What is SOMWA’s relationship with other international organizations?

SOMWA has partnered with a few international organisations, such as IREX (International research and exchange Board) . We worked with them to create a Media Advocacy Project in Supporting Media and Civil Society in Somalia and Somaliland. SOMWA has also partnered with CARE International in creating a Media Women Empowerment Project.

2. How has political unrest impacted SOMWA’s ability to partner with international organizations?

For some international organizations, it has been difficult to partner with SOMWA or any other Somali organization. This is because Al-Shabaab has banned them from working in the country. When Al-Shabaab was banning CARE activities in Somalia, SOMWA was about to complete its activities and projects, so it did not impact us that much. SOMWA is not stopping their work, and they continue to keep in touch with NGOs, but there are still some groups that are unable to partner with local NGOs in Somalia because of Al-Shabaab.

3. What involvement does SOMWA want with the international community?

SOMWA needs support and funding from other international organizations. SOMWA is also interested in partnering with other organizations (for programs) as well.

4. What are the types of projects that SOMWA wants to collaborate on internationally?

Development, media empowerment, and particularly expanding the role of women in the media.

5. How as political unrest impacted SOMWA’s work?

The political unrest has greatly impacted us, and we can’t work in some regions because the groups don’t allow women to work. Despite this, we still organize training workshops. We have had media advocacy trainings and workshops, where 100 female journalists and members of civil society participated. We still implement workshops in Mogadishu, despite restrictions. In the future, we are planning to have more workshops on women’s empowerment and advocacy.

6. What is the nature of your partnerships (locally and abroad)?

We have a good relationship with both local and organizations abroad. We look towards the international community for support. We work with other organizations in the region as well.

7. What are some of the projects you would like to create in the future?

SOMWA wants to continue with capacity building programs, and also expand the types of workshops that it conducts. We want to create different programs, involving advocacy and lobbying, and we need far more resources to do that. Ideally, SOMWA would like to create a network for Somali women in the media, and other organizations dedicated to women.

8. What are some of the challenges for SOMWA, particularly in trying to promote more advocacy?

At the moment, it is not safe to be an activist, and this causes difficulties for local NGOs. This is because NGOs face more challenges with political groups in the country. They may be harassed, jailed, or even killed for their jobs.

9. Advocacy requires more visibility, what are some of the challenges particularly pertaining to advocacy?

Women have less representation, and don’t have rights. Women are marginalised because of it.

10. Marian, since you are in the UK, does this make leading SOMWA more difficult?

I have been leading SOMWA from abroad for about two years. It is not hard, it can be lead in the same way, because all the members and organization are based there, and they are doing what they can to operate normally. All they want from me is to give them permission to go ahead.

11. What are your plans in the future for SOMWA, as a leader from abroad?

In the future, I would like to be able to have an office in London, so that I can support SOMWA more from UK, and show more organizations here the work we are doing back home. Also, here in UK we have more opportunity and freedom than in Somalia.

12. What are your responsibilities?

My responsibility is to preside over SOMWA Executive Board meetings, community Delegates/Board meetings and general meetings, and make all necessary arrangements for those meetings. Part of my responsibility is to build a good relationship with other organizations locally and internationally.

13. Tell me more about more about the participants of SOMWA’s workshop?

Our workshops have been successful, as more women are interested in being a journalist, and also learned more about journalism from SOMWA’s trainings. Some are now working in the media. The participants appreciated SOMWA for conducting the workshop and pledged that they will share the lesson with their counterparts who have not had the opportunity to attend similar workshops. They have also promised that they will advise their media counterparts to apply what they have learned from the workshop to advocate for solving part of the dilemma experienced by the public.

14. Why is the media so important?

The media is so important because people get more information from it. In Somalia, the media is mostly independently and owned by individuals. People listen to the local radio before they go outside of their home. This is because there is a war going every day, so that is why media is so important. Many journalists die for their jobs, because of some of these struggles.

15. What is your priority?

Our priority is a free media, but also women’s rights. We want more involvement in the media, in order to increase women’s rights or their VOICEs to be heard. SOMWA is a part of trying to expand the role of women in the media, and while things are happening slowly, they are still changing. Before, women had less involvement in activities, and that is changing. International organizations are helping facilitate support in order to reach this goal. Increasing the rights of women in Somalia is accomplished through increasing presence in politics, social issues and the media.

16. Why is are your training workshops really important?

A lot of women want to get involved in the political system as well, and really can’t get involved. Training is really important, because it really facilitates change. For example, through training and workshops, FGM in Somalia has been reduced. We’ve involved the religious community in our organizations. We’ve brought Imams on the panels to work with us. Sometimes, for politics, it is difficult to bring imams in.

17. What are some opportunities you would like to have for SOMWA?

We would like to be able to take advantage of online resources like digital meetings, and we would like to use that as a platform. Having more online meetings will help us engage more with the international community

Submitted on 02/04/2011
in Somalia Empowerment [fund] promotion and application of religious laws [fund] resisting fundamentalisms.

Source: WLUML

Friday, 31 December, 2010 – With the support of IREX, the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) has implemented a three- day training workshop on media advocacy for targeted Somali women journalists and the civil society organizations in Mogadishu, Somalia.

The training workshop was implemented at Ambassador Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia from 28 – 30 December 2010.

The workshops was part of series of programs implemented by the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) particularly aiming to promote the capacity of the Somali women journalists and the civil society organizations in media advocacy and lobbying.

Thirty – five persons, selected from the various women journalists and civil society organization working in Mogadishu were the main participants of the three – day media capacity building training workshop.

The main topics covered during the workshop sessions facilitated by Ms. Khadija Ahmed Abukar were Advocacy, Problem analysis, Net-working, fund raising and negotiation skills through the media.

In conclusion, Ms.Yasmin Mayow, and Sheikh Omar Herow, Director of Radio Tusmo speaking on behalf of the participants appreciated SOMWA for conducting the workshop and pledged that they will share the lesson with their counterparts who have not got the opportunity to attend similar workshop.

They have also promised that they will advise their media counterparts to apply what they have learned from the workshop to advocate for solving the dilemma experienced by the public.

Furthermore, Prof. Abdullahi Hassan Jama, Chairman of the National Committee of the Constitution expressed his pleasure to have such number of women journalists in respect that previously they were less in that profession and commended SOMWA and IREX for conducting the workshop.

He confirmed that they will cooperate with the media in relation with the activities regarding to the draft constitution.

About one hundred persons mostly women have benefited from the media advocacy capacity building workshops which has been in progress since November 2010.

The workshops has been conducted by SOMWA with the support of the International Research and Exchange Board (IREX)

The Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) is one of the few associations established to empower women journalists and the civil society organizations to promote their role in promoting and advocating for peace and human rights issues in Somalia through the media.

I had the images of perpetual civil war, insurgent groups, and turmoil on my mind when I was on my way to meet Marian Zeila, a 25 year old Somalian woman that started an organization called Somali Media Women’s Association (SOMWA). In the face of such uncertainty, Zeila is part of a generation of Somalian women trying to promote gender equality and improve the position of women.

As a 21-year-old woman in Baidoa, Zeila established the organization in an effort to increase the presence of women in Somali media. Their work is not limited to the media: their goal is also to increase the role of women in decision-making roles, as well as capacity building. SOMWA is a part of demonstrating a need to prioritize gender equality within Somalia. They have held training workshops and have worked with local religious leaders to change cultural perspectives about women working, and being more visible in the media.

Now 25 and living in London, Zeila was able to have a conversation with me about her plans for herself, and her work with SOMWA. While political unrest has made things difficult for many women’s organizations in Somalia, Zeila continues her work from abroad.

Sara for Muslimah Media Watch: Marian, tell me more about SOMWA’s work and efforts.

Marian Zeila: At home, I worked with local radio. Women face problems in the media, and we wanted to build capacity, increase the skills and rights of women. We implemented workshops in order to empower women to go forth and work in the media. We also published a magazine called, “Voice of Women.”

MMW: What are some of the challenges that SOMWA has faced?

MZ: In some regions, women are not allowed to work, and our offices have moved from my hometown of Baidoa to the capital, Mogadishu. We are still conducting workshops, but some of the political unrest makes it difficult.

MMW: Does SOMWA do work outside of the media?

MZ: We used to work against violence against women, with a network based in Uganda called the TBV network. We would send reports, publish documents, and conduct research. SOMWA is the most active women’s organisation in Somalia right now.

MMW: What is the relationship of SOMWA with the Muslim community?

MZ: SOMWA has a good relationship with some religious leaders. SOMWA invites them to speak on panels or on the radio.

MMW: What are your plans for SOMWA in the future?

MZ: We are working on the website, and creating more efforts, as well as engaging more on the international level. As time goes on, we want to work on increasing the presence of women in politics, and increasing the role of women in the decision making process.

In partnership with the French retail chain Fnac, Reporters Without Borders has awarded its 2010 Press Freedom Prize to two symbols of courage, the jailed Iranian journalist Abdolreza Tajik and the embattled Somali news radio station Radio Shabelle.

The awards were presented at ceremony hosted by journalist Elizabeth Tchoungui at the Foreign Press Reception Centre (CAPE) in Paris last night.

“This prize comes at time when the press is experiencing difficulties,” Reporters Without Borders president Dominique Gerbaud said, opening the ceremony. “This is the case in France. It is also the case in Côte d’Ivoire, where the population is currently being denied access to foreign TV news stations. Describing Reporters Without Borders’ regular activities, he cited its responses to recent incidents in Greece, Tunisia, Afghanistan and Venezuela.

“The freedom to report the news and the public’s right to receive it are under greater threat than ever,” said lawyer Gisèle Halimi, France’s former ambassador to UNESCO and a former member of the National Assembly, presenting the 2010 Journalist of the Year award. “Protecting and promoting media freedom, like the defence of women’s rights, helps to advance the freedoms of an entire society.”

“This year we are honouring a courageous journalist, Abdolreza Tajik, and a beleaguered radio station, Radio Shabelle,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard said. “These laureates work into two countries, Iran and Somalia, where reporting the news is a constant battle.”

Jailed for the third time on 12 June of this year, Tajik is still detained. Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi, the head of the Tehran-based Human Rights Defenders Centre, received the 2010 Journalist of the Year award on his behalf.

Thanking all those who defend free speech in Iran, Ebadi said: “I regret that Abdolreza is not here to receive this award in person. His only crime has been to write, to write the truth. For doing that, he is being held in solitary confinement in Evin prison, without his lawyer being able to see him or have access to his case file. Abdolreza is a symbol of resistance in Iran, and he is not the only one. I hope he will be here next year to meet you.”

Tajik was chosen for his reporting and his commitment to the defence of press freedom in Iran. A member of the Human Rights Defenders Centre and a determined free speech activist, he worked as political editor on many of the newspapers that have been closed by the authorities, such as Fateh (closed by the authorities in 2000), Bahar (closed in 2001), Bonyan (closed in 2002), Hambastegi (closed in 2003) and Shargh (closed in 2008). He often writes about free speech violations and arbitrary arrests of journalists.

Presenting the 2010 Media of the Year prize to Mogadishu-based Radio Shabelle, writer Jean-Christophe Rufin, France’s former ambassador to Senegal and Gambia, praised the work of Reporters Without Borders’ local correspondents and all journalists working on the ground in difficult regions.

Somalia’s most respected privately-owned radio station, Radio Shabelle is also the most exposed to violence. Constantly harassed by the radical Islamist militias that are fighting the transitional government, it struggles to survive amid the chaos.

“It is an immense honour to receive this prize,” said Ali Abdi, Shabelle Media Network’s head of international relations, who accepted the prize with emotion on behalf of his colleagues at Radio Shabelle. “It recognizes not just our own work but also the courage of all Somali journalists and Somali civil society.

“In our country, where chaos reigns and the armed Islamist militias want to silence us, we take great risks to report the news. Five of our journalists have been killed in the past three years, including two station managers, and around 100 have fled the country for safety reasons. But we will not be intimidated. We are determined to continue our struggle for independent journalists and respect for human rights.”

The Reporters Without Borders Prize has been awarded every since 1992 to a journalist and a news media in different parts of the world that have made a significant contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom. The prize winners are selected by an international jury of journalists and human rights activists.

Speaking on behalf of Reporters Without Borders’ partner in the Press Freedom Prize, Fnac executive committee member Isabelle Saviane said: “Fnac regards itself as an actor in society and as a media in its own right, and intends to play a role alongside NGOs such as Reporters Without Borders. Social involvement is an integral part of Fnac’s DNA and therefore its economic model. And we are going to propose new joint actions with Reporters Without Borders in 2011.”

Thirty participants selected from the media and the civil society organizations were the main persons attending in the seminar, which was the second of its type and funded by the International Research and Exchange Board (IREX).

One of the lessons learned at the seminar was how to analyze impasses, and look for solution, establish associations, and at same time raise funding to conduct advocacy aiming to address the problems experienced by the community or intending to bring about change in the current prevailing situation.]

The seminar was jointly facilitated by Dr. Hersi Haji Ulusow and Mohamed Hassan Asir, and they have deeply detailed the contents of the main topics of the seminar on advocacy and lobbying. The facilitators have used the simple training methodologies which has made possible for the participants to present debates and experience sharing.

The participants have expressed their appreciation to the Somali Women Journalist Association (SOMWA) that has organized the seminar. The participants have also mentioned that they have taken advantage of the seminar lessons and said they will apply in their profession.

In conclusion, Ms. Asisa Abdi Ali, the Deputy Chairwoman of SOMWA in her closing remarks pointed out that this seminar is not the first time they are holding this type of seminar, which is upgrading the knowledge and capacity of the women journalists and those from the Somali civil society organizations, and added that other seminars will be conducted in future.

Ms. Asisa mentioned that SOMWA was established in 2006 and is operational in the regions of southern Somalia, and was founded to support the Somali women, especially women journalists experiencing many problems, and has expressed gratitude to IREX for providing support in conducing this seminar.

The seminar was concluded in good environment and the participants thanked to Somali media Women Association (SOMWA) and IREX in cooperating to conduct such seminar.

Hassan, a senior correspondent and writer for BBC World Service and The Associated Press, has been called the “voice of the voiceless.”

While many media professionals have been killed on the job in Somalia and many others have fled, Hassan has remained despite efforts by the government and insurgent groups to silence the media.

“Being a reporter in Somalia is a matter of death and life. There’s always danger. Self-censorship is an important part. You don’t know who your enemy is,” said Hassan who wore a light blue suit inspired by the Somali flag.

The Lyons award is presented to an individual, group or institution involved in communication that displays conscience and integrity.

Each year, the class of journalists selected for fellowships by Harvard’s Nieman Foundation for Journalism chooses whether to present the award. The Nieman Fellow class of 2011 had several meetings throughout September and October discussing candidates, who came from seven countries.

They narrowed the selection to three finalists, including Claudia J. Duque, a journalist covering human rights issues in Colombia, Ahman Zeidabadi, an Iranian journalist who has faced multiple arrests, and Hassan. Hassan won in a runoff vote.

“We see many journalists as ‘Indiana Joneses,’ who travel to foreign nations to report. This award recognizes Mohamed as a reporter who has worked domestically and is a true hero,” said Gwen Thompkins, a member of the Nieman Fellows class of 2011 who nominated Hassan.

Hassan said he wanted to be a journalist since his childhood. He started his career writing for the Xog-Ogaal newspaper in Mogadishu in 2001 and became Somali Television Network’s chief Mogadishu correspondent in 2002. The next year, he began reporting for the BBC and The Associated Press.

“Journalists in Somalia must be courageous. It’s not a business, but a dangerous job,” Hassan said.

James M. Fallows ’70, a national correspondent for The Atlantic and a former president of The Crimson, was the keynote speaker.

“I knew of [Hassan’s] reporting and have seen many journalists take physical hardships. It’s important for the Western world to recognize them.”

Abdifatah Jama Mire, director of Horsed Media, was arrested in mid-August after broadcasting a radio interview with Islamist commander Mohamed Said Atam whose militants are fighting the Puntland administration in Galgala area.

Mire was released on Monday after Puntland president Abdirahman Sheik Mohamed issued a statement pardoning him.

Puntland president forgave the journalist and he has been officially released from the prison in Bossaso where he was kept since August.

Shukri Nur Ali 18 year old female journalist has been suffering from mental illness since earlier last year, when a phone call threat from unknown group, forced to give up her work as radio journalist.

Shukri was a presenter for a private broadcast; Somaliweyn based in Mogadishu before suffering from mental disorder. She started her job as a reporter and then turned into a presenter for Children’s entertainment program.

“She has received an anonymous phone call death threats. She was compelled to give up her profession as a journalist. Although we told the case of my daughter to many people no one answered but now we hope we are hoping that international attention and action can help my little one to get help and treatment” Nur Ali Aynte the father of Shukri’s father told SOFCA.

The father added that his daughter has been showing sings of nightmare and insomnia before completely falling into this mental disorder.

“She does not sleep enough at night and always keens with fearful nightmares. She some times shouts with words like “Do not kill me,” “stop shooting and others,” said her father

The Press Freedom Group SOFCA has appealed from the all well-wishers to assist this young journalist to get over from her illness.

“We bless her and ask God to give her personal strength and conscience and call for those causing similar problems to the journalists to refrain from this hostile inhuman threats,” said the deputy chairman of the group Abdul-wahid Sheek

By SOFCA Office in Mogadishu

A last-second phone call spared Hussein’s life. His family had paid an $18,000 ransom. After the attack he fled to Uganda, leaving behind his wife and three children.

“I’m the luckiest person in the world. I sometimes feel like I’m in a dream,” Hussein said of last year’s escape. “I don’t think there is someone whose throat was put, like mine, to a sharp knife and survived, especially in Somalia.”

Hussein is part of an exodus of African journalists who have fled dangerous conditions in their home countries, according to a report last week by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.

African reporters are fleeing their home countries after being assaulted, threatened or imprisoned – often by militants, sometimes even by the government – an exodus that leaves a deep void in professional reporting.

“The starkest examples are in the Horn of Africa nations of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, where dozens of journalists have been forced into exile,” said CPJ’s Africa Program coordinator Tom Rhodes. “Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and the Gambia have also lost large segments of the local press corps in the face of intimidation and violence.”

Nine journalists were killed in Somalia last year, making the country the second deadliest in which to be a journalist, according to the CPJ report. The Philippines was the deadliest country last year, with 32 deaths.

The CPJ report said violence against journalists in Somalia has surpassed hotspots such as Iraq and Afghanistan. It cited an estimate by the Union of Exiled Somali Journalists that 80 Somali reporters have been forced into exile over the last three years. CPJ itself says at least 30 journalists have fled in the last decade.

Hussein may have escaped execution eight months ago in Mogadishu, but now he is afraid of the challenges he faces in Kenya, his current residence.

“I can’t dare go back to Somalia. I can’t dare stay here. I need advice,” said Hussein, who was the southern and central Somali director for the satellite station Universal TV when he was seized last June as he drove to work.

Somalia’s chaos has dragged on for nearly two decades. For the last three years, the conflict has pitted Islamist insurgents against the weak, U.N.-backed government forces who are holed up in small area of the capital.

Because of the dangers, few international journalists report from Somalia, depriving it of the international media attention that can shine a light on the severe living conditions many Somalis face.

Just last week, Ali Yusuf Adan of Radio Somaliweyn was abducted by gunmen from the al-Shabab militia after he reported that militants had killed a man for being late to a prayer session, Somaliweyn Radio director Abukar Kalaf said.

Somali journalists as a rule must be extra vigilant when moving around Mogadishu.

“I’m always alert, extra vigilant. I barely leave the well-protected compound of the presidential palace where my office is,” said journalist Abdullahi Kulmiye, who works for the government-controlled Radio Mogadishu.

Although fleeing to a foreign country may offer a reprieve, journalists then must navigate cultural, lingual and legal obstacles, said the CPJ report.

Journalist Bashir Diriye Naleye was arrested by the Somali government in 2007 after asking critical questions to former President Abdullahi Yusuf’s spokesman. He has since fled to Uganda, leaving behind eight children and a wife.

“I’m leading a miserable life as a refugee in Uganda,” said Naleye.

The director of the Somaliweyn Abukar Hassan Kadaf, said on Wednesday that he fears for the safety of the reporter, “We have a great concern about Ali’s safety. We had contacted with Alshabab information officials but all they could tell us was that the journalist was held in prison in Merka port town,” said the Somaliweyn director according to SOFCA news release.

Mr. Kalaf said that since the journalist was abducted on Saturday no one heard from him.
“We are not sure if he is dead or alive. We do not know about his personal condition even if he is alive,” said the director

The motive behind the journalist’s arrest is unknown. The journalist was arrested on Saturday after disseminating reports about a man killed by Alshabab militants in the Wanlaweyn district for being tardy to a mandatory prayer session and gun battle between two rival Al-Shabab militias in the same area.

“We are very worried about the safety of our colleague Ali Yusuf. We demand safe return of the journalist” Marin Zeila SOMWA chairperson said as she called for an immediate release of the journalist.