Hargeisa (The horn)- Nagaad, the Somaliland women’s Umbrella organization has been recognized as the best defender of gender based rights in the region and awarded ‘Women human rights defenders award 2020’.
This acknowledgment was made by Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa -SIHA Network in Hargeisa where Nagaad was presented with the award of Women Human Rights Defender thence the best women rights defending organization in the Horn region in the current year.
“It is a big honour to be awarded this recognition by SIHA Network” said the Chairperson of Nagaad, Ismahan Abdisalam Hassan during the award ceremony
Established in 1995 by a coalition of women’s rights activists with the aim of strengthening the capacities of women’s rights organizations and addressing women’s subordination and violence against women and girls in the Horn of Africa, SIHA has grown substantially and is now comprised of 136 member organizations.
Nagaad’s award was presented by the SIHA project manager Yusuf Ahmed Abdi at a colourful function witnessed by senior officials and members from the two organizations.
Upon congratulating the Somaliland women umbrella organisation the SIHA Project Manager said the award was in recognition of the endeavours of Nagaad as pertains to relentless campaign for advancement of women rights in Somaliland more so it’s activities related to elimination of gender based violence, Rape and FGC as well pursuit of apt women access to decision making positions both in politics and service.
“While we aware of the cultural and political challenges in the region as a whole in which women face many challenges our network never fails to recognize Women who despite the myriad of difficulties continue to make a real difference in the Horn of Africa in terms of women’s rights and empowerment thence this newly launched annual SIHA Women Human Rights Defender award” said the project manager
While emphasising on the importance the regional network places on the ultimate achievement of gender parity Yusuf Ahmed Abdi went on to inform that SIHA launched the Women’s Human Rights Defender Award for the first time this year with dual launch in Somaliland and South Sudan.
Adding that the process leading to recognition of Nagaad as first recipient started in July 2020 when partner entities we asked to nominate (select) the organization they think has done a good job (Defending Women’s Issues) the rights campaigner said that the results were submitted to SIHA advisory board.
“Upon careful and impartial deliberation the awards selection committee was unanimous with Nagaad’s achievement in having made a real difference in Somaliland in defending women’s rights, thus my pleasure today in awarding the first SIHA Women Rights Defender Award to Nagaad” said Yusuf Ahmed Abdi the SIHA network project manager
Similar sentiments were echoed by the head of the Hargeisa based SIHA office Nuradin Muhumed Abbi, who also addressed the gathering, said, “We are very pleased to be partners with Nagaad an organisation whose deligence despite a myriad of cultural and political challenges has helped changed women’s rights in Somaliland.”
The Executive Director of Nagaad, Ms. Nafisa Yusuf Mohamed thanked SIHA and said, “We are very happy to have received this award from SIHA , which is includes cash, and certificate.
Adding that the glee of this inaugural regional women defenders award is not related to the attendand money but the recognition of achievements Nagaad has garnered over the years promoting women’s empowerment
Nafisa said they will continue their efforts to work for women’s rights, such as education, economic development, the fight against rape and female genital mutilation, all under the auspices of Nagaad.
In her address that culminated the function the Chairperson of Nagaad, Ismahan Abdisalam Hassan, said she was delighted that the 136 members of SIHA, were unanimous in their recognition of achievements of Nagaad then choice of her umbrella as the first recipient of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa-SIHA Women Human Rights Defender.
SIHA’s work in Somaliland involves challenging gender disparities and Islamic militancy in Somaliland and the Horn of Africa Region, capacity building and human rights awareness, organizational development training and strengthening women’s political engagement, and awareness-raising campaigns to challenge sexual violence.
The Somaliland women NAGAAD Network was founded in 1997 to advocate for women and children’s empowerment and to work towards achieving an egalitarian society where women, children and men are equally significant. Currently, NAGAAD consists of 46 women’s organizations across the country. It has operational offices in all six regions, and representative in Nairobi.
