Progressive Report: Strengthening Civic Space in Somalia Through Media Advocacy, Digital Security Capacity Building, and Dialogue.
Since the launch of the project in Febraury 01, 2025, the Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD), in collaboration with other CSOs as its local partners, has made significant strides in advancing civic space in Somalia amid a hostile and restrictive environment. The project supported by CYS, aims to counter severe limitations on freedom of expression, assembly, and association, which have intensified due to repressive legislation, state surveillance, and violent crackdowns on civil society.
Media Advocacy for Awareness
The first phase of the project focused on amplifying civil society voices through coordinated media advocacy. Through Horn Afrik News Agency for Human Rights (HANAHR), a series of media broadcasts, radio interviews, and social media campaigns were rolled out to expose the escalating restrictions on civil liberties in Somalia. These platforms highlighted testimonies of human rights defenders, civic actors, and victims of state-led suppression. As a result, the Somali public and international community have gained deeper insight into the pressing need to safeguard civic space.
Digital Security Capacity Building
With the support of the Puntland Media Association, Somaliland Women Lawyers Association SOLWA, and Horn Afrik News Agency for Human Rights HANAHR, CSHRD delivered tailored digital security training to more than 40 journalists, activists, and CSO members. These workshops equipped participants with the knowledge and tools to counter online surveillance, prevent data breaches, and safeguard their communications in a high-risk digital environment. Post-training assessments indicate an 85% increase in participants’ confidence and capacity to navigate digital threats securely.
Digital Security Workshop for CSO members and Stakeholders.
Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue and Alliance Building
Dialogue sessions were organized in Mogadishu, Garowe, and Hargeisa, involving civil society actors, independent media, legal experts, and representatives from Somaliland Women Lawyers Association. These inclusive forums provided a platform to jointly assess civic space challenges and propose cross-sector strategies for resilience. Notably, participants agreed to establish a civic space coordination mechanism to sustain collaboration beyond the life of the project.
Key Achievements to Date
Raised awareness across national and international platforms about the Somali civic space crisis.
Strengthened digital resilience among frontline defenders and media personnel.
Fostered dialogue and strategic alliances among actors traditionally working in silos, with a special focus on women’s legal advocacy and media freedom.
Enhanced documentation of civic space violations through a shared reporting framework adopted by partner organizations.
Impact on Civic Space
These activities have not only exposed ongoing repression but have also empowered local actors to organize more effectively and speak out despite the risks. The initiative has instilled a renewed sense of solidarity among Somali civil society actors, demonstrating the power of collective action and informed advocacy in resisting shrinking civic space.
Next Steps
In the coming months, the project will focus on publishing a digital civic space toolkit, strengthening provincial-level dialogue platforms, and expanding our media advocacy into diaspora and regional networks to build external pressure on repressive policies. A final evaluation will be conducted to measure progress against project indicators, ensuring that the lessons learned are captured for replication and scale-up.
Source: HANAHR
