04 March 2025, Mogadishu – EUCAP Somalia and EUTM Somalia hosted a significant workshop in Mogadishu to evaluate the progress made in advancing gender equality and enhancing women’s participation in Somalia’s security sector reform. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including national and international partners, to reflect on the strides taken thus far while identifying practical measures for improving women’s inclusion in the country’s security sector.
The workshop was held in anticipation of the upcoming 2025 International Women’s Day, a timely occasion to highlight Somalia’s achievements in legal reforms towards gender equality, and to explore ways of turning established policies into practice. The European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia) and the European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) collaborated to facilitate this crucial dialogue on the role of women in Somalia’s security landscape, from internal security institutions to the Somali National Armed Forces, and possible synergies with civil society organisations. The discussions centred on the challenges women face to gain access, progress achieved in terms of integrating gender equality in Somalia’s security reform, and potential ways of enhancing women’s participation in the ongoing security sector reforms.
Gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the promotion of human rights are fundamental pillars of EUCAP Somalia’s capacity-building initiatives. As part of its broader mission, EUCAP Somalia actively contributes to the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, working to strengthen the role of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts. This workshop marks another significant milestone in EUCAP Somalia’s ongoing efforts to support these essential goals.
Similarly, EUTM Somalia has been a key player in advancing gender equality within the context of international security training. The mission provides vital training in areas such as International Humanitarian Law, the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict, and gender mainstreaming. These subjects are integrated into various courses offered by the Advisory and Training Team, ensuring that gender perspectives are embedded throughout Somalia’s security sector training programs.
Both EUCAP Somalia and EUTM Somalia remain deeply committed to supporting local initiatives that promote gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development in Somalia. The collaboration between these two EU Missions, along with their national and international partners, continues to drive positive change, ensuring that gender equality is not only a central focus of Somalia’s security sector reform but also a fundamental value that shapes the country’s future.
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EUCAP Somalia is a civilian crisis management mission that has been in operation since 2016. The Mission supports the development of the Somali maritime security, rule of law and wider police capacity.
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EUTM-S is a military training mission that has been in operation since 2010. The Mission’s objectives are to increase the proficiency, effectiveness, credibility and accountability of the Somali defence sector to enable Somali authorities to take over security responsibilities progressively.
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