Enhancing Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking: Strengthening the Role of Women in National Reconciliation and Local Governance in Somalia
Training | August 2024
The MIDEEYE project, meaining ‘unifier‘ in Somali, is spearheading a transformative initiative aimed at promoting national reconciliation and strengthening inclusive governance across Somalia, which is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Finland and implemented by Finn Church Aid (FCA) together with the Peacemakers Network. Towards the objective of contributing to national reconciliation, the project recently implemented a series of trainings on conflict resolution and peacebuilding, focusing on the role of women within the reconciliation and dialogue processes.
Participants at the Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking Circle Training’ facilitated by Somali Gender Equity Movement (SGEM).
In 2019, the Peacemakers Network commissioned its member, Somali Gender Equality Movement (SGEM) to develop a manual on Conflict Resolution and Peace-making Circle Process Training. The Manual incorporates the traditional circle process into the Somali cultural and religious context. Its purpose is to introduces the concept of Circle process into the Somali society as a tool for building peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution. It is particularly intended to build the skills of the grassroots and local women working in peacebuilding, peace-making, and reconciliation; and to provide guidance for facilitating a peace circle process tailored for Somali context.
The Circle is a simple structured process of communication creating a safe space to discuss very difficult or painful issues to advance healing and reconciliation, improve relationships and resolve differences. The Circle process is deliberate in its design on the format of the conversation on difficult issues. Subsequently, the Circle process establishes the values and guidelines generated by participants before speaking about differences or conflict. It also encourages each participant to step in the direction of their best self and others.
Peace circle training in progress.
The first training was organised in August 2024 for 15 staff members of the Bay women Network in Southwest state. The second four-day training was organised for 15 women from Banadir region focusing on conflict resolution mechanisms and the traditional peace-making process. The trainings sought to enhance the capacity of participants from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to deliver impactful civic education programs on reconciliation and peacebuilding. The training deepened participants’ understanding of Somalia’s socio-political dynamics and regional variations, allowing them to customize the training content effectively.
The training will be organised for participants from Hirshabelle and Galmudug region of Somalia at the end of September 2024.
About the MIDEEYE Project
The MIDEEYE project in Somalia is implemented by Finn Church Aid (FCA) together with the Peacemakers Network and is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Finland. The project is contributing towards a renewed social contract which is built on trust in the state, social cohesion, and a shared vision of a common future among Somali people. This will be achieved through two outcome areas i.e. increased national capacity to effectively implement and operationalize National Reconciliation Framework (NRF) in the Federal Government and selected Federal Member States (FMS) to build legitimacy and trust in government institutions; and strengthened inclusive governance and administration for effective basic service delivery in selected FMS, in accordance with NRF and Wadajir National Framework for Local Governance.
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