Three-Day Community Meeting on the Prevention of Violence and Promotion of Women’s Rights The Voice of Somaliland Minority Women Organization (VOSOMWO), in collaboration with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and with support from the German Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), successfully organized a three-day community meeting focused on preventing and responding to violence against women, girls, and other vulnerable people.
The meeting brought together 120 women from Daami, Sheikh Nur, and State House IDP communities in Hargeisa. It provided a safeand inclusive platform for participants to discuss key protection concerns, includi ng rape, domestic violence, and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV) affecting women and vulnerable community members.
The discussions focused on strengthening women’s understanding of their human rights, protection mechanisms, and available services, as well as how and where to seek assistance when their rights are violated. Participants were provided with information on relevant institutions, service providers, and referral mechanisms that can support survivors and vulnerable individuals in accessing appropriate assistance and justice.
The meeting also created an important opportunity for women to openly share their experiences, needs, challenges, and concerns. Participants discussed practical community-led approaches to preventing violence, addressing harmful social norms, strengthening protection mechanisms, and promoting a culture of dignity, equality, and respect.
The three-day meeting further strengthened women’s participation in community decision-making and social development. It highlighted the importance of continued awareness raising, community engagement, and collaboration among women, community leaders, service providers, and relevant institutions to prevent violence and promote the rights, safety, equality, and access to justice of women and vulnerable groups.
VOSOMWO remains committed to empowering minority women and girls and working with partners and communities to build safer,
more inclusive, and rights-based communities across Somaliland.
