DISCLAIMER This publication is produced with funding from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. However, the views expressed and the content included do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Cover photo: SIHA Network Somaliland Women Press Club Design: Marce Digital
Published: August 2024 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior approval in writing from The Research Team and SIHA Network. This Paper is not a legally binding document. It is a collaborative informational and assessment document and does not reflect the views of any of the contributing partners in all its contents. Any errors are the sole responsibility of the authors. Copyright © 2024 SIHA Network
Silenced Suffering: Unveiling Sexual Violence Against Displaced and Minority Women in Somalia and Somaliland.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research report of the “We Have Rights: Protecting IDP and Minority Women and Girls from SGBV in South Central Somalia and Somaliland” project was prepared by Guleid Ahmed Jama and reviewed and edited by Olivia Bueno. The research covers Somalia and Somaliland and was conducted between September and November 2023. The review and updating was conducted in May 2024. We would like to thank all the people who made this possible: the study participants including government stakeholders, community leaders and representatives from IDP and minority communities. Special thanks go to the SIHA Somalia and Somaliland staff who helped to coordinate the project and provided guidance throughout the process. Sincere gratitude to the SIHA Regional Team including Hala Al-Karib, the Regional Director; Faizat Badmus-Busari, the Regional Programme Manager; Mercy Owuor, the Regional Projects & MEAL Coordinator; Sandra Nassali, the Regional Advocacy and Communications Coordinator; and Faith James, the Regional Research and Advocacy Officer for their contributions and guidance throughout the process. Finally, this research would not have been possible without the funding from UN Trust Fund. The study will inform interventions to protect women and girls particularly from IDP and minority communities in Somalia and Somaliland from sexual violence.
Silenced Suffering: Unveiling Sexual Violence Against Displaced and Minority Women in Somalia and Somaliland.
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CONTENTS Acknowledgements___________________________________________________________ 3 List of abbreviations___________________________________________________________ 5 Definition of key terms ________________________________________________________ 6 This section defines the key concepts used in this report. _______________________ 6 Executive Summary___________________________________________________________ 8 Background___________________________________________________________________ 9 Methodology__________________________________________________________________ 10 Prevalence of Sexual Violence in Somalia and Somaliland_______________________ 11 Drivers of Sexual Violence in Somalia and Somaliland___________________________ 18 Cultural attitudes______________________________________________________________ 18 Insecurity and the absence of protective measures_____________________________ 18 Impunity and weak protective measures_______________________________________ 19 Effects of Sexual Violence in Somalia and Somaliland___________________________ 21 Legal framework_______________________________________________________________ 22 International legal framework _________________________________________________ 22 Types of law___________________________________________________________________ 22 National law in Somalia and Somaliland________________________________________ 24 Conclusion and Recommendations____________________________________________ 25 Articles, Books and Reports ___________________________________________________ 28
Silenced Suffering: Unveiling Sexual Violence Against Displaced and Minority Women in Somalia and Somaliland.
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS CSOs
Civil Society Organizations
GBV
Gender-Based Violence
IDPs
Internally Displaced Persons
IPV
Intimate Partner Violence
NGO(s)
Non-Governmental organisation(s)
OCHA
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
SEA
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
SGBV
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
SV
Sexual Violence
UNODC
United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime
UNFPA
United Nations Population Fund
Silenced Suffering: Unveiling Sexual Violence Against Displaced and Minority Women in Somalia and Somaliland.
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