BALADWEYNE, Somalia – Supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and financed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has established two one-stop centres in Beledweyne and Baidoa to address gender-based violence (GBV). This programme forms part of the project titled “Saving Lives, Fostering Resilience: Providing Lifesaving and Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence Services in Humanitarian Settings in Africa”, which focuses on delivering critical support services and promoting social awareness in conflict-affected regions of Somalia.
A key component of the project is the provision of integrated services, including medical care, psychosocial counselling and legal aid, ensuring that survivors of GBV receive holistic support in a safe and secure environment. Recognising the crucial role of public awareness in combating GBV, NUSOJ has employed a media-driven approach to complement the services offered at the centres. In collaboration with Wadani Radio, a prominent broadcaster in Beledweyne, the programme has effectively disseminated key information on GBV prevention and available support services to a wide audience.
Rahma Hassan Mohamed, NUSOJ’s Gender Officer and leader of the initiative, highlighted the effectiveness of combining media outreach with professional care. “We have created a platform where survivors feel heard and communities are becoming more aware of how to respond to GBV. Our ongoing commitment is to expand these services and strengthen our advocacy efforts across Somalia,” she explained.
Reports from the Beledweyne centre indicate that media broadcasts have significantly contributed to the increased number of survivors seeking support. “Radio programmes have helped break the silence on GBV, encouraging people who were previously hesitant to come forward,” said Isse Musse, a staff member at the centre. Despite logistical challenges such as limited resources, cultural taboos and regional instability, the centres continue to provide essential services, thanks to the dedication of NUSOJ and the support of committed professionals.
Mukhtar Mohamed Atosh, a Voice of America (VOA) correspondent in Baidoa and NUSOJ’s Secretary for Training and Education, emphasised the media’s transformative role in changing public perceptions of GBV. “By openly addressing sensitive topics like GBV on public platforms, we are dismantling harmful taboos and inspiring survivors to seek assistance,” he remarked.
This initiative, which blends direct service provision with targeted media advocacy, has earned praise from Omar Alasow, the District Commissioner of Beledweyne, for its role in improving community resilience and fostering a more supportive environment for GBV survivors.
NUSOJ, with continued support from UNFPA and KOICA, plans to replicate this model in other vulnerable regions, further reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of women and girls in Somalia.
