FILE – In this poignant snapshot of survival and hope, Somali women find refuge near Mogadishu, erecting shelters to protect themselves from the cruelty of displacement. We find ourselves on the cusp of another International Women’s Day, coming up on March 8, 2025. This year, the world celebrates women across the globe for their unwavering strength amidst relentless struggles, championing a theme that echoes the cries for equal rights and a unified global consciousness.

WASHINGTON — As we reflect on International Women’s Day, the indomitable narratives of women like Zahra Mohamed Ahmad arise, etching stories of courage during Somalia’s tumultuous times. These women’s unyielding spirits blaze trails, from the realms of human rights advocacy to the comforting embrace of community solidarity. One cannot help but wonder: in a nation beset by strife, where do these women find such reserves of courage?

Zahra Mohamed Ahmad, affectionately known as Mama Zahra, embodies this ethos of bravery. Her life story is woven with sacrifice, grief, and relentless pursuit of justice. In 1991, when Somalia’s central government crumbled, she fled, seeking refuge from chaos, yet carrying the seeds of hope within her. Nearly a decade later, in 2000, she returned. Her mission? To fight ceaselessly for justice, equality, and unity across the Somali diaspora.

Yet, her journey is marked by profound personal loss. Her only son, a beacon of her love, was tragically taken from her, slain by unknown assailants on a Mogadishu street. How does one persevere in the face of such heartache? For Mama Zahra, it was through the Somali Women Development Center (SWDC), an organization she forged to amplify the voices of the unheard and support the marginalized. Her resilience did not go unnoticed; in 2021, the U.S. State Department honored her with the International Women of Courage Award, a testament to her tenacity.

This International Women’s Day, Mama Zahra shares her reflections with VOA Somali, noting that “The dark, grim days following Siad Barre’s regime ouster remain vivid memories — days when starvation stole children from mothers’ arms, when families fled and perished on the roads. March 8 renews these memories for many Somali women, memories of a past that still shadows our present.”

Another voice, Duniyo Mohamed Ali, a steadfast activist in Mogadishu, recalls the pivotal roles women played during the civil war’s infancy in 1991. Women became architects of survival, pillars of strength who built educational refuges, created small health centers, and even negotiated peace across clan boundaries. They were the unseen entrepreneurs who ensured their families would not go hungry.

In Northeastern State this year, the women transformed what would have been colorful festivities into acts of gratitude and sustenance. Kafi Ali Jire, chairperson of the Bari Region Women’s Organization, spoke of a different celebration. “Given the ongoing conflict with Islamic State forces, traditional celebrations felt incongruous. The grief of widows and the fears of those with loved ones in battle led us to channel our energy into preparing meals for our soldiers instead.”

However, as we talk about resilience, one must ponder: In politics, why are Somali women still playing catch-up? The gender equality envisaged by a 30% representation quota in Somali law remains elusive. Lul Mohamed Sheikh, an activist armed with a doctorate, expresses her frustration, noting, “Our dreams were for communities to allocate seats to women, a vision not yet realized. Social norms and systemic barriers persist, with elders dictating the political landscape and barring women from leadership roles.” Out of 275 parliamentary seats, only 52 are occupied by women.

Yet, these statistics do not quite capture the essence of the struggle. What story would these numbers tell if infused with the tales of determination behind them? The stories of Somali women, carrying the weight of historical and societal challenges on their shoulders, shape a reality where they are architects of Somalia’s potential future.

Humanitarian Crisis

International Women’s Day arrives against the backdrop of an escalating humanitarian crisis in Somalia. Displacement and conflict, especially against al-Shabab and IS in the Northeast and Central regions, force many women and children into perilous survival. As an aid-dependent country that nearly faced famine in 2022, thanks to increased humanitarian interventions, Somalia now once again grapples with mounting food insecurity.

With 3.4 million people acutely food insecure — and consultations indicating a rise to 4.4 million by mid-year — the situation is dire. The World Food Program warns of nearly 1.7 million children under the age of five in urgent need, with nearly half a million facing severe, life-threatening malnutrition. “We have learned in Somalia that delays can be deadly,” WFP spokesperson Jean-Martin Bauer reminds us from Rome, pleading for donor generosity and immediate action.

As Somali women stand at the threshold of another year, let us remember and honor them — not just for their struggles but for their unyielding hope and relentless agency in shaping Somalia’s story.