Mogadishu, Somalia – November 26, 2023
The Media Women Network (MWN), in partnership with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), effectively organized a two-day training workshop in Mogadishu from November 25th to 26th, 2023. The event saw the active participation of 20 attendees, including journalists and representatives from civil society organizations.
The workshop, which was designed to mark the 16 days of activism, aimed to empower participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to confront the challenges of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and cultivate collaborative strategies to end GBV against women in Somalia.The key lessons learned during the two days of workshop gave the participants a broader understanding and insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of GBV, including its root causes, prevalence, and impact on individuals and communities. The workshop highlighted the crucial role both media and civil society organizations play in raising awareness about GBV, amplifying survivor voices, and advocating for policy changes and preventative measures.
The discussions delved into various approaches to effectively address GBV, including prevention strategies, support services for survivors, and legal and justice mechanisms. Specific attention was given to the challenges faced by women from vulnerable and marginalized groups.
The two days training also emphasized the importance of cultivating a fostering strategies between media professionals or organizations, civil society organizations and Activists to raise awareness about GBV, promote positive social norms, and build a strong support network for survivors.
And the opening ceremony of the workshop was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Abdishakur Ali Ahmed, Director of the Communication Department of the Ministry of Information, and Maryan Ahmed Mohamud, Vice Chairwoman of Banadir Region Women’s Organization. Both emphasized the critical need for such training initiatives to combat GBV and protect vulnerable members of society.
Maryan Ahmed Mohamud, Vice Chairwoman of Banadir Region Women’s Organization, emphasized the media’s influential role in eradicating gender-based violence against women: “The media holds the power to diminish violence against women. There was a case in Guriel city of Galmudug, and it was the journalists who initially reported it; subsequently, the case received a quick attention. The media possesses such power, and I encourage you to wield it in a positive manner.”
This workshop, as part of the ongoing 16-day campaign against GBV, actively celebrates and advocates for vulnerable individuals, receiving support from UNSOM. The Media Women Network (MWN) recognizes the significance of fostering collaborative strategies between the media and civil society to effectively address GBV and contribute to the creation of a safer and more inclusive Somalia for all.