Journalism is one of the most dangerous professions in Somalia. A humanitarian crisis, political instability, and clan tensions have all created a hostile environment for journalists to navigate. For female journalists, their experiences have taken a backseat in both domestic and global journalism due to the male-dominated media in Somalia. Not only do women have to face the trials that come with the profession, they also must confront day-to-day gender-based discrimination and violence.
Listening to Somali journalist and human rights defender, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, speak at the University of York’s Amnesty International Society, I was in awe at the manner in which he recounted his own experiences, whilst also talking about the gender-specific issues female Somali journalists face. By bringing to light their experiences, we can only hope to create a stronger space on the global media stage for Somali women to report on what they believe is important.
Ranked 141 out of 180 in the 2023 Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index, an annual and international ranking of press freedom records, Somalia is recognised to be extremely dangerous for journalists. As recorded by the Committee to Protect Journalists, between 1992 and 2023, 73 journalists have been killed in Somalia. Media outlets have been subject to political pressure and bribery by politicians, making it almost impossible to provide objective coverage. With the rise of the Islamist insurgent group, Al-Shabaab, the media became even more repressed, and subjects such as sexual orientation and gender became strictly prohibited. This repressive system has led to many journalists facing exile, imprisonment or torture.
As Abdalle Ahmed Mumin suggested in his discussion, it is important to understand the intersection of gender and the dangers of being a Somali journalist. Statistics from the Committee to Protect Journalists show that 68 of the 73 journalists killed were men. However, as noted by Muthoki Mumo, the committee’s representative for Sub-Saharan Africa, this does not mean that women are safer within the field.
Nasrin Mohammed Ahmed, former Chief Editor of Somalia’s first female-only media station, Bilan Media, stated that female journalists don’t just face harsh living conditions, but are subject to unique issues as a result of working in this male dominated field. As indicated by the 2016 Baseline Study on the ‘Working Conditions of Somali Women Journalists’, the working conditions fall far short of the fifth United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. If this remains unaddressed, the country will fail to achieve the United Nation’s overarching goal of ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls. Within the profession women are less likely to be given reporting assignments and job progressions. The study also reported that 56 percent of its respondents have faced sexual harassment, with no ‘robust mechanisms’ in place within the workplace to protect against this.
Alongside sexual violence, female journalists challenge cultural beliefs which dictate that they should not be working within the public sphere. Fathi Mohamed Ahmed, founder of the Somali Media Women’s Association and later editor-in-chief for Bilan Media, had to secretly pursue a media course due to her family’s disapproval; an all-too-common occurrence. These cultural beliefs have led to female journalists being outnumbered and not taken seriously by their male counterparts. The cultural beliefs and the lack of support systems have led to women routinely being harassed when out on assignments by people who believe they should be within the home. This already hostile environment is made even more difficult as female journalists aren’t given maternity leave, making pursuing a career in journalism increasingly unreachable. It is important for female journalists to have a platform as it brings to light a different perspective on Somali politics and everyday life compared to the heavily regulated state and male-dominated platforms. They have also tackled otherwise ignored issues such as women’s reproductive health and period education. By having women report on what they deem important, it will weaken taboos and shift cultural expectations, amplifying the voice of women and girls.
Despite this, the situation for women in the media remains hopeful. Launched in 2022, Bilan Media (‘Bilan’ meaning “shining a light”), an all-female media team, has become a household name in Somalia. Enjoying editorial independence outside of state regulation, Bilan Media has taken up stories regarding women’s health, autism awareness, and HIV. They also celebrate women’s presence in all walks of life such as business, politics, and culture.
Bilan Media has worked to bring fundamental human rights to the forefront of media coverage, an impressive feat in a country where such rights are abused. In their own words, they are “telling the stories we want to tell in the way we want to tell them.” In a profession where female reporters have been forced out due to harassment and lack of opportunities, Bilan Media has created a formidable presence on the world stage, allowing issues women deem important to take focus. This was recognised when in June 2024, Bilan Media won The Press Freedom Award for their efforts in creating a space for critical information, which “holds those in power to account”. In creating a space for women within the media and challenging Somali authorities on issues such as period education, and HIV aid, Bilan Media is truly “shining a light” on the lives of women in a country where they have been overshadowed. Despite the conditions working against them, the women at Bilan have allowed a generation of girls to have female role models, hopefully turning the tide for women in Somalia.
It is crucial that the unique and complex issues female Somali journalists face be understood to allow for an even further expansion of women-led media programs. It is with this that cultural beliefs are dispelled and obstacles overcome, allowing for greater opportunities for Somali women and girls. By creating a stronger international space for female journalists and news reporters, we can only hope that Bilan Media continues to shine their light and pave forward for another generation of women.
