Beyond March 8: Why Women’s Voices in Media Matter Every Day
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.
A few days after International Women’s Day, the conversations it sparks are still echoing. And perhaps that is exactly how it should be. Because the work of amplifying women’s voices cannot begin and end on a single day.
For decades, the global media landscape has reflected a narrow range of voices. Women appear in stories, but too often only on the margins—quoted for emotional reaction rather than expertise, portrayed as victims rather than decision-makers, or left out entirely when policies and solutions are discussed. When this happens, the stories that shape public understanding become incomplete.
At Bilan Media, we are working to shift that reality.
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 farmers adapting to climate change. Entrepreneurs building businesses despite limited access to capital. Young girls pursuing education in spaces where opportunity has long been uneven. These are not side stories. They are central to understanding the resilience and future of Somali society.
But telling these stories requires more than simply adding women’s voices into existing narratives. It requires rethinking how journalism is practiced. Our reporters often spend time building trust before the interview even begins. Conversations unfold over shared tea and careful listening. In communities where women have rarely been asked to share their perspectives publicly, that trust becomes the foundation of meaningful storytelling.
This approach does not weaken journalism—it strengthens it. When sources feel heard and respected, their stories become deeper, more honest, and more reflective of reality.
Of course, the journey is not without challenges. Women in media still face questions about their credibility, their objectivity, and even their place in the newsroom. Yet the impact of our work continues to demonstrate why representation matters. When women see themselves reflected in stories—not as background figures but as agents of change—it expands the boundaries of what feels possible.
International Women’s Day reminds us to celebrate women’s achievements, but the real work happens in the days that follow. It happens in newsrooms, in communities, and in every story that chooses to center voices that were once overlooked.
At Bilan Media, that work continues every day. Because when women tell the story, the world hears a fuller truth.
By Amina Yusuf
