The importance of protecting internally displaced women and children from gender-based violence was highlighted today at a United Nations-supported roundtable discussion in Mogadishu.
Organised by the Organisation for Somalis Protection and Development (OSPAD), the event aimed to raise awareness about sexual and gender-based violence among internally displaced people (IDPs) in Somalia, and encourage survivors to seek assistance. It was part of the activities held to mark the recent 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign that ended on 10 December.
“It is critical to raise public awareness of sexual and gender-based violence,” said Fardowsa Abdi Ibrahim, a Human Rights Officer with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). “A lack of knowledge, however, hinders the creation of awareness. There are a number of challenges survivors face, including not knowing where to seek services and facing difficulties in identifying the perpetrators.”
The roundtable discussion was attended by 70 participants representing communities living in IDP camps, civil society organisations, and traditional elders within the Banadir region, all of whom shared views, challenges and solutions to address gender-based violence in their communities.
