United Kingdom: The highest officials in the United Kingdom have launched the Gaashan project to support survivors of gender-based violence in Somalia.
Sir Philip Barton, the UK’s top diplomat, launched the Gaashaan project in anticipation of International Women’s Day, along with British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, and Somali Minister for Women, Human Rights and Development, Amina Hassan Ali. This project will provide aid to survivors of gender-based violence in Somalia.
The UK government has committed £15 million to establish Gaashaan, a project aimed at helping survivors of gender-based violence in Somalia. The project, which means “shield” in Somali, will run for four years and will benefit over 117,000 people.
It will provide improved access to specialised protection services and empower grassroots communities and women’s rights organisations to prevent gender-based and other forms of violence against women. The project will also address child protection concerns. Somalia faces additional challenges due to conflict and climate change.
The launch event featured a roundtable conference on women’s political empowerment and their rights in Somalia. The conference was chaired by Ifrah Noor, the Editor-in-Chief of Bilan Media. The event also recognised the contributions of Women’s Rights Organisations towards mitigating the risks faced by women and children in Somalia.
Ifrah Noor said that, “Women’s participation in political spaces can only be fully achieved if proper accommodations are made. We have to finance, equip and train women to be influential leaders and to turn our words into action.”
Various partners working on a project, such as Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee, CARE, Save Somali Women and Children, Somali Women and Development Centre, Somali Women’s Studies Centre, and Gargaar Relief and Development Organisation, addressed the guests and shared information about the positive impact of the project. The project is already making a significant difference in the lives of people throughout the country.
Mike Nithavrianakis stated that, “As we prepare to mark International Women’s Day, it was fantastic to welcome Minister Amina Hassan Ali and partners to launch our flagship women and girls programme – Gaashaan.”
According to Nithavrianakis, the Gaashaan programme will have a tangible impact on the lives of Somali women and girls, addressing the impacts of climate shocks and conflict by offering support to survivors of gender-based violence.
“We are very pleased with the UK’s support in protecting Somali women and children. On behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia, the Ministry of Women, Human Rights and Development is delighted to commemorate International Women’s Day with the launch of Gaashaan project,” Amina Hassan Ali remarked.
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