On Saturday, 8 March 2025, a high-level event was held in Mogadishu to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD). This celebration was one of many events organized across Somalia and around the world, bringing together hundreds of people, organizations, and institutions from both government and civil society. In Mogadishu, women and young girls with diverse impairments organized a special gathering at the Somali Disability Network (SDN) office. The event brought together more than 20 participants primarily women and girls with disabilities, as well as non-disabled women including social workers, students, and professionals. The theme for IWD 2025, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality.” highlighted the ongoing global struggle for gender equality and underscored the importance of ensuring that women and girls with disabilities in Somalia are fully recognized, respected, and included.
Objectives
- To celebrate the contributions, resilience, and leadership of women and girls in Somalia, including those with disabilities.
- To raise awareness about the rights of women and girls with diverse impairments and promote equal participation in all aspects of society.
- To strengthen solidarity among women’s groups, disability organizations, social workers, students, and community leaders.
- To advocate for equal opportunities, protection from discrimination, and inclusion in education, employment, and decision-making spaces.
Discussion
Participants discussed the ongoing challenges faced by women and girls with disabilities, who continue to experience discrimination, unequal access to education and healthcare, and limited involvement in leadership and economic opportunities. Many emphasized that this year’s theme reflects a strong demand for equal rights for all women, regardless of ability. The conversation highlighted the need for stronger support systems, inclusive public policies, and community awareness to ensure that women and girls with diverse impairments are not left behind. Participants also shared personal stories, professional insights, and recommendations for strengthening women’s empowerment in Somalia, noting that true equality cannot be achieved without addressing the unique barriers faced by women with disabilities.
Call to Action
- Promote gender equality that fully includes women and girls with disabilities in all sectors of society.
- Strengthen national legislation and policies to protect the rights of women and girls and eliminate all forms of discrimination.
- Expand access to inclusive education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities for women with diverse impairments.
- Increase community awareness to challenge stigma, harmful cultural attitudes, and barriers that marginalize women and girls.
- Support women-led and disability-led organizations through funding, capacity building, and collaboration.
- Ensure representation of women with disabilities in decision-making processes at local and national levels.
- Encourage government institutions, NGOs, and international partners to prioritize inclusive gender programs and commitments.
