They are the backbone of storytelling and covering underreported issues.

Although women remain underrepresented in the journalism profession, they face numerous challenges that impact their safety, professional growth, and employment opportunities.

According to a report published by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) in 2021, women journalists are particularly vulnerable to the ongoing security threats in Somalia.

They face constant intimidation, attacks, and threats, which compromise their safety and hinder their ability to work freely.

Between January 1 and April 30, 2025, the Somali Journalists Syndicate documented the arrest of 46 journalists, while two others were abducted and later went missing in the Lower Shabelle region under the South West State.

Authorities in South West State also imposed restrictions on three local radio stations during the month of Ramadan.

Meanwhile, in Somaliland, Universal TV was shut down, and in Mogadishu, police forces raided Radio Risaala.

More than 30 journalists had their equipment confiscated, and 10 others were subjected to physical assault and intimidation.

According to SJS records, female journalists accounted for 10.5% of the targeted journalists in 2025, while 89.5% were male.

The majority of the attacks on the media—including arbitrary arrests, killings, internet restrictions, and censorship—were perpetrated by government forces and the armed group Al-Shabaab.

Women journalists also face various forms of abuse, including verbal insults and harassment from the public, colleagues, and, at times, media managers.

These abuses significantly limit their career development opportunities.

In conflict zones or areas controlled by armed groups such as Al-Shabaab, female journalists face heightened risks, including rape, abduction, and even murder.

In addition, cultural norms and societal attitudes that discourage women from working in the media further restrict their job opportunities and career advancement.

Somali women journalists face unequal treatment in the workplace, including lower pay compared to male colleagues and limited access to training and career development opportunities.

They often lack the necessary support to grow professionally.

In this episode of Baraarug Podcast, we speak with Farhiyo Mohamed Khayre, the Chairperson and founder of the Somali Women Journalists Organization (SWJO), based in Mogadishu. Farhiyo is also a former journalist who worked with local media outlets.

Joining the discussion are three other female journalists who were recently targeted in Mogadishu. They share their personal experiences and the challenges they face while fulfilling their professional duties.

The post Baraarug Podcast 14: The Struggles of Somali Women Journalists appeared first on Kaab TV.

This statement was made by women during an event held tonight in Garowe, organized by the Puntland Electoral Commission, where the five-year roadmap towards achieving full democracy in Puntland was presented.

“We, as women, will not vote for any party that does not place women and youth candidates at the top of its list,” said Hawo Ali, Director of the Department of Culture at the Puntland Ministry of Information, who spoke on behalf of the women attending the meeting.

The women also said they have experienced how the clan-based and nepotistic political system — in which positions are handed out based on kinship — has deprived them of the opportunity to represent their communities.

They stated that this system has failed and is no longer functional, and that real change is needed.

Women’s Quota

The women complained that the 30% quota for women has not been properly implemented, particularly during the 2023 elections in Puntland.

Hawo Ali called for the Puntland Electoral Law to amend the law and include provisions that enforce the inclusion of the women’s quota in the electoral process.

They also urged that women be included in the top ten names on candidate lists for each political party.

“Women and youth represent the highest number of the population and any party that sidelines them will not get votes,” she warned.

Puntland is preparing the ground for its 2029 one-person one-vote poll after holding the first direct elections in 2023.

The post Puntland Women Call for Real Reform and Enforcement of Gender Quota appeared first on Kaab TV.

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.

The post Somali Women Train to Make Coffee and Free Themselves from Exploitation appeared first on Kaab TV.