Somalia: Roundtable Discussion for CSO Activists in Garowe City.

Narrative Report: Roundtable Discussion for CSO Activists in Garowe, Somalia

Project Title: Strengthening Civic Space in Somalia Through Media Advocacy
Implementing Partners: PUMA & Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD)
Date: June 2025
Location: Garowe, Puntland, Somalia

CSO Roundtable Discussion in Garowe, Somalia – June 2025

Background

In June 2025, PUMA in partnership with the Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD) organized a roundtable discussion aimed at empowering civil society activists in Garowe, Somalia with the support of CYS. The project, Strengthening Civic Space in Somalia Through Media Advocacy, focuses on enhancing the capacity of local CSOs to utilize media platforms for advocacy, accountability, and promotion of human rights.

Given Somalia’s fragile civic space, the initiative sought to provide activists with knowledge, practical tools, and networking opportunities to strengthen citizen engagement and advance democratic participation.

Objectives of the Roundtable

1. Enhance Media Advocacy Skills: Equip CSO activists with effective strategies for media engagement to amplify human rights and civic issues.

2. Promote Inclusive Civic Space: Discuss challenges and opportunities for fostering an inclusive, safe, and participatory civic environment in Somalia.

3. Networking and Collaboration: Strengthen collaboration between local civil society actors for collective advocacy initiatives.

4. Gender Sensitivity: Highlight the importance of inclusive representation of women in civic activism.

Participants

The roundtable brought together 35 civil society activists from various organizations operating in Puntland and broader Somalia. The participants included media professionals, human rights defenders, and community mobilizers.

Gender Distribution:

• Male Participants: 12

• Female Participants: 23

Participant Profile Highlights:

• Human rights defenders focusing on women’s rights, minority rights, and freedom of expression.

• Media practitioners engaged in investigative journalism and community reporting.

• CSO leaders with experience in advocacy, civic engagement, and policy influence.

Key Discussion Points

1. Current Civic Space in Somalia:

   • Participants discussed the shrinking civic space, obstacles faced by CSOs, and restrictions on media freedom.

   • Emphasis on safety risks for activists and journalists.

2. Media as a Tool for Advocacy:

   • Strategies for using traditional and digital media to highlight human rights issues.

   • Best practices for responsible reporting and engaging the public on civic matters.

3. Gender and Inclusion:

   • Approaches to ensure women and marginalized groups have meaningful participation in civic processes.

   • Addressing barriers to women’s engagement in media advocacy.

4. Collaboration Among CSOs:

   • Strengthening partnerships to create collective impact and avoid duplication of efforts.

   • Sharing resources, networks, and technical expertise.

Outcomes and Recommendations

Outcomes:

• Improved understanding of media advocacy techniques among participants.

• Established a network of CSO activists committed to civic engagement and collaboration.

• Raised awareness of gender disparities in civic participation and strategies to mitigate them.

Recommendations:

• Continuous training on media advocacy and civic engagement.

• Development of a mentorship program connecting experienced activists with emerging leaders.

• Regular follow-up forums to monitor progress and share lessons learned.

• Strengthening digital platforms for civic dialogue and reporting.

Conclusion

The roundtable successfully fostered dialogue and skill-building among CSO activists in Garowe. Participants left empowered with practical tools and strategies for media advocacy, and a strengthened commitment to enhancing civic space in Somalia. This initiative demonstrates the importance of supporting local actors in building an inclusive and participatory civic environment.

Infographic Summary

Roundtable Participation at a Glance:

• Total Participants: 35

• Male: 12 (34%)

• Female: 23 (66%)

Key Focus Areas:

• Media Advocacy

• Civic Engagement

• Gender Inclusion

• CSO Collaboration

Expected Impact:

• Strengthened capacity for media-driven advocacy

• Improved networking among CSOs

• Enhanced participation of women in civic initiatives

Source: CSHRD