International Women’s Day Event Strengthens Coordination on GBV and SRH in Somalia

On 8 March 2026, BADEF Foundation, together with the Ministry of Health of the Federal Government of Somalia, successfully convened an International Women’s Day event at Decale Hotel in Mogadishu. The engagement was organised through the Office of the Ministry’s Director General, Naima Abdulkadir, and brought together 62 participants representing government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and community leadership structures.

The event focused on strengthening coordination around Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in Somalia. It provided a platform for stakeholders working in these areas to exchange experiences, discuss existing challenges and identify opportunities for stronger collaboration.

Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Health, both chambers of Parliament, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNIDO, alongside international NGOs, including CESVI and T5, female religious leaders and a broad representation of Somali civil society organisations.

A major focus of the discussions was the need for stronger collaboration between institutions involved in GBV prevention, survivor support and SRH service delivery. Participants shared experiences from their respective areas of work and identified gaps affecting the effectiveness and accessibility of services.

The discussions explored practical approaches to improving referral systems, strengthening policy implementation, enhancing community engagement, and developing more effective coordination mechanisms among government institutions, development partners, civil society and community actors.

The event was characterised by active discussions and meaningful stakeholder participation, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening the protection, rights and dignity of women and girls in Somalia.

By convening diverse stakeholders around GBV and SRH, the International Women’s Day event reinforced the importance of coordinated and multisectoral responses to challenges affecting women and girls. It also provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships among institutions and organisations working to improve prevention, survivor support, health services and community-level responses.

For BADEF Foundation, the engagement reflects its continued commitment to supporting collaboration, community participation and stronger systems that contribute to the wellbeing and protection of women and girls across Somalia .