EUCAP Somalia and EUTM Somalia: Seminar on gender equality in the Somali Defense and Security Forces

As Somalia advances with institutional reconstruction, stabilization, and security sector reforms, the seminar created space to exchange on how gender dimensions are being integrated in policy, internal institutional practices, and operational capacity-building. The overarching theme on barriers and opportunities for women’s participation in uniformed functions aligned directly with preparations of Somalia’s 2nd National Action Plan on the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

The seminar convened senior leadership from the defense and security sector, including representatives from the Ministry of Family Affairs and Human Rights Development, the Ministry of Defence, Somali National Armed Forces, and Ministry of Internal Security and Somali Police Forces. Their participation offered a practical perspective on how gender aspects are considered in internal processes, from recruitment pipelines, to leadership training, and institutional safeguards to prevent SGBV inside the forces.

Civil society organizations brought essential community-based insights, advocacy experience, and engagement networks supporting Somali women’s empowerment and protection. Their contributions highlighted the potential of structured state-society collaboration in shaping gender-responsive security reform.

International partners were also present, including Sweden’s Ambassador to Somalia, and Norway’s Charge d’Affairs in Somalia,  alongside agencies from the United Nations. 

Ultimately, our goal is clear: Somali women are not just participants, but key contributors to peace and stability in their communities. When we recognize their voices, integrate them into decision-making, and give them the tools to act, we are not just advancing gender equality – we are building a safer, stronger and more inclusive Somalia for everyone.” European Union Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Francesca Di Mauro

Key dialogue questions addressed how gender perspectives are embedded across government institutions, cross-cutting coordination mechanisms between ministries, complementarities with civil society, and realistic measures for increasing women’s recruitment, retention, professional development, and protection within the Somali defense and police forces.

The seminar closed with a shared recognition: integrating gender dimensions is not an add-on to Somalia’s security reforms—it is a prerequisite for their legitimacy and long-term success.