2009 annual report

Somaliland

Barwaaqo Voluntary Organization (BVO)*
$33,360
To enhance the ability of women to advocate for political inclusion in Somaliland and promote political solidarity among women. BVO will conduct an impact assessment of their previous work and a baseline survey on political violence against women. BVO will hold 4 four-day workshops on good governance, civic education, leadership and gender rights and 4 one-day events to strengthen and focus the purpose and energy of women’s coalitions.

Consortium of Somaliland Non-Governmental Organizations (COSONGO)
$41,040
To improve collaboration between civil society organizations (CSOs) and media, and mobilize stakeholders to participate in televised discussions. COSONGO will conduct workshops for CSOs on their role in conflict mitigation during elections and for media associations and CSOs on how to increase political participation and promote transparency, rule of law, and democracy in Somaliland. COSONGO will organize televised discussions between political party representatives, CSOs and media on accountability and transparency during the election and beyond.

Institute for Practical Research and Training (IPRT)
$62,740
To enhance the capacity of legislative staff in Somaliland and disseminate legislative proceedings. IPRT will work with staff to produce Xog Warran, the official House of Representatives electronic bulletin, and maintain the Hansard System, the permanent record of legislative proceedings. IPRT will broadcast recorded segments of legislative discussion on satellite television and on their website, Waheen TV, and will hold two town hall meetings to discuss the lack of independent radio in Somaliland.

Somaliland Society for Independent Journalists and Writers (SSJW)
$37,280
To raise awareness of corruption in Somaliland and encourage officials to embrace accountability. SSJW will conduct a survey of the public’s perception on integrity in government, hold four workshops for 10 journalists to develop recommendations on the media’s role, encourage a coalition between media and CSOs to combat corruption, and consult the judiciary and private sector on strategies for reform. SSJW will engage youth through a soccer tournament and publish articles on corruption and accountability in local newspapers.

Somaliland Voice of Youth (SOLVOY)
$35,226
To provide youth in the Sool and Sanaag regions of Somaliland with civic knowledge and skills and promote a culture of peace and reduce election-related violence. SOLVOY will conduct a one-day anti-election violence workshop in Sool, four five-day election and voter workshops for potential youth leaders, and a three-day dialogue workshop in the national capital for civil society, political parties and national government representatives to discuss relationship-building among these groups.

Somaliland Youth Development Association (SOYDA)*
$31,497
To provide education, raise awareness and reduce the frequency of human rights violations in the Mandhera and Gabiley prisons. SOYDA will conduct basic Somali and English literacy and numeracy classes for 200 prisoners and 75 custodians and will hold a two-day workshop for representatives from the judiciary, legislature, prison custodian corps, and civil society to develop a process for prison oversight and to regularize points of access for human rights advocates.

Somaliland Youth Voluntary Organization (SOYVO)
$28,630
To educate youth about democracy, elections, and citizenship, and to encourage their active participation in democratic processes. SOYVO will conduct two workshops for 30 youth on political participation, accountability, equal representation, corruption, and election monitoring. SOYVO will hold bi-monthly drama workshops to develop messages on issue-based political participation and conduct intensive training for 30 young women and men in bookkeeping, computer skills and computer networking.

Togdheer Youth Voluntary Organization (TOGYVO)
$35,660
To enhance dialogue mechanisms between marginalized groups and improve community awareness of human rights. TOGYVO will hold forums for physically disabled persons and minority clan representatives to identify ways to advocate together for different and shared needs. TOGYOVO will disseminate pamphlets about human rights and the Somaliland Constitution and focus its outreach in schools, public institutions and common meeting places. TOGYOVO will also produce a quarterly newsletter for human rights victims and defenders to express their views.

United Togdheer Associations (UNITA)
$21,389
To enhance the capacity of women to expand their role in decision-making in Somaliland, UNITA will hold a 30 day TOT program for six women, and conduct six five-day workshops for housewives from six districts who will learn about democracy, participatory decision-making, voting and the upcoming elections. UNITA will hold four advocacy forums for 25 leading members of society in Togdheer region to discuss limits on women’s participation and how to foster change.

Voice of Somaliland Minority Women Organization (VOSOMWO)
$26,900
To fight discrimination against minorities in Somaliland. VOSOMWO will deploy human rights monitors to document violations and conduct interviews in minority communities in preparation for VOSOMWO’s annual human rights report, and hold consultative meetings and two workshops that will bring together local and national officials, minorities, and main clan leaders to develop a platform that seeks to transform social norms in Somaliland.

Women in Journalism Association (WIJA)
$40,040
To enhance the role and capacity of women as journalists and politicians, WIJA will conduct four one-day workshops for legislators, government officials and CSO leaders to discuss the role of women in media, hold a 10 day workshop on journalism and production skills for 15 journalists, produce the bi-monthly Almis newspaper in Somali and English, and produce ten 30-minute television shows on the importance of women’s full participation in economic and political roles in Somaliland.

Women’s Rehabilitation and Development Association (WORDA)
$35,640
To promote women’s leadership in politics and development and build support for women’s participation. WORDA will conduct a four-day workshop for 20 teachers on community mobilization and civic education. WORDA will develop a civic education manual and teachers will use it for awareness education in their schools. WORDA will hold two-day trainings on campaign management for 20 women from the three political parties and produce and televise 16, 20-minute programs promoting democracy and sustainable peace.

* Indicates Department of State funding beyond NED's annual appropriation