PROFILE AND BRIEF HISTORY

BOUT US

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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.