UK funding to Gaashaan project will support survivors of
sexual and gender-based violence in Somalia.
£15 million of funding announced during the 16 Days of
Activism Against Gender Based Violence will empower communities
to work to end sexual and gender based violence and tackle child
protection concerns.
To mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence,
the British Embassy Mogadishu last week announced the launch of
Gaashaan, a £15 million project to help support survivors of
sexual and gender-based violence.
The Gaashaan project (which in Somali means “shield”), will reach
over 117,000 people, offering improved access to specialised
protection services for communities in Somalia impacted by El
Niño. It will also work to empower communities, working with them
to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and other forms of
violence impacting women and children. The project will also help
tackle child protection concerns, all of which are compounded and
increased by conflict and climate change occurrences.
Speaking at the time of the launch, Development Director,
British Embassy Mogadishu, Damon Bristow, said:
This is another important milestone to address gender based
violence and the harm it causes. It also shows UK’s continued
commitment to support Somali women and girls so they can reach
their full potential.
In the first six months, the project will respond to the impacts
of El Niño, aiming to reach about 5,000 women and children
directly impacted by severe flooding in Somalia.
The project will run for five years and will be delivered by a
consortium of six partners led by Save the Children working
alongside the International Rescue Committee, CARE International
and four National NGOs: Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC),
Somali Women and Development Centre (SWDC), Somali Women’s
Studies Centre (SWSC) and Gargaar Relief and Development
Organisation (GREDO).
Khadra Jama, Director, Gaashaan Consortium, said in a
statement:
Somali women and children face numerous challenges including a
protracted security situation in the country coupled with the
impact of climate change in Somalia. The United Kingdom’s support
comes as Somalia needs it most, as millions of Somalis have been
displaced due to flooding.
We are grateful to the British Embassy for providing Somali women
and children, along with other vulnerable groups, with much
needed and timely support.
Women and children are the ones who suffer the most during
humanitarian crises like El Niño and this assistance will give
them immediate protection and support.
Notes to editors
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You can follow UK activity in Somalia on Twitter/X and
Facebook @UKinSomalia or at
www.gov.uk/world/somalia/news
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Further information on the UK-Somalia development partnership
can be found here.
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Through the Humanitarian and Resilience Building in Somalia
(HARBS) emergency programme (Oct 2022 to March 2023) the UK
delivered a £3 million project to enable UNFPA respond to the
rising incidents of GBV amongst displaced populations in
Dolow, Beletweyne, Baidoa, Kismayo and Kahda (Banadir). The
support reached 34,000 women and girls with various
interventions that include clinical management of rape,
psychosocial support, emergency reproductive and family
planning services.
