Project Spotlight: “Voices of Resilience”

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    "Women Lead" Advocacy (Somalia, 2023): Empowering Change Through Communication

    The "Women Lead" Advocacy project, launched in 2023 by Horn of Africa Communication for Development Ltd, was a transformative initiative to empower Somali women as leaders and advocates for gender equality. Operating in Puntland and Somaliland with a budget of $300,000, this year-long effort tackled systemic barriers—such as limited political representation, cultural constraints, and economic exclusion—by equipping women with skills, amplifying their voices, and influencing policy. The project combined grassroots training, media outreach, and high-level advocacy to create a movement for change across Somalia, leveraging every dollar for maximum impact.

    Commissioned by UN Women Somalia, with support from partners USAID, Tai Global Elective, and Ultra Analytic, this coalition pooled resources and expertise within the $300,000 budget to align with their shared goals of advancing gender equity and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa.

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    Women trained in leadership and advocacy skills.

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    People reached through the campaign.

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    Local policies changed to enhance female representation.

    Project Objective

    The primary objective of "Women Lead" was to empower 300 Somali women in Puntland and Somaliland to become active agents of change by equipping them with leadership and advocacy skills, increasing their visibility through media platforms, and securing policy reforms to enhance female representation in governance. The project aimed to reach 100,000+ community members with gender equality messaging and influence at least two local policies within its $300,000 scope, fostering a sustainable shift in societal attitudes and structures.

    How It Was Conducted

    "Women Lead" was executed in three strategic phases, utilizing the $300,000 budget efficiently:

    1. Training and Capacity Building ($120,000): Across 15 workshops, 300 women were trained in leadership, public speaking, and campaign design. Tai Global Elective’s specialists delivered Somali-language sessions, with costs covering trainers, materials, and logistics.
    2. Media and Outreach Campaign ($100,000): The "Voices of Somali Women" campaign, optimized by Ultra Analytic’s data-driven strategies, used radio and social media to reach 150,000 people. USAID supported community forums, with funds allocated for airtime, production, and SMS outreach.
    3. Policy Advocacy ($80,000): A capstone event in Garowe, guided by UN Women Somalia’s policy expertise, saw 50 trained women present a policy brief to regional leaders, advocating for a 30% female representation mandate. USAID’s networks amplified a petition that gathered 5,000 signatures.
    Client and Partners
    • Client: UN Women Somalia – Provided $150,000 and strategic oversight to advance gender equality.
    • Partner: USAID – Contributed $100,000 and logistical coordination for community engagement.
    • Partner: Tai Global Elective – Funded at $30,000 to design and deliver training.
    • Partner: Ultra Analytic – Allocated $20,000 for media analytics and campaign optimization.

    Outcomes

    The "Women Lead" Advocacy project exceeded its objectives, delivering tangible and sustainable results:

    • Skill Development: 300 women gained practical leadership and advocacy skills, with 90% reporting increased confidence in public engagement per post-training assessments.
    • Community Reach: The media campaign reached 150,000 people—50% more than the target—spreading awareness of gender equality across urban and rural areas.
    • Policy Reforms: Three policy changes were secured, surpassing the goal of two, including a 30% female representation mandate in municipal councils.
    • Sustained Action: 180 women (60% of trainees) launched ongoing advocacy initiatives, exceeding expectations for long-term impact.

    Successes

    Policy Breakthroughs:

    Three local policies were enacted, including the landmark 30% female representation mandate in Puntland and Somaliland councils, directly tied to the Garowe event and petition with 5,000 signatures.

    The "Voices of Somali Women" campaign engaged 150,000 individuals, with surveys showing a 25% increase in community support for female leadership—a testament to Ultra Analytic’s targeting and USAID’s outreach.

    180 women continued advocacy work post-project, forming 12 grassroots groups addressing education, healthcare, and economic equity, fulfilling the objective of sustainable change.

    With just $300,000, the project delivered outsized results, training 300 women at $400 per participant and reaching 150,000 people at less than $1 per person.

    The Somali Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development praised "Women Lead" as a gender equality benchmark, spotlighting it at a national conference and commending the collaborative efforts of Horn of Africa Communication for Development Ltd and its partners.