Building Responsive & Accountable communities
Empowering women in peacebuilding and responsive government is not just a matter of equality; it is a strategic imperative. When women's voices are heard, their perspectives valued, and their participation supported, we unlock a powerful force for positive change that can build lasting peace and create more inclusive and effective governance.
FAWE Somalia: Empowering Women for Lasting Change
Our Journey - Pioneering Change in Puntland
In September 2020, a momentous partnership with Diakonia Sweden ignited the launch of our groundbreaking initiative: "Empowering Female Candidates in Early Elections in Puntland, Somalia." This strategic endeavor lit the way in Ufayn, Qardo, and Ayl Districts, nestled within the heart of the Puntland State of Somalia.
Pioneering a Path Forward: This wasn't just any project; it was a pioneering endeavor that set the stage for local elections across the 50 districts of Puntland in 2022 and 2023. A beacon of hope, it signifies a significant stride towards reshaping the political landscape of the region.
Our Achievements - Amplifying Women's Voices in Puntland
In tandem with our esteemed partners, we've been at the forefront of a transformative mission to empower women and elevate their role in Puntland elections. The results have been nothing short of remarkable, revolutionizing the political landscape and uplifting female candidates in unprecedented ways.
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In collaboration with our dedicated allies, we orchestrated impactful awareness and sensitization workshops in the target districts. Community elders, religious leaders, women's and youth groups, and local authorities convened to expose female candidates to their communities. The sessions addressed women's voting and candidacy rights and dispelled cultural myths, fostering widespread support for women candidates.
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Central to our mission was equipping women candidates with essential campaign skills, made possible through our close collaboration. Approximately 85 women candidates were empowered through training in leadership, communication, and public speaking. They delved into the essence of leadership as an ongoing process, effective communication, and compelling public speaking, arming them to effectively convey their vision to voters.
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Collaborating with our partners, we created a platform to showcase the policies and community development plans of women candidates through the media. This innovative approach allowed candidates to apply their acquired communication and public speaking skills, fostering solidarity and empowerment among women candidates and participants.
Impact Summary
The local elections in the target districts were an unequivocal success, thanks to our unwavering advocacy and fruitful partnership with civil society organizations. In conjunction with our partners, we played a pivotal role in ensuring that female candidates secured 28% of the seats, including the 85 women candidates trained by FAWE Somalia.
Join Us in Shaping a Brighter Future for All
FAWE Somalia and our esteemed partners are not just executing a project; we're pioneering a transformative movement. Together, with our dedicated allies, we're illuminating the path toward a more inclusive and equitable political landscape in Puntland. Join us in shaping a brighter future for all.
Empowering Women for Leadership and Advocacy
Women's Network Leadership Training in Puntland
In partnership with NDI, MOWDAFA, and FAWE Somalia, the Women's Network Leadership Training project in Puntland aimed to empower women by equipping them with essential leadership, advocacy, and communication skills. NDI played a pivotal role by not only funding the project but also hiring two consultants. One consultant conducted a 4-day Training of Trainers (TOT) program for 56 women, focusing on leadership and advocacy, and prepared workshop materials. The other consultant was tasked with conducting an end-of-project evaluation to assess the program's impact.
MOWDAFA's role was crucial in identifying and mobilizing women trainees, while also monitoring the workshop sessions. FAWESOM took on the overarching responsibility of coordinating and managing the workshop training across all 11 districts in Puntland.
The Women's Network training was conducted in various districts, including Garowe, Burtinle, Eyl, Galkayo, Baran, Banderbeyla, Dangoronyo, Qardho, Bosasso, Jariiban, and Goldogob. The training was executed in two distinct phases, each serving a unique purpose.
The first phase, held from the 2nd to the 9th of March 2012 in Garowe, featured a TOT program for 56 women hailing from the 11 selected districts. The TOT aimed to equip these Master Trainers with the essential skills and knowledge needed to deliver effective and efficient training sessions on leadership, advocacy, and communication skills. These Master Trainers played a pivotal role in the second phase, which spanned from the 12th of March to the 30th of April 2012, where they facilitated the training of 220 women in five regions across 11 districts in Puntland.
This collaborative effort between NDI, MOWDAFA, and FAWESOM has been instrumental in advancing the leadership capabilities of women in Puntland and fostering positive change in their communities. By enhancing the skills and knowledge of these women, the project aimed to create a brighter and more inclusive future for the region, where women's voices and leadership are valued and respected.