How Trócaire is ending gender-based violence in Somalia

Amina*, a mother-of-three from the Bay region of Somalia, was forced to flee her home when drought destroyed her crops and her animals died. 

The family sought refuge at a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in the Luuq district in Gedo, Somalia but the family continued to experience hunger and hardships.  

Not long after the family moved to the camp, Amina became a victim of sexual and physical harassment. This led to Amina suffering with depression, causing her to isolate from the community.  

Trócaire works in the Luuq district to end gender-based violence and to provide support to those affected. In Somalia, women are often victims of female genital mutilation and early forced marriage, rape, sexual assault, intimate partner violence and more.  

Trócaire provides support to survivors such as medical treatment, psychosocial support and GBV prevention and community response programmes. Trócaire also distributes dignity kits and solar lamps to women to increase safety during dark hours.  

Mustaf is one of Trócaire’s 23 programme support officer currently working in the Luuq district. He met Amina during one of his door-to-door visits to check on members of the community. 

Amina shared her story with Mustaf and Amina was referred to a protection centre where she could receive psychosocial assistance, medication and dignity kits. Amina attended several sessions, gradually finding some healing. 

Amina also participated in a women’s empowering skills training programme run by Trócaire and learned how to tailor clothes.  

“After all the support, my life changed for the better, and now I have all the necessary support from Trócaire,” Amina said. “My hope and request are that Trócaire continues to support the women and girls in Gedo.” 

*Names have been changed