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Somaliland

Six projects, years of experience and a lust to create a better life for women in Somaliland.

Our work in Somaliland

Somaliland is pestered with poverty and extreme weather phenomena, and its food security is one of the worst in the world.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a serious problem in the area, as nearly all girls between the ages of 2 and 14 undergo the procedure.

Our work in Somaliland focuses on improving the resilience of food production and ending FGM. We build trust and respect among the community members through the entry point of economic empowerment.

Preventing violence against women and girls

Social and moral norms upholding harmful practices and VAWG must be challenged by trusted people with authority. ISF sensitizes moral duty bearers and encourages them to raise their voice against harmful practices and VAWG (violence against women and girls).

ISF also aspires changes in legal norms to address impunity that is a major factor upholding VAWG. ISF sensitizes judicial duty bearers about VAWG, and supports them to establish and enforce coordination mechanisms, policies, and action plans.

Promoting women’s livelihood

Women often manage their livelihoods in isolation, which prevents them from risk sharing and unlocking the potential of joint investments and contracting, as well as participation in multi-actor development and innovation processes.

ISF supports women to organise in self-help-groups, cooperatives, and other collective business models, and strengthens their capacity to lead and manage these groups. It improves women’s access to training, advisory services and technology, and increases their participation in problem solving forums.

Our projects in Somaliland

Network against FGM in Somaliland (NAFIS) –Community-driven FGM abandonment and women empowerment

NAFIS is ISF implementing partner in the 2020-22 project funded by UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.

The project aims to save altogether 11 260 girls from FGM, particularly the most severe pharaonic cutting, and to empower 13 500 vulnerable women in the internally displaced people’s (IDP) communities to identify and claim for their right to bodily integrity.

Agriculture Development Organization (ADO) – Strengthening women’s livelihood for economic development and climate change adaptation 

The project planning phase takes place in January-June 2022. The planning phase consists of the following participatory planning tools: problem and objective workshops, climate vulnerability and capacity analysis, value chain actor mapping and analysis, environmental impact assessment screening, possible feasibility assessment, and VAWG and gender norm analysis. After the data collection phase, the project team finalizes the project plan as well as activity plan and budget.

The project implementation starts earliest in July 2022.

Somaliland Youth and Development Voluntary Organization (SOYDAVO) – Entrenching community mechanisms to mitigate SGBV/FGM

The project planning phase takes place in January-June 2022. The planning phase consists of the following participatory planning tools: problem and objective workshops and VAWG and gender norm analysis. After the data collection phase, the project team finalizes the project plan as well as activity plan and budget for the first implementation period.

The project implementation starts earliest in July 2022.

Somaliland Youth PEER Education Network (Y-PEER) – Zero tolerance to sexual and gender-based violence, FGM and gender inequality

The project planning phase takes place in January-June 2022. The planning phase consists of the following participatory planning tools: problem and objective workshops and VAWG and gender norm analysis. After the data collection phase, the project team finalizes the project plan as well as activity plan and budget for the first implementation period.

The project implementation starts earliest in July 2022.

Barwaaqo Voluntary Organization (BVO) – Reducing all forms of sexual and gender-based violence

The project planning phase takes place in March-December 2022. The planning phase consists of the following participatory planning tools: problem and objective workshops and VAWG and gender norm analysis. After the data collection phase, the project team finalizes the project plan as well as activity plan and budget for the first implementation period.

The project implementation starts earliest in January 2023.

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