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USAID/ Somalia - Success Stories
›Bringing Rights-Based Programming to Puntland, Somalia
›New Economic Opportunities for Women in Hargessa, SomalilandBringing Rights-Based Programming
to Puntland, SomaliaDiscussing rights-based training in Puntland can be sensitive. In this very traditional society, roles are clearly divided between men and women, as theyhave been for hundreds of years. Women are often as uncomfortable with the idea of change as the men are. Gender issues in Somalia are seen as political, as western ideas forced on to Somali culture by NGOs. So it was not surprising that there were concerns raised by the local administration when USAID's partner, CARE, decided to hold a gender training in Bosasso.
The training was intended to teach the local partners how to incorporate gender issues into program planning. Unfortunately, the government stopped the training with partners, claiming that the content was not appropriate for the Somali society. Even CARE's field staff was hesitant about rights-based programming. Consequently, CARE decided to start the process with its own staff.
The training began with a discussion of the different roles of women and men in society, an exploration of who enjoyed performing which tasks, and if there were any tasks normally assigned to the other gender that men or women would like to try out. In this way, participants in the training began to understand that rights-based programming is not about inserting women into predetermined roles, but rather, building a program around the strengths and interests of the group. CARE staff came away from the training with a new perspective, and became strong advocates for the new approach with the government.
After two months of careful negotiations, the Puntland government agreed to a training in Ghardo. In addition to local NGOs, members of the Puntland government were invited, to show that this was an open and transparent process. Representatives from the Puntland regional government, the Ghardo local government, the Bari regional administration, the director of the Department of Environment, and the director of the Department of Agriculture attended.
The training was an overwhelming success in changing perspectives and attitudes. In fact, the Puntland government has now decided to use this approach to rights-based training as the model for future gender trainings. They stated that this approach "respects the culture and considered gender within the Somali context." Acceptance of the concept of rights-based programming is a significant step forward in a place as traditional as Puntland, and the new understanding and interest shown by the government has opened a new door for all Somalia stakeholders.
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New Economic Opportunities for
Women in Hargessa, SomalilandCommittee of Concerned Somalis (CCS) in Hargessa, Somaliland, is one of USAID's partners in the employment generation sector. The organization was started in 1992, and targets women head of households. One of their main projects is a revolving loan fund where the women can borrow funds to start an income generating activity or strengthen an existing one.
This partnership started in 1997 when CCS was selected for the capacity building program to implement the Skills Development Center Project. With a budget of $110,411, CCS was expected to train 180 women in tailoring and tie and dye skills over a 22-month period. Ultimately CCS trained a total of 300 women in basic business management skills, and, when necessary, basic literacy and numeracy. After completing the training, the women were able to take loans from the revolving loan fund and start businesses.
Tie and dye is a new skill in Hargessa, and the students approached the training-and the employment opportunities it created-with unexpected zeal. They were optimistic about their business opportunities, because they were introducing a new product to the market. An unexpected challenge faced by the women was that, in order to have a good quality product, the dyes and fabric needed to be imported into Somalia. The loans provided from the loan fund, however, were too small to address this quality control issue. One group of three women, managed to pool additional family resources and find a relative in Kenya to assist with the importing of raw materials. All of the loans taken by the tie-dye trainees have now been repaid and the women are surviving on the profit they make from sales.
CCS has opened a shop in the center of Hargessa to sell the new tie-dye products. The site also continues to function as a production and training center. CCS participated in the Hargessa Trade Fair March 3-6, 2001, with a booth showing the variety of products produced by the women's groups associated with their organization. The trade fair received coverage from the international press, and increased awareness of the diversity of products and resources available for further development in Somaliland.
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More about USAID Somalia
USAID/ AFR Success Stories
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Updated: Wednesday, January 9, 2002
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Last Updated on: July 19, 2004 |
