MOGADISHU, Somalia – The National Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (Tubsan) has launched a significant new initiative aimed at fortifying the country’s security framework by empowering women within the armed forces. In a high-level training workshop held today in Mogadishu, the agency gathered female officers from various branches of the security sector to discuss peacebuilding and leadership.
The workshop, titled “Building Peace and Women’s Leadership in the Armed Forces,” served as a platform to address the often-overlooked potential of women in conflict resolution and intelligence gathering.
Mr. Ali Yasin Gurbe, the Director of Tubsan, delivered a keynote address that placed the inclusion of women at the center of Somalia’s strategy to defeat violent extremism. He argued that a security apparatus devoid of female leadership is inherently flawed and unable to fully penetrate the societal layers where extremist ideologies often take root.
“If women are not part of ensuring security, a large role is missing,” Director Gurbe stated during his address to the officers. “We want you to cooperate on security, as your involvement closes a critical gap in our national defense.”
The Director’s remarks reflect a growing recognition within the Federal Government of Somalia that military force alone is insufficient to eradicate extremism. The Tubsan agency is tasked with the ideological and social dimensions of this struggle, and they view women as essential gatekeepers of community stability. The training session focused on equipping these officers with the skills necessary to lead operations, mediate community disputes, and act as a bridge between the public and the security forces.
Participants at the event included uniformed female officers from the Somali Police Force, the National Army, and the Custodial Corps. The sessions covered strategies for effective communication, identifying early warning signs of radicalization, and the specific leadership challenges women face in male-dominated security environments.
By investing in the capacity of these officers, Tubsan aims to create a more holistic security approach—one that leverages the unique insights and community access that women provide. This initiative is part of a broader government effort to ensure that the fight against terror groups like Al-Shabaab is inclusive, utilizing every available asset to restore lasting peace to the nation.
