee is comprised of two representatives from each of the federal member states, Banadir region and Somaliland, with a total of 14 committee members and a Chairperson.
During the three-day workshop, the AWLN Somalia Chapter members took part in brainstorming sessions on women’s leadership and participation in various fields, facilitated by an expert from AWLN. During the workshop, participants learned about the functioning of AWLN in other countries in the region and gained familiarity with the roles and responsibilities of the federal government of Somalia. This was followed by an inclusive situational analysis, which paved the way for the development of a two-year work plan.
In his opening remarks, Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama, Minister of Family and Human Rights Development (MoFHRD) welcomed the AWLN Somalia Chapter members and applauded its wider geographic representation, including in Somaliland. The Minister acknowledged UN Women for organizing this important workshop and for supporting Somali women to come together in solidarity to discuss issues through the AWLN platform. In addition, Minister Bashir affirmed his commitment to providing continuous support to the AWLN Somalia Chapter and underscored that it will be included in the Ministry’s ongoing five-year strategic plan.
Dr. Syed Sadiq, Head of UN Women Somalia, commended Hon. Minister Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama, Mama Zahra, the AWLN Somalia Chairperson and other officials for their commitment and tireless efforts to launch and achieve the objectives of AWLN in Somalia. Dr Syed also acknowledged Mama Awa Ndiaye Seck, Regional Expert from AWLN Africa, for travelling all the way from West Africa to support the AWLN Somalia Chapter with her wealth of knowledge and experience.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Mohamed ElAmine Souef, African Union (AU) Somalia Representative, applauded the focused discussions and successes of the workshop, for demonstrating the impact of AWLN in Somalia, and for developing the two-year work plan. Ambassador Mohamed also recognized Mama Zahra for her leadership in the betterment of Somalia’s next generation, and thanked Mama Awa, Regional Expert on AWLN Africa, for her commitment to supporting AWLN Somalia Chapter and UN Women Somalia and for her facilitation of the workshop. The Ambassador confirmed his commitment to supporting the Somalia Chapter and reminded participants that his attendance is a testimony of AU support for the AWLN Somalia Chapter.