Garowe, Puntland – September 11, 2025 — The Media Association of Puntland (MAP), in partnership with Free Press Unlimited (FPU) and under the Danwadaag Program funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has successfully concluded a three-day Women-Only Media Dialogue Forum and Capacity-Building Training held in Garowe from 8–10 September 2025.
The forum brought together 20 female journalists from across Puntland to enhance their skills, strengthen professional networks, and discuss strategies for improving gender-sensitive reporting, particularly in Disaster Risk Management (DRM).
Participants explored practical approaches to overcoming structural, cultural, and institutional barriers while reaffirming the need for stronger advocacy within their respective newsrooms and broader engagement with civil society organizations (CSOs) and government institutions to improve women’s working conditions in the media sector.
Over the three days, participants engaged in expert-led discussions on DRM storytelling, digital security, online harassment, and newsroom reforms aimed at creating more inclusive environments. They also revisited commitments made during the 2024 forum, assessed progress, and identified gaps that require collective action.
The dialogue emphasized the importance of extensive collaboration with relevant CSOs, government bodies, and media managers to push for policy reforms, implement gender-sensitive newsroom practices, and ensure that women journalists are better supported and protected in their work.
Building on the momentum of the July 2024 women-only media dialogue, which provided Puntland’s female journalists with a platform to share experiences and propose solutions, the forum noted modest progress, including greater awareness of gender-sensitive reporting and stronger peer collaboration. However, significant challenges remain, including limited leadership opportunities, unequal pay, lack of maternity protections, digital safety concerns, and weak institutional support.
One key outcome of the forum was the development of recommendations that will inform the upcoming Puntland Media Position Paper on DRM and Gender-Sensitive Reporting, which will serve as a vital advocacy tool to influence policymakers, media institutions, and development partners toward creating a more inclusive and supportive media environment.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Naima Musse Elmi, MAP secretary General highlighted the importance of the initiative:
“This dialogue is another step toward strengthening the capacity and visibility of women journalists in Puntland. Progress has been made since the 2024 forum, but stronger advocacy, safer working conditions, and equal opportunities are still urgently needed. We thank Free Press Unlimited and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their continued support.”
The successful completion of the forum underscores MAP’s ongoing commitment to advancing press freedom, gender equity, and inclusive journalism in Puntland. Through the Danwadaag Program, MAP and FPU will continue to work closely with journalists, policymakers, CSOs, and development partners to promote greater representation of women in the media and ensure their voices are heard in shaping Puntland’s media landscape.
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