In its 2025 State of Women’s Press Freedom Report, the Somali Media Women Association (@SOMWA4) documents a marked escalation in harassment and violence against women journalists in Somalia, noting the highest recorded levels of assault, detention, and intimidation to date. Between November 2024 and October 2025, SOMWA verified more than 60 violations against journalists, encompassing arbitrary arrests, physical attacks, workplace discrimination, and related abuses. Additionally, the report identified 30 cases of digital censorship specifically targeting women media practitioners. The 2025 report extends beyond the compilation of incidents. Its purpose is to illuminate systemic patterns of gendered repression within the media sector and beyond, empower women journalists through visibility and advocacy, and mobilise national and international stakeholders to advance meaningful reform. In a context where the pursuit of truth continues to carry grave personal risk and where gender remains a determinant of professional access and safety, this evidence base serves as a critical tool for promoting both press freedom and gender equality in Somalia. Access the full report here 👇🏾. somwa.org/the-somwa-report-w…

📢National Mapping of Somali Women Journalists. Are you a woman working in the media in Somalia? This opportunity is for you! Don’t miss out! Register today by clicking the link below: ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/UEGcxkE… We will handle your information through a process that prioritises its protection and confidentiality. This initiative is implemented under the Women Economic & Social Empowerment – Making a Difference: Bilan Media Project. Your voice matters. Your participation makes a difference! SOMWA — Strengthening the Voices of Somali Women Journalists. Funded by the European Union. Supported by UNDP. Implemented by SOMWA.

Today, SOMWA held a positive and constructive meeting with the new @EU_in_Somalia 🇪🇺 Ambassador to Somalia, László Máthé. Discussions focused on media freedom, better working conditions for journalists, the safety and protection of women journalists, and the need for progressive laws that safeguard press freedom and promote gender equality in #Somalia. We highlighted the need for stronger support for women journalists, accountability for violations against media professionals, and sustainable partnerships to advance an independent, safe, and inclusive media environment. SOMWA looks forward to continued engagement with the EU to turn these shared priorities into meaningful action. 🇸🇴🇪🇺

Ma tahay haweeney ka shaqaysa warbaahinta Soomaaliya? Fursaddan adiga ayay ku khusaysaa! Haddaba, ha ka maqnaan! Isdiiwaangeli maanta adigoo gujinaya link-ga hoose: Link 📷 ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/UEGcxkE… Xogtaada waxaa loo maareyn doonaa hannaan mudnaan loo siinayo ilaalinteeda iyo asturnaanteeda. Codkaagu waa muhiim. Ka qaybqaadashadaadu*na* waa isbeddel! SOMWA — Xoojinta codka haweenka suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed. Waxaa maalgeliyay Midowga Yurub. Waxaa taageeray UNDP. Waxaa fuliyay SOMWA. #HaweenkaSuxufiyiinta #Soomaaliya #UNDP #EuropeanUnion #JournalismSomalia

As part of the *National Mapping of Somali Women Journalists* under the project “Strengthening Collective Voice, Protection, and Opportunities for Somali Women Journalists,” representatives of the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) visited the Astaan Media headquarters in Mogadishu. The SOMWA team met with women journalists working at Astaan Media, as well as some members of the organisation’s management, to engage with them about the national mapping initiative. 📣 *Are you a woman working in the media sector? Register today!* Click the link below to participate. *Registration link 👉🏾* https:// ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/UEGcxkE… 🔒 *Data Protection:* Your safety and data privacy are our top priorities. All information collected will be securely stored in a database with a three-tier access system and strict privacy protection protocols. 📢 Please share this call with women journalists in your networks to help us reach more women working in the media sector across Somalia. *Funded by the European Union. Supported by UNDP. Implemented by SOMWA.* Iyadoo lagu guda jiro Tiro Koobka Qaranka ee Haweenka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliya ee mashruuca ''Xoojinta Codka Wadajirka ah, Bed-qabka iyo Fursadaha Haweenka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed'' ayaa xubno ka socda ururka SOMWA waxa ay booqeen Xaruunta Dhexe ee Warbaahinta Astaan xaruuntiisa magaalada Mogadishu. Xubnaha SOMWA ayaa halkaas kula kulmey gabdhaha suxufiyiinta ee ka shaqeeya xaruunta iyo qaar ka mid ah madaxda Astaan. Ma tahay haweeney ka shaqaysa warbaahinta? Maanta isu diiwaangeli! Guji link-ga hoose si aad uga qaybqaadato. Link 👉🏾 https:// ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/UEGcxkE… 🔒 Ilaalinta Xogta: bed-qabka iyo asturnaanta xogtaadu waa mudnaantayada koowaad. Dhammaan xogta la ururiyo waxaa si ammaan ah loogu kaydin doonaa keyd xogeed leh nidaam saddex-heer ah oo gelitaan (three-tier access database) iyo habraacyo adag oo ilaalinta asturnaanta ah. Fadlan la wadaag baaqan haweenka suxufiyiinta ah ee shabakadahaaga ku jira. Waxaa maalgeliyay Midowga Yurub. Waxaa taageeray UNDP. Waxaa fuliyay SOMWA. #HaweenkaSuxufiyiinta #Soomaaliya #SinnaantaJinsiga #UNDP #EuropeanUnion #JournalismSomalia

📣 Registration Call-to-Action. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. Women journalists and media professionals are invited to register for the National Database by scanning the QR code on this post and completing the registration form. Media houses, partners, and stakeholders are warmly asked to share this call with the women journalists in their networks. Your security comes first. All responses are securely stored in a three-tier access database with strict privacy controls. Link 👉🏾 https:// ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/UEGcxkE… Funded by the European Union. Supported by UNDP. Implemented by SOMWA. @EU_in_Somalia @UNDPSomalia #WomenJournalists #Somalia #GenderEquality #UNDP #EuropeanUnion #JournalismSomalia

📣 OGEYSIIS HAWEENKA SUXUFIYIINTA SOOMAALIYEED! CODKIINU WAA MUHIIM! 🇸🇴✨ Ma tahay haweeney ka shaqaysa warbaahinta meel kasta oo Soomaaliya ka mid ah? Sheekadaada, waayo-aragnimadaada iyo mustaqbalkaaga waa muhiim! Ururka Haweenka Saxaafadda Soomaaliyeed (SOMWA) ayaa waddanka oo dhan ka fulinaya Khariidaynta Qaranka ee Haweenka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed, taas oo qayb ka ah mashruuca Xoojinta Codka Wadajirka ah, Ilaalinta iyo Fursadaha Haweenka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed. Hindisahan qaran wuxuu ujeedkiisu yahay: ✅ In la hubiyo in haweenka suxufiyiinta ah si sax ah loo aqoonsado, loo matalo loona taageero. ✅ In xogta iyo natiijooyinka loo adeegsado hagidda dadaallada mustaqbalka ee u doodista, badbaadada iyo ilaalinta haweenka suxufiyiinta, gaar ahaan meelaha baahidu ugu badan tahay. ✅ In haweenka ka shaqeeya warbaahinta lagu xiro tababbarro xirfadeed, hagitaan (mentorship) iyo fursado shaqo iyo horumarineed. 🔒 Ilaalinta Xogta: bed-qabka iyo asturnaanta xogtaadu waa mudnaantayada koowaad. Dhammaan xogta la ururiyo waxaa si ammaan ah loogu kaydin doonaa keyd xogeed leh nidaam saddex-heer ah oo gelitaan (three-tier access database) iyo habraacyo adag oo ilaalinta asturnaanta ah. 📲 Sidee ayaad uga qaybqaadan kartaa? Sawir QR code-ka ku yaalla flyer-ka 👇🏾 ama guji link-ga hoose si aad maanta isu diiwaangeliso: 👉🏾 ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/UEGcxkE… Ka qaybqaadashadaadu waxay naga caawinaysaa inaan helno sawir dhab ah oo dhammaystiran oo ku saabsan haweenka ka shaqeeya warbaahinta Soomaaliya, isla markaana aan si wanaagsan uga shaqayno baahiyahooda iyo fursadahooda. Waxaa maalgeliyay Midowga Yurub. Waxaa taageeray UNDP. Waxaa fuliyay SOMWA. @EU_in_Somalia @UNDPSomalia #HaweenkaSuxufiyiinta #Soomaaliya #SinnaantaJinsiga #UNDP #EuropeanUnion #JournalismSomalia

📣 ATTENTION SOMALI WOMEN JOURNALISTS! YOUR VOICE MATTERS! 🇸🇴✨ Are you a woman working in media across Somalia? Your story, your experiences, and your future matter! Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) is conducting a National Mapping of Somali Women Journalists under the Strengthening Collective Voice, Protection and Opportunities for Somali Women Journalists project. This national initiative aims to: ✅ Ensure women journalists are properly seen, represented, and supported ✅ Direct future advocacy, safety, and protection programs where they are needed most ✅ Connect women media workers with professional training, mentorship, and opportunities 🔒 Data Protection: Your security comes first. All responses are securely stored in a three-tier access database with strict privacy controls. 📲 How to join: Scan the QR code on the flyer 👇🏾 or click the link to register today! Link 👉🏾 https:// ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/UEGcxkE… Funded by the European Union. Supported by UNDP. Implemented by SOMWA. @EU_in_Somalia @UNDPSomalia #WomenJournalists #Somalia #GenderEquality #UNDP #EuropeanUnion #JournalismSomalia

🚨 Somali journalists and media actors are facing a renewed wave of Facebook restrictions. Gaylan Media, Munasar Mohamed, Shiine Culey, Ali Adan Muumin, Mohamed Abdi Muudey and Zakariye Timacade are among those affected. Repeated disablements and false memorialisation threaten access to information, media freedom and freedom of expression. We call on Meta to urgently investigate these cases, prevent abuse of its reporting systems, and protect legitimate journalism and public-interest voices. Full report👇🏾 somwa.org/somali-journalists… #Somalia #MediaFreedom #FreedomOfExpression #Journalism

🚨 Somali journalists & media face coordinated Facebook attacks. Affected include Farah Geylan/Geylan Media (+1M), Abdirisak Atosh/Salbaar Media (+2M), Abdijaliil Osman, Mr Cantuuge & Timacade. SOMWA has documented 20+ cases in 2026 involving alleged false copyright claims and abuse of Meta’s reporting systems. When journalists are silenced online, media freedom and freedom of expression are at risk. We call on Meta to urgently investigate, restore wrongly disabled accounts and stop coordinated abuse of its policies. Full report👇🏾somwa.org/somali-journalists… #Somalia #MediaFreedom #PressFreedom #Meta

SOMWA participated in the 2-day National Strategic Communication Forum 2026, held in Mogadishu on Sept. 7–8 and organised by the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism. SOMWA Executive Director Maryan Seylac joined a panel on information integrity in the digital age, stressing the need for accurate information, responsible journalism and strong verification mechanisms. “Somalia must fight disinformation and misinformation without fighting free expression and independent journalism.” Full report 👇🏾 somwa.org/somwa-participates… #SOMWA #StrategicCommunication #InformationIntegrity #PressFreedom #Somalia

🚨 **SOMWA condemns the assault of journalist Shukri Abdi**, a reporter with Shabelle Radio and Television, by members of the Somali police in Mogadishu. While covering protests in Abdicasiis district, Shukri’s phone was seized before two mobile police officers physically assaulted her, leaving her injured and requiring hospital treatment. Journalists must be protected, not attacked, while doing their work. We call for accountability and a prompt investigation into this serious violation of press freedom. #Somalia #PressFreedom #JournalistSafety #SOMWA