Somali women who pursue journalism face numerous obstacles, including disapproval from their families. However, many have established themselves as formidable figures in the press, despite threats from both state security agents and armed groups. Fathi Mohamed Ahmed, the editor-in-chief of Bilan Media, an all-female media outlet in Somalia, and Maryan Seylac, co-founder of the Somali Media Women’s Association, are two such women.
Ahmed’s interest in journalism began at an early age, listening to BBC radio with her grandmother. She studied journalism in secret, as her family disapproved. Her father discovered she was studying and insisted she stop, but she persevered and completed her training. Seylac’s career in journalism began when she approached a local radio station for work experience. She was the only female journalist in the city of Baidoa and faced opposition from the community. Seylac co-founded the Somali Media Women’s Association to empower, encourage and increase the number of women in newsrooms.
Both Ahmed and Seylac have helped transform the media landscape in Somalia by focusing on stories that were overlooked and training more women journalists. Bilan Media, launched in 2022, also aims to transform media narratives by providing editorial independence to its all-female staff, who focus on subjects that are important to women, such as women’s health and HIV. While Bilan Media has attracted criticism and threats, it has also made progress in terms of audience reach.
Women journalists in Somalia still face numerous challenges, including gender-based violence and sexual harassment online and offline. However, women like Ahmed and Seylac are paving the way for more female journalists to enter the profession and provide fresh perspectives on important issues.
