Our Work
GECPD's impact spans across two states in Somalia:
Promoting Girls' Education
At GECPD, we believe that education is the cornerstone of empowerment and societal progress. Our education development programs focus on three critical areas:
- Promoting increased g Girls’ Enrollment and Retention rates in Formal Education Programs:
- We run dedicated schools for girls, providing a safe and supportive learning environment.
- Our programs address barriers to education such as early marriage, , gender stereotypes and cultural biases including management of the maturation process and menstruation.
- We engage with communities to promote the value of girls’ education.
- Promoting Non-Formal Education for Women and Girls:
- We offer second-chance education opportunities for women who missed out on an earlier opportunity for formal schooling.
- We offer Adult Literacy programs to impart functional literacy to women who missed an opportunity for education earlier in life.
- Our curriculum combines basic literacy and numeracy with life skills and rights awareness.
- Classes are flexible to mitigate the opportunity cost of the women and girls attending education programs.
- Early Childhood Education (ECE):
- We’ve established ECE centres to provide a strong foundation for young learners.
- Our ECE programs focus on holistic child development, including cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
- We train local women as ECE educators, creating employment opportunities within communities.
Economic Self-Reliance
GECPD’s economic self-reliance programs aim to break the cycle of poverty and dependency by equipping women and youth with the skills and resources they need to thrive economically. Our approach includes:
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training:
- We offer a range of vocational courses tailored to local market needs, including Tailoring and Garment Making; Hair Dressing and Beautification; Catering and Hospitality Management; Carpentry and Joinery; Welding and Metal Fabrication; Electrical Installation and Wiring; .
- Our training programs include Entrepreneurship and Business Management Skills modules to support women and youth engaged in Business.
- Employment Facilitation:
- We partner with local businesses to create internship and job placement opportunities for our graduates.
- Our career counselling services help trainees identify and pursue suitable employment options.
- Conduct market studies to identify market skill needs which inform our course content hence enhancing the employability of our TVET graduates.
- Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Programs:
- We train rural communities in sustainable farming techniques that are resilient to climate change.
- Through our CSA demonstration plots, we have developed resilience by teaching communities water conservation techniques, drought-resistant crops, and soil management.
- Access to Business Capital:
- Through partnerships, we have enhanced access to business grants, and investment capital to women and youth entrepreneurs.
- Our business incubation services support women and youth in developing and implementing business plans.
Through these programs, we’re not just creating individual success stories, but building a more robust and inclusive economy for Somalia.
Human Rights
GECPD is committed to creating a more inclusive and equal society for all Somalis, with a particular focus on women, girls, and marginalized groups. Our work in this area encompasses:
- Social Protection:
- We run awareness campaigns on GBV, including health risks and human rights violations associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other negative social norms.
- Our safe shelters provide protection and support services for survivors of gender-based violence and those at risk.
- We offer Psychosocial support and counselling services through the healing process for survivors of human rights violations.
- Civic and Human Rights:
- We advocate for policies that protect and promote women’s rights at local and national levels.
- Our programs encourage and facilitate women’s participation in political processes and decision-making.
- We conduct community education on human rights, focusing on women’s and children’s rights.
- Capacity Building:
- We provide training to local authorities, community leaders, and other stakeholders on gender-sensitive approaches and rights-based development.
- Our programs strengthen local women and youth organizations to effectively advocate for their rights and participate in key community decision making processes and development..
- Youth Empowerment:
- We run leadership development programs for young women and men.
- Our youth centers provide spaces for skills development, mentorship, and recreational activities.
- We support youth-led initiatives that address community challenges.
Through these multi-faceted approaches, we’re working to create a Somalia where every individual’s rights are respected and protected.
Humanitarian Response
In a region prone to natural disasters and conflicts, GECPD plays a crucial role in emergency response and building community resilience. Our work in this area includes:
- Disaster Preparedness:
- We conduct community-based disaster risk assessments and develop local emergency response plans.
- Our training programs equip communities with skills in first aid, evacuation procedures, and early warning systems.
- Emergency Assistance:
- During crises such as droughts or floods, we provide immediate relief including food, water, and temporary shelter.
- Our mobile health teams offer emergency medical services in affected areas.
- Climate Change Awareness:
- We run education programs on climate change causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies.
- Our environmental conservation initiatives include tree planting and waste management projects.
- Rebuilding and Recovery:
- Post-disaster, we support communities in rebuilding infrastructure and livelihoods.
- Our psychosocial support programs help individuals and communities recover from trauma.
Through our emergency response work, we aim to not only provide immediate relief but also build long-term resilience in Somali communities.