UK LAUNCHES GAASHAAN PROJECT TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF GENDERBASED-VIOLENCE

• UK’s top diplomat joins Somali Minister for Women, Human Rights and Development
  Amina Hassan Ali to launch Gaashaan in Mogadishu.
• The launch event, hosted by journalist Ifrah Noor, includes Somali delivery partners
  and Save the Children, CARE and the International Rescue Committee.
• UK funding to the Gaashaan project will support survivors of gender-based violence,
  tackle child protection concerns as well as empower local women rights
  organisations to end gender-based violence in humanitarian crises.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the UK’s top diplomat, Sir Philip Barton, joined British
Ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis and Somali Minister for Women, Human Rights
and Development Amina Hassan Ali to launch the UK’s flagship Gaashaan project, which will
support survivors of gender-based violence across Somalia.
The launch event, held on 4 March, featured a roundtable discussion on women’s political
empowerment and women’s rights in Somalia, chaired by Chief Editor of Bilan Media, Ifrah
Noor. The event also recognised the efforts of women’s rights organisations in addressing
risks faced by women and children in Somalia.

Ifrah Noor said after the roundtable discussion:

“Women’s participation in political spaces can only be fully achieved if proper
accommodations are made. We have to finance, equip and train women to be
influential leaders and to turn our words into action.”

Partners delivering the project, including Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee,
CARE, Save Somali Women and Children, Somali Women and Development Centre Somali Women’sStudies Centre, and Gargaar Relief and Development Organisation spoke to invitees about the impactof the project, which is already improving lives across the country.

British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, said at the launch:

“As we prepare to mark International Women’s Day, it was fantastic to welcome
Minister Amina Hassan Ali and partners to launch our flagship women and girls
programme – Gaashaan.
The Gaashaan programme will have a tangible impact on the lives of Somali women
and girls, addressing impacts of climate shocks and conflict by offering support to
survivors of gender-based violence.”

Somali Minister Amina Hassan Ali, also spoke at the launch:

“We are very pleased with the UK’s support in protecting Somali women and children.
On behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia, the Ministry of Women, Human
Rights and Development is delighted to commemorate International Women’s Day
with the launch of Gaashaan project.”

In December, the UK announced £15 million to establish Gaashaan and help support
survivors of gender-based violence over the next four years.

The Gaashaan project (which in Somali means “shield”), will reach over 117,000 people,
offering improved access to specialised protection services. It will also work to empower
grassroot communities and women’s rights organisations, to prevent gender-based violence
and other forms of violence impacting women. The project will also help tackle child
protection concerns. All of these challenges are compounded by conflict and climate change
in Somalia.

Notes to Editors

• You can follow UK activity in Somalia on Twitter/X and Facebook (@UKinSomalia) or
  at www.gov.uk/world/somalia/news
• Further information on the UK-Somalia development partnership can be found here.

For further enquiries, please contact:
Georgina Woodhouse-Hills, Head of Communications, British Embassy Mogadishu, +254
114 878 117, georgina.woodhouse-hills@fcdo.gov.uk