Majority of all persons forcibly displaced by war, conflict and other factors in Somalia are women and children. As well as experiencing the traumas associated with forced displacement, women and girls find themselves at the extremes of vulnerability, exposed to the continuing threat of violence and sexual exploitation, trafficking, and sometimes compelled to succumb to pressures from those out to abuse them.
Gender-based violence can cause displacement, just as displacement exposes women and girls to gender-based violence. Fear of rape and other abuses can drive many women, girls and their families from their homes, leaving them exposed to further violence even as they seek out greater protections. Gender-based violence affects displaced women of every age – from young children to elderly women.
There are increasing cases of rape and other forms of sexual gender based violence of women and girls at the community, and internally displaced persons camps. In some cases, victims are unable or unwilling to return to their homes either for security reasons, or because their husbands have abandoned them. Some women fear repeat rapes, particularly if they return to their home areas. GECPD pays special attention to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of these women and girls through the provision of safe haven, medical, legal support and psychological care.
GECPD has also established child friendly spaces in 2 IDP settlements (Halabookhad and Buulo Baaley) in Galkayo to offer psycho-social recuperation to children traumatized by the effects of war or abuse and protect those at the risk of being abused and provided support to establish safe alternative livelihoods for women and girls at risk of livelihood related abuses.
Expected outcomes:
- Girls and women rescued from physical harm
- Girls and women in danger of physical harm provided with safe living conditions during the period of danger
- GBV and other traumatised survivors of violence and needy girls provided with psychosocial support and education in GECPD hostels
- Increased safety and security of girls and women in IDP camps including the vulnerable ones in the host communities
- Improved livelihood and economic power of vulnerable IDP girls and women through income generation
- Increased access to justice for survivors of GBV and other acts of violence
Survivors Pictures
