Somalia | UN Women Transparency Portal

Summary of country programme

UN Women’s Somalia Strategic Note 2022–2025 outlines key actions and priorities for promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in Mogadishu, Galmudug, Baidoa, Hirshabelle, Kismayo, Hargeisa and Garowe. The central challenge addressed is achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The programme promotes gender equality and women's economic empowerment; addresses gender-based violence; and supports women, peace and security initiatives. Approaches include capacity-building, advocacy and service delivery.

Major partnerships with local and international organizations, including UN entities, government ministries and civil society organizations, enhance UN Women’s reach and effectiveness.

Other resources (non-core)

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UN Women in action: Strategic insights and achievements

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Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements

The most significant result achieved was the advancement of gender-responsive legal and policy reforms that strengthened women’s political participation, protection from harmful practices, and access to justice, directly improving the lives of women and girls and contributing to SDGs 5, 10, and 16.
Through Women, Peace and Protection Joint Programme, UN Women supported historic policy gains, including the adoption of a 30 per cent women’s quota in the Somalia’ Electoral Law, recognised in 2025 as a major milestone for advancing women’s political participation. Women currently hold 19% of parliamentary seats (52 out of 274 MPs), reflecting progress yet still falling short of the 30% target. The Programme also contributed to landmark legal protections for girls through the first-ever legal bans on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in three Federal Member States (Jubaland, Galmudug and Southwest ). The outcomes were enabled through strong partnerships with the UN in Somalia, and civil society. The establishment of eight Women’s Parliamentary Caucuses that advanced gender-responsive legislation, amplified women’s leadership in peacebuilding, and a Civil Society Reference Group on Women, Peace and Security that led in coordinating a high-level advocacy contributed to the result.
Complementing these national and state -level reforms, UN Women-through the Somaliland National Human Rights Commission and under the UN Joint Rule of Law Programme (JRoLP) has supported gender-responsive justice reforms in Somaliland, A key outcome was UN Women’s technical support to the amendment of the Sexual Offences Bill, including the review and revision of 22 articles to enhance survivor protection and align the legislation with international human rights standards. The amended bill was submitted to the House of Elders (Guurti), reflecting growing political consensus and institutional commitment. The commission delivered free legal aids to nearly 1,500 people, over 70% were women and children. This progress was achieved through close partnerships with the Somaliland National Human Rights Commission (SLNHRC), the Technical Working Group, members of the House of Elders (Guurti) and UN family.
At the community and institutional levels, UN Women partnered with NAGAAD Network to engage 38 women religious scholars and 108 (F:70, M:38) community leaders in promoting gender-responsive justice and positive social norms, increasing public awareness of women’s rights. In collaboration with the Somaliland Women Lawyers Association (SWLA), UN Women strengthened survivor-centred justice t and organizing legal awareness sessions for 200 .Females:195, Male:5) participants to improve confidence in reporting GBV cases, UN Women also organized advocacy engagements with 0 (F:25, M:15) judiciary and Attorney General officials to promote gender-responsive policies and women’s representation in the justice sector.

Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements

The Electoral Law was amended in November 2024, securing 30% of women’s quota for the first time in Somalia. The Women Parliamentary Caucuses (WPC) in the national parliament (Upper House and House of the People) and the Parliaments of the five Federal Member States were among the most influential advocacy groups in the country to secure 30% women’s quota in the Electoral Law. The Caucuses aim to increase women's impact on political decisions by providing the necessary support to promote a gender equality legislative and policy agenda, including Somalia's ongoing constitutional review process. The WPCs were established in 2023 and 2024 through UN Women technical and financial support under the UN Joint Program “Women, Peace and Protection (WPP)” implemented with UNDP and UNSOM. More specifically, UN Women supported the WPCs through facilitating knowledge exchange to; 1) provide overview of the proposed electoral systems in the draft electoral law and share examples of successful temporary special measures (TSM) being exercised in neighboring countries to promote women’s political participation; and 2) provide a platform for collaborative brainstorming to develop strategies for gaining political support for incorporating TSM in the election related laws to achieve 30% women representation at District, State, and Federal levels. In addition, UN Women and UNDP organized a study visit for WPC Delegates to Rwanda to gain perspective on gender parity in the Parliament, which renewed the commitment of the delegates to advocate for the inclusion of 30% women quota in the Constitution. As a follow-up to the visit, the Somali delegation is also looking into replicating the GBV One Stop Centers, implementing Gender Responsive Budgeting, and promoting women’s socio-economic development.

Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements

UN Women in its role as a Co-Chair of the UN Gender Theme Group, UNCF Results Group on Gender, Human Rights, and Inclusion undertakes regular review and advocacy with the UN entities in Somalia in integration and mainstreaming of gender aligned to the UNCF as well as the global norms and standards including the realization of SDGs. Through UN Women and the DSRSG/RC/HC advocacy, the GTG is supported by the UNCT in initiating the “UNCT SWAP Gender Score Card Exercise for greater accountability on GEWE commitments’ and extended unwavering support for allocation of cost shared pooled resources. During the reporting period, the UN Women Humanitarian intervention n in the country has reached the most vulnerable and marginalized women living in IDP camps in Garowe, Baidoa, Kismayo and Mogadishu of Somali. The program has significantly contributed to saving the lives and livelihoods of the beneficiaries by creating access to and control of resources of women, access to information and transformative leadership of women and youth. In addition, UN Women also contributed to SDG 5 by achieving gender equality and empowerment for women and girls by advancing women’s economic resilience, supporting women in overcoming livelihood barriers and producing a more equitable flow of financial and non-financial opportunities and benefits. The Women’s Leadership, Empowerment, Access, and Protection in Crisis Response (LEAP) Program has made a significant contribution to promoting women's economic empowerment and fostered a transformation of inequitable gender attitudes, behaviours, and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital cutting, as well as restrictions on women’s mobility and their rights to education, health, work, and civic participation. The country office has strengthened the capacity of WLOs and SCOs on Gender Equality in Humanitarian Action (GIHA).
WPP has engaged over 900 traditional elders, religious and women leaders, and legal experts together through trainings, workshops, and discussions, in community advocacy and outreach activities,National and Local Action Plans on UNSCR 1325 were launched except Galmudug,Guidance and capacity building on amplifying the WPS agenda through media was provided through two trainings for a total of 69 journalists, youth activists and women advocates,African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) at FGS and FMS levels were established

Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements

UN Women Somalia country office has made a significant contribution towards promotion of positive coping mechanisms for marginalized women and girls affected by protracted & slow onset crises (conflict/disaster, temporary shelters & host communities). The country office opted the Women’s Leadership, Empowerment, Access & Protection in Crisis Response (LEAP) program in Somalia by creating 42 Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups [21 in Kismayo comprising of 500 members, 21 in Baidoa 530 members] women provided an opportunity to inculcate a saving culture that provides for basic family needs during difficult economic times. Empowering women economically is a significant achievement attributed to the project in the targeted locations. This establishment of VSLA created a platform for inculcating positive financial practices and consequently improving household economic incomes. The impact of these VSLAs is visible in that some of the members have established their own business from the loan that they received from the group while others have expanded their business. Saving culture has also prevented them from sliding into bad debts that severe the scare household income. Additionally, the approach developed strong relationship among members of the same group with collective sense of responsibility leading to establishment of social funds to help group members in times of hardship.
The intervention contributed to UN Cooperation Framework (UNCF) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The project will directly contribute to the UN Cooperations Framework as well as SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages; SDG 5: ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’ and SDG 8 - ‘Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full productive employment and decent work for all). The project will also contribute to the SDGs principle of “leaving no one behind” by enhancing the participation of refugee women who are faced with intersectionality and vulnerabilities.
UN Women Somalia played a pivotal role in coordinating with UN agencies funds and program to ensure that all humanitarian interventions are delivered through the gender mainstreaming and inconsideration of Gender in Humanitarian Action. UN Women Somalia had built on the successes and experience of LEAP programming and leveraging women and girls Leadership, Empowerment, Access, and protection though provision of space for women to convene, mobilize and access income generating activities, livelihood and skills development opportunities, effective services, protection mechanisms and empowerment support. The intervention contributed Indicator (SP) 0.4.d: Number of women accessing information, goods, resources and/or services through UNW supported platforms and programs in humanitarian and development settings (CO)

Results and resources

Results overview
Total resources
Development results and resources
Organizational results and resources

Outcomes (aligned with interagency frameworks)

SOM_D_2.1

Somalis, particularly women and youth, benefit from and participate in functional, inclusive, accountable, and transparent democratic systems across all levels of government and governmental institutions.

SOM_D_2.1.1

Inclusive and responsive infrastructures for peace to support women’s participation and leadership in national and local level peace processes are established

SOM_D_2.1.2

Operationalization of NAP on UNSCR 1325 to promote women’s meaningful participation in peacebuilding at the national and local levels.

SOM_D_2.1.3

Women leaders, peace networks, and forums (Hayaanka Nabadda-Hope for Peace Networks) were established to engage in peace mediation, reconciliation, and social cohesion at community levels

SOM_D_4.2

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

SOM_D_4.2.1

Capacity and gender-responsiveness of the existing rule of law and security sector institutions improved, particularly in handling cases of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV)

SOM_D_4.2.2

Women-led conflict early-warning system and preparedness plans developed and operationalized.

SOM_D_4.2.3

More justice institutions are accessible to and deliver for women and girls

SOM_D_4.2.4

Women and girls at risk of COVID-19, access and benefit from relevant prevention and mitigation measures targeting 8,800 women and girls.

SOM_D_4.2.5

600 women and girls at risk of COVID-19 infection in target locations have improved access to information, capacities, and knowledge to lead and participate in decision-making and coordination mechanisms

SOM_D_4.5

The UN system coherently and systematically contributes to progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls

SOM_D_4.5.1

UN Women effectively supports to strengthen the capacity of the UN entities and government for the implementation of gender equality across Somalia

SOM_D_4.5.2

UN Women efficiently leads, coordinates, and enhances the UN system's coordination for gender equality

SOM_D_5.1

Outcome: An integrated national Programme for human capital development is established, increasing access to market-based skills for all – including the most marginalized and vulnerable groups – and safeguarding their rights.

SOM_D_5.1.1

Output 3.1.Crisis-affected and at-risk women have enhanced access to livelihood skills, training, tools, and technologies in relation to climate-smart agriculture

SOM_D_5.1.2

Output 3.2: Women micro and small entrepreneurs are supported to set up and improve their operations in agriculture and non-agricultural sectors

SOM_D_5.1.3

Output 3.3: Women’s access to savings and credit is enhanced

SOM_D_5.1.4

Output 3.4: Initiatives promoting positive gender norms in support of women's leadership and protection from violence are scaled up with the support of humanitarian actors

SOM_D_5.1.5

Output 3.5: Refugee, IDP women and women in host communities have increased capacities and skills to participate in and lead settlement management and local decision-making processes

SOM_D_1.1

SOM_D_1.1.1

Capacity and gender-responsiveness of the existing rule of law and security sector institutions improved, particularly in handling cases of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV)

SOM_D_1.1.2

Women-led conflict early-warning system and preparedness plans developed and operationalized.

SOM_D_1.1.3

More justice institutions are accessible to and deliver for women and girls

SOM_D_1.2

The UN system coherently and systematically contributes to progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls

SOM_D_1.2.1

UN Women effectively supports to strengthen the capacity of the UN entities and government for the implementation of gender equality across Somalia

SOM_D_1.2.2

UN Women efficiently leads, coordinates, and enhances the UN system's coordination for gender equality

SOM_D_2.2

SOM_D_2.2.1

Inclusive and responsive infrastructures for peace to support women’s participation and leadership in national and local level peace processes are established

SOM_D_2.2.2

Operationalization of NAP on UNSCR 1325 to promote women’s meaningful participation in peacebuilding at the national and local levels.

SOM_D_2.2.3

Women leaders, peace networks, and forums (Hayaanka Nabadda-Hope for Peace Networks) were established to engage in peace mediation, reconciliation, and social cohesion at community levels

SOM_D_3.1

An integrated national Programme for human capital development is established, increasing access to market-based skills for all – including the most marginalized and vulnerable groups – and safeguarding their rights.

SOM_D_3.1.1

Crisis-affected and at-risk women have enhanced access to livelihood skills, training, tools, and technologies in relation to climate-smart agriculture

SOM_D_3.1.2

Women micro and small entrepreneurs are supported to set up and improve their operations in agriculture and non-agricultural sectors

SOM_D_3.1.3

Women’s access to savings and credit is enhanced

SOM_D_3.1.4

Initiatives promoting positive gender norms in support of women's leadership and protection from violence are scaled up with the support of humanitarian actors

Organizational effectiveness and efficiency

SOM_O_1

Assuring an accountable organization through principled performance:

SOM_O_2

Advancing partnerships & resourcing; Effectively influencing for impact & scale:

SOM_O_3

Advancing business transformation:

SOM_O_4

Nurturing an empowered workforce and advancing an inclusive UN-Women culture :

SOM_O_5

Effective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes: UN-Women efficiently and effectively discharges of all business processes that advance integrated delivery of its mandate at HQ, Regional and Country levels, including through shared services.

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Outcome Result statement IATI identifier

OutcomeSOM_D_1.1

Outcome result statement

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_D_1.1

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OutcomeSOM_D_1.2

Outcome result statement

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_D_1.2

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OutcomeSOM_D_2.1

Outcome result statement

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_D_2.1

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OutcomeSOM_D_2.2

Outcome result statement

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_D_2.2

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OutcomeSOM_D_3.1

Outcome result statement

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_D_3.1

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OutcomeSOM_D_4.2

Outcome result statement

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_D_4.2

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OutcomeSOM_D_4.5

Outcome result statement

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_D_4.5

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OutcomeSOM_D_5.1

Outcome result statement

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_D_5.1

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Expenses

Outcome Result statement IATI identifier

OutcomeSOM_O_1

Outcome result statementAssuring an accountable organization through principled performance:

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_O_1

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OutcomeSOM_O_2

Outcome result statementAdvancing partnerships & resourcing; Effectively influencing for impact & scale:

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_O_2

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OutcomeSOM_O_3

Outcome result statementAdvancing business transformation:

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_O_3

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OutcomeSOM_O_4

Outcome result statementNurturing an empowered workforce and advancing an inclusive UN-Women culture :

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_O_4

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OutcomeSOM_O_5

Outcome result statementEffective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes: UN-Women efficiently and effectively discharges of all business processes that advance integrated delivery of its mandate at HQ, Regional and Country levels, including through shared services.

IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SOM_O_5

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Resources allocated towards SDGs

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Our funding partners contributions

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Regular resources (core)

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$162.95 K in total

Other resources (non-core)

$3.31 M in total

Regular resources (core)

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$162.95 K in total

	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)	$70,477 2023 United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Total contribution:$70,477 Development:$70,477(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	$70,477 2022 United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Total contribution:$70,477 Development:$70,477(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	$22,000 2021 United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Total contribution:$22,000 Development:$22,000(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	-- 2020 No data available	-- 2019 No data available

2023

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$70,477

Total contribution$70,477

Development$70,477(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

2022

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$70,477

Total contribution$70,477

Development$70,477(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

2021

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$22,000

Total contribution$22,000

Development$22,000(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

Other resources (non-core)

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$3.31 M in total

	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office	$136,376 2023 United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund Total contribution:$136,376 Development:$136,376(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	$136,376 2022 United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund Total contribution:$136,376 Development:$136,376(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	$271,175 2021 United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund Total contribution:$271,175 Development:$271,175(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	$430,000 2020 United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund Total contribution:$430,000 Development:$430,000(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	$577,687 2019 United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund Total contribution:$577,687 Development:$577,687(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)
Japan	-- 2023 No data available	-- 2022 No data available	$452,515 2021 JapanOECD-DAC donor Total contribution:$452,515 Development:$452,515(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	-- 2020 No data available	-- 2019 No data available
Peacebuilding Fund	$629,130 2023 Peacebuilding FundUnited Nations pooled fund Total contribution:$629,130 Development:$629,130(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	$629,130 2022 Peacebuilding FundUnited Nations pooled fund Total contribution:$629,130 Development:$629,130(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	$47,354 2021 Peacebuilding FundUnited Nations pooled fund Total contribution:$47,354 Development:$47,354(100%) Humanitarian:$0(0%)	-- 2020 No data available	-- 2019 No data available

2023

United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$136,376

Total contribution$136,376

Development$136,376(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

Peacebuilding Fund$629,130

Total contribution$629,130

Development$629,130(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

2022

United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$136,376

Total contribution$136,376

Development$136,376(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

Peacebuilding Fund$629,130

Total contribution$629,130

Development$629,130(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

2021

United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$271,175

Total contribution$271,175

Development$271,175(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

Japan$452,515

Total contribution$452,515

Development$452,515(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

Peacebuilding Fund$47,354

Total contribution$47,354

Development$47,354(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

2020

United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$430,000

Total contribution$430,000

Development$430,000(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

2019

United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$577,687

Total contribution$577,687

Development$577,687(100%)

Humanitarian$0(0%)

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Documents

Strategic Note brochure Somalia 2026-2030

30 April 2026