From Training to Action: Gender in Humanitarian Action in Somalia
UN Women Somalia, Save the Children International and the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) facilitated a four-days training on Integrating Gender Perspectives in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Humanitarian Action in November 2024 in Mogadishu. The training targeted new members of the Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) GiHA working group from civil society organizations, women-led organizations in Banadir region. It was designed to build the capacity of participants to integrate gender equality considerations into emergency planning and response, ensuring that humanitarian actions are inclusive and effectively meet the diverse needs of affected populations.
Among the participants was Mr. Liban Adan Mohamed, a dedicated staff member from WADANI RELIEF ORGANISATION (WARO), a local NGO in Mogadishu. Reflecting on his experience, Liban says, 'This training opened my eyes to the critical importance of integrating gender considerations into our humanitarian response efforts. It empowered me to advocate for the needs and rights of vulnerable populations'.
Liban took immediate action after the training, organizing an internal staff training session for his eight colleagues at WARO who work closely with internally displaced persons (IDPs). This not only strengthened their understanding of gender in humanitarian emergencies but also enhanced their ability to communicate effectively with the communities they serve. Liban explains, 'We learned how to approach our work with empathy and awareness of gender issues, which significantly improved our interactions with the communities we assist.'
Liban was later assigned to WARO's office in Gedo, Bardera, where he again took the lead in organizing a similar training program focusing on Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA)&disaster risk reduction (DRR). This time, he reached out to eight staff members and approximately 200 community members – a majority being women, emphasizing the crucial role that gender plays in disaster preparedness and response. 'Watching the community engage in discussions and share their experiences was inspiring. It was clear that we were building a foundation for greater resilience together,' Liban remarks. The WARO team, equipped with new skills and a greater sense of purpose, has become a beacon of hope within their communities.
Liban expresses his utmost gratitude saying, 'This journey has just begun. We are excited to continue working with UN Women and other partners to foster an equitable and inclusive society where all voices, especially those of women, are heard and respected.'
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
For All Women and Girls: Lieutenant Colonel Getrude Ndenga on Her Role in Advancing Women's Leadership in Peacekeeping
Lieutenant Colonel Getrude Ndenga's path to service began long before she joined the Tanzania People's Defence Force, growing up in the barracks of northern Tanzania. 'I grew up saluting before I could spell,' she says, reflecting on her childhood as the daughter of a woman in the military. 'She was my role model,' Ndenga says, as she fondly remembers watching her mother lace up her boots each morning, an image that continues to inspire her. 'That daily ritual reminded me that strength and courage are not reserved for men—they belong to women too.' From a young age, the rhythms of military life became second nature. Today, that early exposure to discipline and duty has come full circle, as she serves with pride at the Tanzania Defence Forces Headquarters under the Directorate of Peace Support Operations. Answering the Call to a Career in Peacekeeping In 2018, Ndenga attended a United Nations Women in Peacekeeping course in Kenya, an experience that helped deepen her understanding of the vital roles women play in peace operations and inspired her to pursue a career in peacekeeping. The training equipped her with technical expertise in child protection, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and the prohibition of child soldier recruitment. It also emphasized community engagement strategies and trust-building, particularly with women and children most affected by conflict. Her commitment to peacekeeping was further reinforced through a UN Women-supported Women, Peace and Security (WPS) training, which enhanced her capacity to lead and advocate for women's inclusion in peace missions. 'The training provided me the tools to support inclusive troop deployment and strengthened my confidence as a leader,' she says. In 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Ndenga was deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO). In her role, she was responsible for coordinating logistics across multiple mission areas. On a typical day, she managed troop supplies and responded to urgent calls in support of MONUSCO's core activities, including patrolling, securing humanitarian convoys, and engaging with local communities. 'Each day in the mission area was demanding, filled with mission-critical duties that had to be fulfilled as part of our mandate,' she recalls. The role, she admits, is not without its challenges. 'Being far from my family during missions has been one of the most difficult aspects,' she says. 'Balancing my responsibilities as a mother, wife, sister, and military officer is never easy. On top of that, when you're in mission areas, you are operating in an unpredictable environment where the situation could shift at any moment.' Balancing Service, Care, and Community For Ndenga, the mission of peacekeepers extends well beyond their assigned duties—it is rooted in the people they serve in each operation, and the lasting, positive impact they strive to leave behind. 'Peacekeeping isn't just about security, it's about supporting civilians in conflict zones, building trust across nationalities and restoring hope.' she said. As women peacekeepers, she says, it's easier for women in communities to approach them for help, particularly when they are survivors of gender-based violence. She recalls one encounter that left a lasting impression. A local woman working as a cleaner at the UN camp broke down after losing her father. 'She didn't have money to bury him, and the body was still at home. So, I mobilized my colleagues, and together we raised USD 300 to support her. It was a small gesture, but for her, it meant everything.' Ndenga shares. Through partnership with civil societies, NGO's UN agencies and other actors, her mission was also able to support women with knowledge in entrepreneurship, healthcare, and social services, helping them build the capacity to start small businesses and earn a sustainable income. From Beijing to Today: Advancing Women's Role in Peace and Security Three decades after Beijing, Ndenga believes its goals remain urgent. 'In many countries, especially those affected by prolonged conflict, too often, women are still left out of decision-making, conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes,' she says. Ndenga urges more women and girls to join the military and peacekeeping operations, not only for institutional balance but to better serve vulnerable groups in conflict zones. For All Women and Girls… Lasting Peace 'Women are highly needed in peacekeeping. When women and children face trauma, they often open more easily to someone they trust. And that someone is usually another woman,' she says. 'The more women we have in uniform, the more effective our support becomes.' she added. 'Women are the vital assets, good ambassadors, and they play vital roles towards peace building, conflict resolution and mandate achievement.' She added. Looking ahead, Ndenga plans to continue contributing to peace operations while shaping inclusive military training, facilitating workshops within the People's Defence Force, and amplifying women's capacity to lead in conflict and post-conflict settings. UN Women in Tanzania works in close partnership with the Government and the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda, working together to make peacekeeping more gender-responsive through the provision of technical guidance, strategic advocacy, and specialized training. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
The National
05-06-2025
- The National
US and Israel-backed group extends closure of Gaza aid sites
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) pushed back the reopening of its aid sites set for Thursday, without clarifying when they would resume service, as starvation looms in the war-ravaged enclave. The GHF closed its distribution centres on Wednesday after a string of deadly shooting incidents near its sites killed scores of Palestinians and drew sharp United Nations condemnation. The US and Israeli-backed aid group originally said it was closing aid distribution sites in Gaza on Wednesday for "renovation" and that they would reopen Thursday. But the group said late Wednesday that its facilities would not open at the regular time. "Our distribution sites will not open early tomorrow morning as in previous days due to ongoing maintenance and repair work," it wrote on social media. "We will share information about opening times as soon as work is complete." The Israeli army warned against travelling "on roads leading to the distribution centres, which are considered combat zones". The GHF said it was working to made aid distribution "as safe as possible" and urged those travelling to its sites to "follow the routes designated" by the Israeli army. The foundation began its operations last week after Israel eased a blockade on Gaza that had prevented aid from entering for more than two months, sparking warnings of mass famine. But the group's first week of work has been marred by violence and criticism. At least 27 Palestinians were killed waiting for aid at a distribution centre in the southern city of Rafah on Tuesday, according to Gaza authorities. On Sunday, 31 people were killed in a similar incident near a site run by the foundation. Three were killed on Monday. The GHF is a private group but is backed by the US and Israel. Its aid operations, which bypass traditional humanitarian groups, have been condemned by the UN and established charities, who say they place civilians at risk by forcing them to navigate militarised areas to reach the aid sites. The organisation has said it distributed more than seven million meals in its first week. Gazans are desperate for food after an 11-week Israeli aid blockade and are sleeping near aid collection points despite fears of deadly violence, The National has been told. Food shortages and ongoing violence have propelled fresh international calls for an end to the war but a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains elusive. The US, Israel's main ally, used its veto power at the UN Security Council on Wednesday to block a resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza. Hamas condemned the veto as "disgraceful" and accused Washington of "legitimising genocide" in Gaza.
Zawya
04-06-2025
- Zawya
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Strongly Condemns Attack on Humanitarian Convoy in North Darfur
The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the armed attack on a humanitarian convoy in North Darfur. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) strongly condemned all acts of violence against humanitarian personnel who dedicate their lives to serving those in need. The Ministry underlined that the targeting of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) convoy is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, and emphasized that humanitarian personnel must be respected and protected. Moreover, the Ministry called on the two warring parties - who have shown no regard for the extent of suffering endured by the Sudanese people - to respect their obligations under international law and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, and the mechanisms proposed by the Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group. The UAE stressed the need to implement immediate steps to protect civilians and facilitate the rapid and unhindered access of essential humanitarian aid through all available means. The Ministry underscored the UAE's steadfast and unwavering dedication to support all efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, highlighting the importance of an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians. The UAE remains committed to supporting all endeavors to address this catastrophic crisis and to work alongside regional and international partners to ensure stability and peace for the people of Sudan. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
