A Safe Space for Women

Text and photos: Päivi Arvonen

In Ethiopia’s Somali region, women are offered peer support, training, and a chance to relax for a moment over coffee or handicrafts in a space accessible only to women and girls. A project worker or mentor is always present.

The freshly painted walls of the small building with a red tin roof shine in the sunlight. A message on the wall speaks of efforts to end female genital mutilation and all violence against women and girls.

Inside, soft cushions line the walls, inviting people to sit down. Red velvet curtains give the space a festive atmosphere. Four women are deeply engaged in conversation. Hands gesture in the air, voices rise at times, and laughter bursts out, briefly interrupting the discussion. Even though the topic is the challenges women face in the Somali community, there is still joy in everyday life—especially when women can talk openly with one another in a safe space, without the pressure of what men might think of their words. Only women and girls are allowed inside this house.

We have too little of our own, let alone our own common space to chat or get help from.
– Halima Ahmed

“I was immediately excited when I heard about this activity. I want to help women and work to reduce female genital mutilation,” says Ubah Abdi, 30. She is a midwife by profession and has seen the harsh consequences of FGM in her work. At the women’s safe space, Abdi volunteers as a mentor.

There are many challenges in a woman’s life

“We still occasionally come across women who have undergone the most severe forms of female genital mutilation, but fortunately that form is becoming less common. We hope the practice will completely end soon, although milder forms of FGM are still widespread, as many people consider them a religious obligation,” says Abdi.

In addition to female genital mutilation, domestic and intimate partner violence is a common issue for women in the region.

“Fortunately, rape cases are decreasing slightly. However, not all cases are reported, and marital rape is not considered a crime here,” says Hodan Mahdi.

Mahdi works for CAAP (Community Action Against Poverty), International Solidarity Foundations’ (ISF) partner organization, and is responsible for the operations of the women’s safe space.

“We face many problems. Men’s unemployment forces women to provide for the family, often as small-scale entrepreneurs. Women are also responsible for taking care of the home and children, fetching water, and cooking. There’s hardly any free time,” says mentor Nimco Abdullahi, 31.

The third mentor present is Halima Ahmed, 55.

“It’s important that mentors are of different ages because, according to our culture, women generally talk about their problems only with women of the same age,” Ahmed explains.

“I wanted to volunteer because this house is dedicated solely to women. We have very little that belongs to us, let alone a shared space where we can talk or get help,” she says.

One major issue the mentors highlight is early marriage. In rural areas, girls may marry as young as 13 or 14—and become mothers at 14 or 15.

Early marriage puts an end to a girl’s education, which, according to Ahmed, is unfortunately very common, especially in rural villages.

Education, hobbies, and peer support

The women’s safe space opened in early April. The goal is to provide women with education on health, mental well-being, hygiene, and especially gender-based violence and the fight against female genital mutilation.

“This is a safe, male-free space where women can simply come and spend time. They can play games or do handicrafts here. You’re welcome to come even if you’re not facing any immediate problem,” says Hodan Mahdi.

The safe space is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and there is always at least one mentor present.

“If needed, we arrange for a professional to come and talk with the women or refer them to another helping professional,” Mahdi explains.

Information about the space is spread through community councils and home visits. A brochure about the safe space has also been created.

Some men are doubtful

In Somali culture, a woman is expected to be a good daughter, wife, and mother who stays at home taking care of household chores and cooking. A space meant only for women has caused confusion among some men in the area.

“Some men are satisfied, some are doubtful, and some even talk about a conspiracy against men,” Mahdi says with a laugh.

She emphasizes that educating men is very important, especially in the fight against female genital mutilation.

“However, this space is a women’s kingdom, and men are not allowed to enter,” Mahdi states.

The women’s safe space is a completely new model in ISF’s work in Ethiopia. The first safe space is located in Dharwanaaje, the capital of the Harawa region, which has about 20,000 inhabitants. There are plans to build at least two more safe spaces in the rural villages of the area.

“In this work, as in our other activities, we focus on prevention. The safe space is not a shelter where one could stay overnight. We are eagerly developing this new and unique model,” says Tesfaye Nigusu, ISF’s country director for Ethiopia.