Somali Women Association (SWA)
SWA is one of the oldest non-profit, women-led NGOs in Somalia. The organization was founded in 1993 by a group of intellectual Women who united their efforts and resources to help the vulnerable Groups of women, children and the poor people particularly, the internally displaced and the returnees.
What We do?
Somali Women Association (SWA) programs covers various thematic areas that directly affect its target beneficiaries, namely women and children. To date, We have implemented 50 major projects that fill the following categories
Women Empowerment
as Women-Led Organization, SWA is primarily focused on Women Empowerment, specifically on improving access to financial resources, entrepreneurship, and business grants for women. It should enhance vocational training and promote market-relevant skills alongside financial literacy. Increasing girls' access to education, especially in rural areas, and addressing socio-cultural barriers like early marriages is crucial. Advocacy for women’s participation in decision-making and leadership roles should be promoted. Legal reforms to protect women's rights and ensure equal opportunities are also essential for long-term empowerment.
Health
Public health in Somalia has been impacted directly (civil unrest and violence) and indirectly (diseases and/or malnutrition) from both man-made and natural disasters, most acutely since the collapse of the central Somali government in 1990. Most susceptible to the constant threat of concurrent droughts, food insecurity and civil unrest have been the most vulnerable in society, namely women, children, old people and people living in poverty. Malnutrition in Somalia is at a crisis level, and it has been projected by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) that over 900,000 children were faced with acute malnourishment in 2019, a quarter of them likely to be severely affected.
WASH
Health, well-being and social development is closely tied to access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. In the case of Somalia, erratic rainfall, protracted conflict and lack of adequate water sources have created barriers to access. Inadequate access to water, lack of sanitation and poor hygiene have helped to accelerate the increasing rate of disease in Somalia. A strategic, comprehensive approach is required to set up a sustainable water availability system in order to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable populations that are already suffering from other challenges.
LIVELIHOOD
The Somali community is largely dependent on agriculture, livestock and income from remittances. The food security situation has been deteriorating in many rural areas to recurrent droughts. Recurring and drastic climate changes and armed conflict in Somalia have led to the displacement of large populations and disruption of agricultural production as many farmers have been forced off their farms. This will ultimately result in low food production, escalating food prices and dropping of livestock prices resulting in rural unemployment. All these will have direct and indirect consequences for the households in the form of losing their livelihoods and being displaced.
PROTECTION
Our work focus on A protection for women, children, and vulnerable groups in Somalia, specifically on strengthening legal frameworks to address gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, and discrimination. It also advocates for legal reforms that safeguard women's property rights, inheritance laws, and protection from harmful practices like forced marriage and FGM. Providing access to essential services like healthcare, psychosocial support, and legal aid is crucial. Community engagement, including working with religious leaders and elders, can help shift harmful social norms. Lastly, promoting safe spaces and shelters for victims of violence and creating awareness through education and advocacy are vital components.
ُEducation
Education is the cornerstone of any nation. Challenges confronting the education sector are the direct consequence of protracted emergencies over the past two decades stemming from conflict, drought and flooding. Together, the multi-pronged emergencies have had a significant impact on the education systems and on the lives of children and youth in Somalia. The challenges facing the sector are daunting, including lack of access and widespread inequity. In addition, the education provision is of low quality, mainly due to the high number of unqualified and untrained teachers, multiple curricula, poor education infrastructure and weak capacity for service delivery.
Target Populations
wOMEN AND CHILDREN
Somali women and children are among the most marginalized groups in Somalia. Year of conflicts have them target for the armed conflicts.
MINORITIES
Minorities constitute 20% of Somalia's population, SWA works with them to provide humanitarian support.
IDPS AND RETURNEES
Internally displaced persons (IDP) and returnees face substantial challenging in integrating with their new environments. SWA works with them providing life-saving assistances
DISABLED PERSONS
disabled persons are 19% of the general population. they are most overlooked groups in the humanitarian programs in Somalia.
Would you like to start a project with us?
We are one most reputable and effective organizations in Somalia, we welcome partnerships from reputable and like-minded organizations around the world.
Visit us
How to find our Office
Address
KAG ZB 23, Garowe, Puntland, Somalia
Phone
+(252) 90 - 774 7312
+(252) 90 - 77947312
info@swasomalia.org
swasomalia@gmail.com