A
Somali Women
Journalists Organization (SWJO) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization
exclusively dedicated to women journalists. Our membership comprises 253 women
journalists operating in both rural and urban areas of Somalia and the Somali
Diaspora. Established in 2013 in the Benadir region of Mogadishu, SWJO is a
volunteer-run organization with a presence in Somali and Puntland regions.
At SWJO, we
strongly believe in the transformative power of the media as an instrument for
social change and agenda-setting. We harness this power to raise awareness
about critical issues impacting women in the media sector within Somalia. Our
organization conducts empowerment programs tailored for women journalists, as
well as women in leadership roles, including marginalized communities. These
programs aim to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively
employ media as a tool for advancing their agendas and addressing their
concerns.
One of our core
objectives is to enhance the visibility of women, particularly in leadership
positions, within Somali society. In pursuit of this goal, SWJO places a strong
emphasis on advocacy training. We work diligently to provide women in
leadership roles with the advocacy skills necessary to amplify their voices,
advocate for their rights, and drive change at the policy and decision-making
levels. Our efforts extend to promoting women's active participation in
corporate media entities and across the Somali society.
Furthermore,
SWJO takes a proactive approach in building journalists' capacity to comprehend
women's issues spanning all sectors of the Somali economy. We engage in the
strategic packaging and widespread dissemination of information related to
women, the media, and the invaluable role played by women journalists. Through
these initiatives, we aspire to enable Somali society to make well-informed
choices and foster a shift away from negative attitudes towards women in media
and our broader community.