Somali Journalists Union Joins 16-Day Campaign to Improve Gender-Based Violence Reporting

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The National Union of Somali Journalists concluded its participation in the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with a slate of trainings, safeguarding measures and a human rights colloquium that union leaders say will strengthen protections for women journalists and raise ethical reporting standards across Somalia.

Backed by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, the Nov. 25–Dec. 10 campaign combined practical newsroom interventions with public awareness efforts aimed at confronting sexual violence, online harassment and discriminatory practices in Somali media. NUSOJ said the push reached journalists in multiple regions and culminated in a Dec. 10 Human Rights Colloquium in Mogadishu, which also opened a three-day training for Mogadishu-based reporters.

The campaign opened Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, with the launch of the National Safeguarding Initiative for Women Journalists in Mogadishu. More than 150 participants — including female journalists, male colleagues and media stakeholders — received training in personal safety, digital protection, collective advocacy and strategies to address workplace harassment in newsrooms, the field and online.

“Emancipating and empowering women journalists, while bringing male colleagues to the table to confront long-ignored workplace abuses, has been vital in exposing harmful practices that must be eliminated from our media industry,” said NUSOJ Organisation Secretary Nima Hassan Abdi. “These honest conversations are paving the way for concrete action to protect women journalists both online and in the office.”

Throughout November, the union expanded outreach with workshops in Garowe,Puntland State, and Kismayo, Jubaland. Those sessions emphasized ethical reporting on gender-based violence, with training in trauma-informed storytelling, survivor-centered approaches and fact-based coverage. According to NUSOJ, the work spurred media campaigns across Federal Member States that highlighted survivor resilience, challenged entrenched impunity and pressed for reforms to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence. Youth- and women-led dialogues gained traction both offline and on social platforms.

The Dec. 10 colloquium brought together women and men in the media to assess reporting practices and the persistent barriers to addressing sexual violence and workplace harassment. Participants outlined steps to advance gender justice in Somali newsrooms, from policy commitments to day-to-day editorial choices, and pledged to champion safer, more equitable work environments.

“Journalism is a public good that protects communities by shining a light on abuse and holding power to account,” said NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman. “This duty can only be fulfilled when journalists are free, confident, skilled and able to use their voices responsibly. Our work over these 16 days has shown the powerful role the media can play in exposing gender-based violence, challenging harmful norms and driving solutions that put survivors and their rights at the centre.”

NUSOJ reported tangible gains from the two-week initiative. Well over 150 journalists took part in professional development activities, while 62 media outlets strengthened their preparedness for gender-sensitive reporting and committed to improving conditions for women journalists. Public awareness rose sharply, the union said, citing media organizations’ data showing an estimated 2.5 million viewers and listeners reached through coverage, as well as more than 1,120,000 social media engagements.

While the 16 Days of Activism campaign has ended, union leaders said the work now shifts to sustaining safeguards and embedding ethical, survivor-centered reporting standards in Somali newsrooms — and ensuring women journalists can do their jobs safely, online and off.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.