The Voice of Somaliland Minority Women Organization (VOSOMWO) conducted a community awareness and dialogue session in Daami IDP Settlement, Hargeisa, aimed at preventing and responding to violence against vulnerable populations, particularly women, girls, children, persons with disabilities, and minority communities.
The meeting brought together members of the Daami and Sheikh Nur IDP community committees, women leaders, youth representatives, religious leaders, social workers, and other community members. Participants discussed the different forms of violence affecting vulnerable groups, including gender-based violence (GBV), domestic violence, child abuse, and harmful traditional practices, as well as their negative impacts on individuals, families, and the wider community.
The session emphasized the importance of community participation in preventing violence, promoting respect for human rights, and protecting the dignity, safety, and well-being of women, girls, and other vulnerable groups. Participants were also sensitized on GBV prevention, available referral pathways, survivor support services, and the shared responsibility of families, community leaders, and institutions in preventing and responding to violence.
Special attention was given to strengthening community-based protection mechanisms, promoting women’s and girls’ rights, and encouraging survivors to seek appropriate medical, psychosocial, legal, and protection services. Community members were encouraged to challenge harmful social norms, report incidents of violence, and work collectively to build safe, inclusive, and violence-free communities.
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from participants to continue raising awareness, supporting survivors, and promoting peaceful coexistence based on equality, mutual respect, accountability, and social inclusion.
This activity was organized by the Voice of Somaliland Minority Women Organization (VOSOMWO) with the support of Plan International and funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community awareness, improve protection mechanisms, and enhance the rights and well-being of women, girls, minority communities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other vulnerable populations in Somaliland.
