Somali Women Agenda - SWA

Somali women Artists, Somali Women Journalists and other individuals committed to the cause. SWA is an initiative which aims to create a national and united women’s movement drawing urgent attention to the alleviation of the status of Somali women; the need to strengthen each other in addressing issues affecting women and girls; the lack of involvement of women in decision making and holding those in authority accountable.

2. Vision
A society where women and men can participate equally without oppression, discrimination and violence to achieve peace and development
5. Objectives
The main objective for SWA, is to take measures, to ensure women’s equal access and full participation in power-structures, decision-making positions and, in peace and reconciliation processes; promote peace building, justice and equality; protect the human rights of Somali women and the girl child; promote participatory good leadership and accountability; and promote the participation of youth and their mentorship. Specifically SWA will:

Play an active role in democratic processes, i.e., Constitutional-making, referendum, and elections in the context of sustainable peace in Somalia, especially ensuring that women’s agenda are part of the country’s agenda. Promote partnership with the Somalis Women in the Diaspora, to create visibility of SWA at regional and international level. Build Coalition with other Civil Society Organizations, particularly those that promise to move the country processes forward through lesson learning, capacity building, and providing forums for debate. Develop and strengthen capacity for reciprocal learning, in advocacy, networking, research and training; with women activists, women parliamentarians and partner organizations. Provide technical support to civil society organizations, government, and other stakeholders in their efforts to bring about peace, improve governance structures, to formulate and implement gender sensitive policies and laws. Work with strategic alliances, the African Union, IGAD, advocacy organizations in the region; UN- agencies and other international development partners focusing on peace for Somalia. Facilitate networking supported by strong coordinated and organizational arrangements, information sharing and co-operation amongst SWA Members in working strategies for addressing women’s agenda. Develop gender sensitive systems to monitor the impact of conflict on women and children, on equality, development and peace in Somalia.

6. SWA’s Structure

6.1 The General Assembly
The General Assembly is composed of 65 members, representatives from all regions of Somalia.

6.2 The Steering Committee
SWA is headed by a Steering Committee of 19 members. The key role of the committee is to:
• Develop SWA’s policies and strategies.
• Develop organizational policies and strategies.
• Mobilise resources for the organisation.
• Create linkages/strategic alliances with regional and international organizations.
• Represent SWA in regional and international forums.

6.3 SWA’s Management Structure
The management structure is composed of:
• The Chair of SWA
• First Vice Chair
• Second Vice Chair
• General Secretary
• Treasurer

6.4 Task Forces
There are four tasks forces formed to steer the priority areas of SWA’s work: Peace Task Force; Human Rights Task Force; Political Task Force; and Development Task Force.

6.4.1 The Peace Task Force
Strategic Objective:
• To advocate and lobby for the participation of Somali women in conflict resolution at decision-making levels and the protection of internally displaced women.
• Promote and advocate for non-violent forms of conflict resolution to reduce the incidence of human rights abuse.
• Promote women’s contribution to fostering a culture of peace.

6.4.2 Human Rights Task Force
Strategic Objectives:
• Advocate and Lobby for the protection of human rights of Somali women, through the implementation of all human rights instruments, especially the rights of women in Islam, CEDAW and Protocol of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.
• Promote Legal Literacy

6.4.3 The Political Task Force
Strategic Objectives:
• To advocate for women’s equal access to and full participation in power structures and decision-making.
• Increase women’s capacity to participate in decision-making and in leadership positions.
• To actively engage with MPs especially women MPs to take over the SWA into parliament.

6.4.4 Development Task Force
Strategic Objectives:
• Advocate and lobby for the participation of Somali women in the development and reconstruction.
• Lobby for the internally displaced and asylum seekers for resettlement.
• Promote women’s contribution to fostering social and economic development.

6.5 SWA’s Focal Points
Focal Points have been established in all the regions to mobilize women from the grassroots, to coordinate and implement SWA’s activities at the local level. N.B: The first member listed for every region in the list below, is also the focal point for the region. Puntland
WAWA/Business Women’s Association
2. Lower/Middle Juba
WAMO, SSWC, SWEA
3. Banadir
SWEA, IIDA, SSWC, CORD, FEPMA,HINNA
4. Lower Shabelle
IIDA, FATXA, AYAANDHALAD,HEEGAN
5. Middle Shabelle
KALSAN, OGAAL*,ALLAMAGAN
6. Galgaduud
MIDNIMO*, SSWC,ALLAMAGAN,KALSAN, IIDA
8. Mugud
HORSEED, WAWA, SSWC
9. Gedo
TAWAKAL*, WAMO
10 Bay
SAMAWADO*
11. Bakool
MAANDHEERE*, DELPHIA
12. Diaspora
IIDA-ITALY to facilitate Focal Point
* Member organizations of SWEA

6.6 SWA’s Programme Units
There are 6 programme units created to operationalise SWA’s activities. The lead organisations are chosen on the basis of their capacity and work experience, with the mandate to develop strategies for the unit. SWA’s Programme Unit and Lead Organisations. Unit
Lead Organisation
1. Fundraising
Somali Women in Diaspora(SWD)
2. International/Public Relations
SWD
3. Lobbying/Advocacy
WAWA and SWD
4. Research/Documentation
Youth-Link and SWD
5. Mobilisation
WAAMO and SWD
6. Monitoring/Evaluation
CORD and SWD

6.7 The Secretariat. The hand-on manager of SWA is the Executive Director who heads the secretariat based at SWA’s Headquarters . She:

• Undertakes overall management of SWA’s programmes.
• Oversees and facilitates implementation of programmes.
• Links SWA with country, regional and international processes.
• Implements the decisions of the Steering Committee
• Co-ordinates all emerging activities of SWA. Reporting to her are the Administrative Secretary, Accounts Assistant, Office Assistant and other support staff.