Need The long-lasting civil war has left Somalia among the poorest and most volatile places in the world. Human rights abuses especially towards women and children have become common place – including random violence, killings, displacement, and deprivation of basic necessities of life such as food, shelter and medical care. Without education and legal ways to earn a living, children and youth are easily conscripted into the militias which rule in many parts of the country where there is no government imposed law and order. Many more are forced to seek refuge across the borders and in Western countries through often dangerous and illegal routes. While the entire population face brutal consequences of the instability, women continue to bear the full brunt of this humanitarian and political crisis. When they are not directly targeted by the conflicting groups, they are often left with the burden of being the sole breadwinners for their families. The majority of those in internally displaced people camps in Somalia are women. In the midst of all the chaos, mass media in Somalia has often been used as a tool for fueling conflict and creating division. This BBC World Service Trust project is necessary to enable journalists and human rights groups to work closely together to use the media as a force for good in Somalia. We will help these groups seek ways of using the power of media for the common good of Somalia, through the production of radio programmes meeting the needs of Somali women that will be used to promote peace, human rights and provide education. Goals Mass media, especially radio, is one of the most powerful communications tools which reaches all corners of Somalia. Our project will give the general public the opportunity to participate in important discussions and debates through radio. It will set a women’s/human rights and peace building agenda in partnership with the women’s network, the Somali Women’s Agenda (SWA) and the local media. Through use of mass media, we will provide a voice to Somali citizens, especially women and youth who are often not given the chance to participate in the mass media. By taking part in the production of the programmes they will act as role models to others to participate in the quest for human rights for all, increased equality for Somali women and peaceful resolution to the conflict in the country. The Somali Women’s Media project will achieve this by training the SWA women’s network to run effective awareness media campaigns, mentoring local journalists and reaching millions of Somalis through affordable and available mass media. Radio programmes and public debates run by the SWA women’s organisation will get people talking and build bridges between ordinary Somalis, local NGOs and the Somali authorities. What are we going to do? • Train local journalists to produce radio programmes about peace building with a focus on women and women’s issues; • Work with the local NGO, Somali Women’s Agenda (SWA), to creatively use media to promote peace, gender issues, human rights and better government. • Create a dialogue between Somalis and government officials through local debates organised by SWA • Create awareness and enhance peace, human rights and good governance among Somali radio listeners, especially youth and women The duration of this project is 18 months. To learn more about this project or the BBC World Service Trust, please contact Jeremy Douglas at jeremy.douglas@bbc.co.uk or on +44 (0)207 557 2559.