Women & Youth Empowerment

The Overview of Women & Youth Empowerment Services

Women and youth empowerment is a cross-cutting and core service area of the Garoodi Women Development Association (GWDA). Since its establishment, GWDA has been committed to promoting gender equality, protecting human rights, and empowering women, girls, and young people to actively participate in social, economic, and community development across Somaliland.

Women and youth in rural and marginalized communities often face poverty, limited access to education and skills, harmful traditional practices, unemployment, and social exclusion. GWDA addresses these challenges through inclusive, rights-based, and community-driven empowerment programs that build confidence, skills, leadership, and self-reliance.

Community Mobilization & Capacity Development

GWDA empowers women and youth through community-based training and mobilization to strengthen participation, resilience, and local leadership.

Activities include:

Community trainings and workshops
Mobilization of women and youth groups
Capacity building for self-reliance and sustainability

Target Beneficiaries

The Women & Youth Empowerment programme primarily serves:

Women and girls in rural and underserved communities
Youth and adolescents
Women-headed households
Minority and marginalized groups
Vulnerable families and individuals

Programme Approach

GWDA applies a participatory, gender-sensitive, and rights-based approach, ensuring that women and youth are not only beneficiaries but active partners in development. Programs are designed in collaboration with communities to ensure cultural relevance, ownership, and sustainability.

Expected Results

Increased participation of women and youth in social and economic life
Improved awareness of rights, health, and protection issues
Reduced harmful traditional practices
Enhanced economic self-reliance of women and youth
Stronger, more inclusive and resilient communities

Youth Empowerment & Skills Development

GWDA supports young people by strengthening their skills, knowledge, and opportunities to become productive and responsible members of society.

Activities include:

Vocational and life-skills training
Support for youth income-generating activities
Youth engagement in community development initiatives
Awareness programs on social responsibility and leadership

Human Rights Promotion

GWDA promotes and protects human rights, particularly for women, youth, and minority communities in both rural and urban areas.

Activities include:

Human rights awareness campaigns
Community dialogues on equality and inclusion
Advocacy for the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups

HIV/AIDS Awareness & Prevention

GWDA conducts awareness programs to reduce stigma and increase knowledge related to HIV/AIDS and reproductive health.

Activities include:

Community education sessions
Youth-focused awareness campaigns
Promotion of prevention, testing, and health-seeking behavior

Anti-FGM Campaigns

As part of its commitment to protecting girls and women, GWDA actively works to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Activities include:

Community mobilization and dialogue
Awareness sessions with religious and community leaders
Advocacy for behavioral change and protection of girls’ rights

Programme Purpose

The purpose of the Women & Youth Empowerment programme is to strengthen the capacity, voice, and economic independence of women and young people while promoting equality, protection, and participation in community decision-making.

Key Objectives

Promote gender equality and the protection of women’s and girls’ rights
Empower women and youth through education, skills development, and leadership opportunities
Reduce harmful traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Increase awareness of HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and social rights
Strengthen women’s economic participation and income-generating opportunities
Support vulnerable households through self-reliance initiatives
Enhance youth engagement in community development and peacebuilding
Promote inclusive participation of minority and marginalized groups