STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTOR

The Republic of Somaliland formerly British Protectorate declared its independence from united Somalia after the total collapse of Somalia on 18 May 1991 and the country still awaits international recognition. The country has a population of about 3.5 million people. Most local residents belong to the Somali ethnicity, Somalia’s largest demographic group. Fifty-five per cent of the population is either nomadic or semi-nomadic, while 45% live in urban centers or rural towns, which include the capital city Hargeisa with an estimated population of 0.65 million and Burao, Borama, Berbera, Erigavo and Las Anod. The main religion practiced is Islam – Sunni. Follow us on Facebook

USWO STAFF AND OXFAM NOVIB GLOBAL FUND G.F Y 2 CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM

USWO Harg:- During 6 months attachment with USWO Civil Society Organization, Amina M. Rodal - A local consultant and trainer in organizational development from Oxfam Novib has assisted the organization in the production of Internal System Policies and Procedures "8 ISPP" Manuals, three years strategic plan and provided training both in filling up Organizational Development And Training "ODAT" GAPS, Organizational Best practices and HIV/AIDS awareness.

AN OFFICIAL DELEGATE VISITED USWO OFFICE AND CORDIALLY WELCOMED

USWO office - Hargeisa has cordially welcomed an official delegate from IIDA Women's Development Organization during their visit to USWO office - Hargeisa, Somaliland for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of a project entitled to "Support to the Promotion of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Somalia Funded by European Union (EU)".

LOOMA OOYAAN – NO ONE CRIES FOR THEM: THE PREDICAMENT FACING SOMALIA’S MINORITY WOMEN

USWO Organization - Somaliland: Minority Somali women and girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence due to poverty, marginalization and discriminatory attitudes, but this is often ignored by the authorities and the clans, say Minority Rights Group International (MRG) and IIDA Women's Development Organization in a new report. The report, Looma Ooyan - No one cries for them: The Predicament Facing Somalia's Minority Women, says the perpetrators of these abuses include members of dominant clans, militias and security forces, as well as men from minority communities.

SUPPORT TO PROMOTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF GENDER EQUALITY AND INCLUSION OF MINORITY WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROJECT

There has been a touchable improvement on minority women’s rights so far reached and achieved after the implementation of the project first phase on October to December 2014. The outputs of the project previous phase has resulted in and caused the enlargement of minority rights activist groups, pressure groups; as well as, potential women’s rights advocates who represent lead module of gender equality and stand for empowered minority women targeting to raise up their role in the society and in the way forward be widely heard around the country and make addressing their rights as a national democratic and sensitive issue.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY HIGH PROFILED DELEGATES FROM GOVERNMENT OF SOMALILAND AT THE END OF NATIONAL GENDER SOLIDARITY FORUM

Hargeisa: Today Wednesday 28 Jan 2015, USWO organization; in collaboration with IIDA organization, held a national gender solidarity forum on exposing minority women's role in political participation first time in history at Maansoor Hotel - Hargeisa in Somaliland.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY HIGH PROFILED DELEGATES OF ONE DAY NATIONAL GENDER SOLIDARITY FORUM IN SOMALILAND

Hargeisa: Today Wednesday 28 Jan 2015, USWO organization; in collaboration with IIDA organization, held a national gender solidarity forum on exposing minority women's role in political participation first time in history at Maansoor Hotel - Hargeisa in Somaliland. This communique was issued at the end of national gender solidarity forum launched by USWO organization at Maansoor Hotel – Hargeisa, Somaliland. The participants of this meeting include senior officials from political parties, respected human rights activists from civil society groups, government ministers, religious and traditional leaders.

50 MINORITY WOMEN HAVE BEEN TRAINED ON MINORITY RIGHT ADVOCACY SKILLS, POLITICAL PEACE PARTICIPATION, COUNTRY DECISION-MAKING AND ENHANCING GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT IN SOMALILAND

USWO organization: 50 minority women, selected as active community committees from Daami A&B Minority IDP camps in Hargeisa, have been trained on minority rights advocacy techniques, political peace participation, country decision-making and enhancing the equality of gender and women's rights empowerment in Somaliland.