Women in Galdogob who contested in the May 25, 2023 local council elections faced significant challenges despite the introduction of the one-person, one-vote system. While the system created new opportunities for direct participation, many women struggled with limited understanding of the electoral process and strong competition from male candidates. As a result, only five out of 27 seats were secured by women. Nevertheless, this marks gradual progress and reflects growing support for women’s political participation in Puntland, offering hope for a more inclusive future.
Four years since its founding on 11 April 2022, Bilan Media has grown from a bold initiative into a powerful platform where Somali women are no longer just subjects of stories — they are the storytellers.
Produced with support from UNDP Somalia and the European Union, the platform has trained young female journalists, published over 400 impactful stories, and reached millions of audiences across Somalia and beyond — all while championing women’s leadership, resilience, and visibility in a male-dominated field.
As Somalia’s first all-women media house, our newsroom is built on a simple but powerful idea: when women hold the microphone, the narrative changes. Stories emerge that were previously overlooked—not because they were unimportant, but because the people telling them were too distant from the communities living them.
Women entrepreneurs in Baidoa are sustaining families and driving local growth through small businesses, backed by microfinance and training, despite security, transport and social challenges.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud will travel to New York City to chair a United Nations Security Council meeting, marking the first time a Somali president has led the Council.
Puntland Darawish forces attacked the central base in Garowe after police detained two suspects, leaving one soldier dead and several fighters wounded. Authorities say the city is now calm and investigations are underway.