MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – In Somalia, women face significant societal and cultural barriers to employment, leaving them with limited opportunities in the workforce.
The country has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, with 74% of young Somali women unable to find work.
Education is also a major challenge, with only 25% of Somali girls attending primary school, and 65% of women aged 20-24 having never completed their education.
Early marriage and extreme poverty, worsened by drought and ongoing conflict, are key obstacles preventing girls from accessing education.
However, a group of determined women is working to break this cycle by equipping young women with the skills they need to thrive in the job market.
At Hano Academy, Kaab TV met a group of women training daily to master the art of coffee making, learning to brew various types of coffee with distinctive flavors and techniques.
For many, including young women like Ayan Dahir, 19, this is not just a job but a path to empowerment.
“In today’s world, everyone needs a skill to survive and be fit for the job market,” Ayan tells Kaab TV. “That’s why I’m training to make coffee.”
Ayan, along with her colleague Naima Adan, sees this training as a vital opportunity to acquire a quick skill and begin earning a living.
“I always wanted to learn a skill because, as a young woman, finding a job is difficult. Then I got this opportunity,” says Naima.
Both Ayan and Naima feel empowered through their work and are no longer vulnerable to exploitation.
Their newfound skills provide them with confidence and independence, allowing them to take control of their futures.
While they train, the women have access to Fijan, a coffee shop located within the academy.
There, they work with various coffee-making machines, honing their craft. Yusuf Mohamud, the manager of the center, explains that the goal is to provide young women with the tools they need to quickly enter the workforce.
“Our aim is to prepare these young women and give them immediate opportunities to be employed,” Yusuf says.
Unemployment among women in Somalia is driven by several factors, including a lack of skills, limited experience, and the mismatch between available education and the skills needed in the job market.
Economic stagnation and slow job creation further exacerbate the problem.
For many unemployed women, especially those from poorer families, the risk of exploitation is high.
Sexual exploitation remains a pervasive issue, with government departments being particularly vulnerable, although the private sector is also affected.
While initiatives like this training program are a step in the right direction for women’s empowerment and rights in Somalia, much more needs to be done to achieve gender equality.
Offering women greater access to opportunities and helping them fulfill their potential is essential for progress in the country.