MOGADISHU, Somalia, 26 October 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has wrapped up another insightful training session, empowering journalists in Hirshabelle State, Somalia, to better report on climate change and advocate for climate justice.
This comprehensive three-day program unfolded in Beledweyne, Hiiraan, between October 20th and 22nd, 2024, featuring 15 journalists hailing from the local community. The primary goal was to sharpen their climate-reporting skills, thereby enlightening residents on environmental challenges.
Beledweyne and Jowhar, the region’s capitals, along with surrounding towns, find themselves grappling with severe flooding, displacing thousands and wreaking havoc on daily life. Just last December, reports revealed that a staggering 90% of Beledweyne’s denizens were uprooted due to rising waters. Jowhar, too, witnessed the forced relocation of 77,000 inhabitants, as El Niño-induced flooding painted a grim picture. Despite the region’s agricultural bounty afforded by its riverine terrain, relentless droughts and floods have made displacement a cruel routine for many.
In her own words, Rowda Hussein Ali, a reporter at HiranWeyn Radio in Beledweyne, expressed, “This marks my initial foray into climate change training. Despite my lifelong familiarity with humanitarian crises, the elusive concept of climate justice hadn’t dawned on me, nor the pivotal role journalists play in championing awareness,” she reflected.
Speaking to SJS post-training, Rowda, brandishing newfound insights on climate reporting, beamed with resolve. | PHOTO/SJS.
Another trainee, Sadia Osman Abdi of Wadani FM, shared, “This session armed me with valuable skills to engage actively in local problem-solving discussions. When our neighborhood, Bundo Weyn, succumbed to floods last year, displacing my family and neighbors alike, finding a solution became paramount. Reckoning with overcrowding, disease outbreaks, and price surges catalyzed my determination to persistently broadcast this message,” she declared.
For women journalists like Rowda and Sadia, reporting on climate issues presents unique obstacles in a society steeped in patriarchal norms. They often hear, “Women belong at home, tending to family rather than making radio waves.” They aspire to dismantle this line of thinking.
Sadia Osman Abdi joined SJS after assimilating valuable experiences during the climate change workshop. | PHOTO/SJS.
“We all bear the brunt of climate change’s wrath, including those women-led households yearning for inclusion in dialogue. I urge my community to break free from gender stereotypes and unite,” Rowda passionately asserted.
SJS mentors fostered an inclusive environment during the training, urging journalists, irrespective of gender, to contribute equally to the cause, promoting women’s voices.
“The region’s communities not only face the climate crisis but endure ongoing threats from armed conflict and terrorism,” recounted SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin. “This training injected local journalists with new capabilities and inspired discussions on proactive climate reporting and justice advocacy.”
Journalists actively participated in dynamic exchanges during the SJS climate training in Beledweyne. | PHOTO/SJS.
Mr. Mumin noted, “Accurate media coverage can be lifesaving and form part of the solution. We owe our gratitude to Medico International for backing this initiative, enabling us to train 30 local journalists, representing both genders, on this vital subject impacting our communities.”
The grim reality of climate change unjustly impacts Somalia’s most vulnerable: women, children, and rural communities. Its tentacles reach far, compromising security, economies, and social harmony.
“Resource disputes over grazing, water, and food spark half of Somalia’s communal conflicts. This reality underscores the critical intersection of climate change, peace, and stability, necessitating local media involvement in forging solutions,” concluded Mr. Mumin.
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