Outcome SOM_D_1.1

Al-Shabaab is reduced and degraded, and respect, protection, and promotion of human rights, gender equality, tolerance, climate security, and environmental governance is sustained through strengthened security and rule of law institutions and improved accountability mechanisms and legal frameworks

UN Women, through the Joint Rule of Law Programme, advanced equitable access to justice by promoting inclusive, accountable, and human rights–based justice and security institutions. Targeted capacity-building, advocacy, and leadership development within the Judiciary, Attorney General’s Office, and law enforcement strengthened institutional commitment to gender equality and responsiveness to the needs of women, girls, and the most vulnerable groups. By reinforcing community-level rule of law, supporting conflict-prevention and accountability mechanisms, and addressing structural inequalities that can be exploited by extremist actors, these efforts contributed to sustaining peace and security. . Access to justice and accountability for women and girls were strengthened through enhanced legal and technical capacity of 508 female lawyers, prosecutors, and Women and Child Desk personnel, alongside expanded community legal awareness among internally displaced and other vulnerable populations. These interventions strengthened the capacity of justice and law enforcement institutions, improved survivor-centred responses to gender-based violence, and reinforced trust-building between communities and state institutions. At the legal and policy level, significant progress was made in advancing the Sexual Offences Bill in Somaliland, with consensus reached on amendments to 22 articles and submission of a harmonized draft to the House of Elders, strengthening the national legal framework for protection of human rights and accountability. Through the Joint Police Programme Phase II, Targeted community engagement and awareness initiatives have begun to shift entrenched perceptions of women in policing, translating into tangible progress at both institutional and grassroots levels. Through engagement forums convening police officers, civil servants, students, and government representatives, participants advanced gender-responsive reforms, operationalized frameworks. These sessions amplified the voices of female police officers, fostered constructive dialogue with male colleagues, and built institutional momentum toward gender-balanced policing. At the community level, five public engagement forums across all Federal Member States convened 200 young women, creating direct exchanges with serving female police officers whose testimonies inspired participants to view policing as a viable career path. By elevating the visibility of women in uniform and demonstrating the positive impact of diversity on community safety, these forums challenged stereotypes, strengthened public trust, and contributed to a growing movement for a more representative and effective security service in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab is reduced and degraded, and respect, protection, and promotion of human rights, gender equality, tolerance, climate security, and environmental governance is sustained through strengthened security and rule of law institutions and improved accountability mechanisms and legal frameworks

In 2024, Somalia moved towards achieving results under the outcome. The country witnessed an increase in the number of Local Action Plans (LAPs) on Women Peace and Security (WPS) on UNSCR 1325 from 4 in 2023 to 6 in 2024. The two new LAPs were adopted by the Benadir Administrative Region and Galmudug Federal Member State of Somalia. In addition, 17 women's networks in 17 districts spread across the country were established. These networks organized dialogues on with opinion leaders such as community elders and religious leaders that contribute to positive image and acceptance of women as peace-makers and leaders. Experiences, stories and case studies collected from these women’s networks have demonstrated that greater coordination and joint action has been facilitated between network members and traditional elders, existing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, and other community peace structures. Similarly, perception surveys undertaken have indicated a community-level increase in the proportion of those who believe women should be involved in peace processes, suggesting progress in challenging the negative gender and cultural norms that limit the opportunities for women to meaningfully participate in peacebuilding processes in Somalia. UN Women contributed to the results by strengthening the technical and financial capacity of Government, Women Rights Organizations and Civil society Organizations by providing technical advice, conducting training, advocacy campaigns and peer-to-peer learning. More specifically, UN Women Somalia contributed to the WPS results through development and operationalization of tailor-made action plans to cater to peace and security needs of women and girls.