Their presence in the media is essential for delivering diverse voices and ensuring a balanced representation of both men’s and women’s voices in journalism programming.

However, they continue to face significant challenges.

Beyond low or unpaid salaries, female journalists in Somalia encounter societal pressures that often downplay their role or consider journalism an unsuitable profession for women, believing they should remain at home.

Amiiro Suleiman, a journalist at Kaab TV, shared her experiences, stating that Somali society remains largely intolerant of women working in the media.

“The public still does not fully accept female journalists, although there has been some progress,” Amiiro told Kaab TV.

Advocating against harassment and stigmatisation

Last week, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) concluded a training session in Mogadishu attended by female journalists from the regional states and Mogadishu.

With support from Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), SJS brought together women advocating for human rights who have had limited access to training opportunities, aiming to strengthen their skills.

Kawsar Barkhadle, a journalist from Radio Gedo in the town of Doolow, Gedo region, is among those striving to overcome barriers.

Insecurity remains a major issue in Gedo, with Al-Shabaab controlling rural areas and restricting women from working or moving freely.

“Becoming a journalist was my passion, but I faced significant pressure. Even my own family initially discouraged me, labeling my profession as inappropriate,” Kawsar said.

She started her journalism career in 2021 but faced severe social pressure, leading her parents to urge her to quit.

However, through persistence, she managed to convince them of the importance of her work.

Women journalists often face verbal abuse and are accused of violating cultural and religious norms, with some even being labeled derogatory terms such as “being prostitutes’.

This societal pressure has led some women to leave the profession entirely to avoid public criticism.

Anfa Aden Abdi, SJS’s Gender Secretary, has personally experienced these challenges.

As a journalist and advocate for women’s rights, she now leads initiatives supporting female journalists by providing training and fighting for their labor rights and safety.

“We have started engaging media managers to ease the pressure on female journalists and to repeatedly educate society on the importance of their role,” Anfa said.

She emphasized that women’s contributions to the media are just as vital as those of men.

“I also urge female journalists to keep pushing forward and not to bow down to pressure. Yes, we are women, and we can do it,” she added.

Self confidence, continuous learning, and skill development have been identified as key factors that can help female journalists secure their rights and advance in their careers.

The post Somali Women Journalists Struggle Against Challenges to Amplify Their Voices appeared first on Kaab TV.

These trainings, which are part of several programs, are supported by the Somali Journalists Syndicate – SJS from the Government and the People of Canada through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives.

The aim of the training for female journalists – both former and new – is for the girls to achieve self-sufficiency in their work, and feel that they can work independently and freely anytime and anywhere.

The SJS leadership extended their appreciation to the Government and the people of Canada for their support.

The post SJS Conducts Training to Empower Somali Women Journalists appeared first on Kaab TV.

This success is now measured through successive trainings of the journalists and collaborations among local journalists and media defenders, as well as the engagement of the local community.

In September 2021, a ray of hope emerged when the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) initiated a training program focused on safety and media freedom. This groundbreaking initiative brought together reporters from both sides of the divided city, aiming to foster collaboration and improve the security of the media community in the region. The results were nothing short of remarkable.

“We wanted to improve the dire security conditions for local journalists. We understood that a divided city cannot protect journalists. I am pleased to say that our efforts bore fruit, as journalists from all sides now feel secure and capable of carrying out their duties,” said Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary-General of SJS. “When journalists are safe, the community also feels safer.”

The training program, supported by funding from the Canadian Government through its Global Affairs Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), made a significant impact. A total of 141 journalists received training for a period of two years, with nearly half of them being female journalists, individuals from marginalized communities, and journalists with disabilities. The project encompassed participants from five regions in Somalia, including Mogadishu, Hirshabelle, Southwest, Puntland, Jubbaland, and Galmudug.

According to Mr. Mumin, the training sessions successfully addressed two crucial issues: raising awareness about the right to freedom of expression and enhancing the safety of journalists, both in physical and digital realms.

Zamira Abdi Ali from Puntland State TV also attested to the positive impact of the safety and security training, particularly for female journalists. Her approach and mindset shifted after the training, as she now conducts regular safety checks before assignments. “I am grateful to SJS and Canada for their support. I want to urge them that these successes we got from the trainings should be replicated in other regions so that many journalists across the country can be safe,” she added.

For years, Fadumo Mohamed Sharif in Jowhar had worked without any prior safety and security training, constantly aware of the risks associated with her profession due to the targeting of several journalists, including her colleagues, in the past. However, the SJS training proved to be a turning point in her career.

“The SJS training was the first of its kind for me. I couldn’t afford such training, and women often miss out on safety and security opportunities. Since completing the training, I have successfully undertaken several assignments. I diligently follow the instructions provided by the trainers,” she shared.

Addressing specific security concerns faced by female journalists

Women journalists, in particular, face additional challenges and threats in Somalia. Hence, the training sessions focused on addressing specific security concerns faced by female journalists, including mitigation of online and physical harassment and safety procedures during field assignments.

Hanad Ali Guled, the SJS Secretary of Training, highlighted the inclusion of trauma sessions in the training, which was a novel addition due to the scarcity of qualified psychotherapists working with journalists to address emotional, social, or mental issues.

“Journalists who cover traumatic events such as violence, disasters and other situations involving human pain often require to know how to care themselves and support each other,” Guled emphasised.

Journalists in regions like Gedo, situated on the Somali border with Kenya and Ethiopia, face unique hardships caused by violent conflict and severe humanitarian crises. Naima Abdi Mohamed, a 23-year-old journalist reporting for the local online platform Voice of Somali People, shed light on the challenges faced by journalists in the region.

“Our region has experienced numerous hardships, from climate shocks to conflicts. The local community faces extreme conditions, and we journalists are part of that community,” she explained.

Naima and other local journalists had the opportunity to benefit from the empowering training.

“Firstly, it allowed me to be trained alongside my male colleagues, which was a rarity in the past. Secondly, the training covered both physical and digital aspects, helping me understand the risks associated with my job, including online platforms,” Naima expressed. “Our training focused on the best safety and security practices, enabling me and my colleagues to work confidently and securely.”

Mumin acknowledges that the achievements attained thus far owe their existence to two critical factors: the support from Canada and the invaluable collaborations within the local community. He expresses deep gratitude for the generous support received from Canada, which, coupled with the collective efforts of local collaborators, paved the way for these remarkable successes. “I am truly thankful for the support extended by Canada and our local partners, as their contributions have been instrumental in our accomplishments,” he emphasizes appreciatively.

With safety and security risks increasingly affecting the professional duties of local journalists in Somalia, the training addressed these concerns head-on. The impact of the initiative, backed by Canada Global Affairs, has been profound and tangible on the ground. However, it is crucial to recognize that sustaining and further building upon this impact is a key challenge that needs to be addressed for long-term success and progress in the field.

The post Safety and Empowerment: Journalists in Somalia flourish with support from Canada appeared first on Kaab TV.