July 20, 2026 (Mogadishu, Somalia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), with financial support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Transition Support Facility (TSF), has officially launched the Building Women’s Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace (BWERSP) project in Somalia, reaffirming its commitment to advancing women’s leadership and inclusive peace-building across the region.
The launch workshop brought together representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, women peace committees, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, and community representatives to strengthen collaboration and establish a shared roadmap for implementing the project.
The meeting was officially opened by Mr Mohamed Bashir, Director General of the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Somalia.
Delivering IGAD’s remarks on behalf of H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, the IGAD Head of Mission to Somalia, Dr Mohamud Abdi Ahmed, highlighted that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without women’s full participation.
“Investing in women is not simply a matter of equity, it is a strategic investment in Somalia’s peace, stability, and sustainable development.”
Implemented in Somalia and South Sudan, the BWERSP project aims to strengthen women’s economic resilience, expand their participation in peace processes and decision-making, and build institutional capacity to support the Women, Peace and Security agenda. In Somalia, the project focuses on empowering women who are often excluded from peacebuilding, including internally displaced women, returnees, community leaders, and other marginalised groups.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to review project priorities, clarify roles and responsibilities, identify capacity-building needs, and strengthen coordination among government institutions, civil society, women peace committees, and development partners. Participants also discussed practical actions to enhance women’s leadership in peacebuilding and community resilience.
The launch marks an important milestone in operationalising the project in Somalia and reflects IGAD’s continued support for the country’s implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, in line with Somalia’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, the National Transformation Plan, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the IGAD Regional Strategy for Peace and Security.
By investing in women’s economic empowerment and leadership, IGAD and its partners are helping build more inclusive institutions, stronger communities, and a more peaceful and resilient Somalia.
