Somalia "Stronger Together": Healthcare provision and the strengthening of women’s rights in Somalia Programs Decades of conflict and recurring climatic shocks have led to widespread displacement and poverty, worsening the health of the Somali population and placing a severe strain on the country’s already fragile healthcare system. About 6.9 million people depend on humanitarian assistance, and Somalia ranks first in the Fragile States Index (FSI 2024). Morbidity and mortality rates remain high. According to UNICEF and UN estimates, Somalia has one of the highest under‑five mortality rates globally, with up to 104 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the sixth‑highest maternal mortality rate, at 621 deaths per 100,000 live births. Access to skilled birth attendance continues to be severely limited: only about one third of births (around 32%) are attended by trained health personnel. Malnutrition and human rights violations remain acute concerns An estimated 1.7 million children aged 6 to 59 months are suffering from acute malnutrition, including more than 460,000 children with severe acute malnutrition. In addition, around one quarter of the population is affected by acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or higher). Climate shocks, ongoing conflict, displacement, and cuts to humanitarian funding are deepening the vicious cycle of poverty, disease, and undernutrition, particularly affecting pregnant and lactating women and children. Women and girls have limited autonomy over their own health and that of their children, as decisions regarding healthcare services are typically made by husbands or male elders. In addition, they are exposed to significant human rights violations and protection risks, including child marriage, female genital mutilation, physical and sexual violence, and forced marriage. This particularly vulnerable group also suffers from limited access to education and sexual and reproductive health information, restricted decision-making power over their own health, forced labor, and limited income-generating opportunities. Project descriptionProject Goal: "Stronger Together": Together - from the grassroots to the national level - we are working to strengthen maternal and child health as well as women’s rights in Banadir, Somalia.Project Focus: Healthcare provision and the strengthening of women's rightsProject Area: Somalia, region Banadir, in the districts Deynile, Hodan, Abdiaziz, Waberi, Yaqshid, Karaan und ShanganiProject Activities: The population and institutional actors in the districts of Deynile, Shangani, and Hodan are sensitized to women’s rights and protection issues—including sexual and gender-based violence, FGM/C (female genital mutilation/cutting), child marriage, and forced marriage—through advocacy events and training sessions for various stakeholders. In addition, the technical capacities and skills of staff from the three women’s organizations are strengthened to enable them to carry out awareness-raising and advocacy activities in their respective districts. Three health facilities in the districts of Deynile, Shangani, and Hodan are better equipped in the area of maternal and child health, and their health personnel are trained in maternal and child health, gender-based violence, FGM/C, and inclusion. The capacities of the district health teams are strengthened, including through training on management and women’s rights as well as regular evaluation and supervision sessions. Project Duration: September 2024 – August 2027Financial Volume: 2,847,506 EuroPartner Organisation: WARDI Relief and Development Initiatives (WARDI), Somaliland Women Development Association (SOWDA), Humanitarian Umbrella for Relief and Development Organization (HURDO), Women's Initiative for Sustainable Future (WFS)Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany (BMZ)Project Number: 6000240 Ihr Ansprechpartner Ajeeb Al-Mamari Programme Manager Somalia Phone: +49 2156 9788-128 TPL_EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.