Campaigning for the Rights of Women in Media

Somaliland journalist Nafisa Hussein overcame many barriers and personal hardships out of love for her profession. Working first as a radio announcer, then as a newspaper reporter, she persevered. In Somaliland, women journalists are rare. Many of those who do join the profession are steered toward becoming announcers or assistants, with few opportunities for professional development, training, or promotion. Working at night, as many media outlets require, presents another obstacle, with cultural norms discouraging women from being out of the home in the evenings.

Nafisa faced a critical turning point after the birth of her first child when her husband ordered her to stop working. She refused and, undaunted by family challenges, applied for IREX assistance through the Supporting Media and Civil Society in Somalia (SMCSS) program. She used these funds to assist the Somaliland Women in Media Association (SWIMA), which she chaired, in advocating on behalf of women in Somali media. SWIMA carried out an extensive advocacy campaign to raise awareness of topics related to women journalists in Somali media and the media‘s coverage of women’s issues, including media spots designed, produced, and aired by SWIMA. SWIMA not only promoted public debates, panel discussions, and lobbying meetings with government officials and media managers, but also produced a series of trainings for female journalists to advance their professional development.

Reflecting on the victories and ongoing challenges confronting Somaliland women in the media, Nafisa says, “As a Somali woman, becoming a media practitioner wasn’t easy. Most people I knew were against my goal of becoming a journalist. I didn’t know where to start; all I knew was that I had the dream of becoming a journalist. I am now a professional and skilled journalist… If other Somali women work hard and challenge the cultural barriers discriminating against women, then one day, they can reach their dreams, too.”

The above story is originally featured in our 2011 Annual Report. With your help, we can continue to change the lives of other women journalists like Nafisa. Please consider making a gift online through our donation page.