UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can
withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality
of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP Somalia strives to address gender equality and women’s empowerment in an effective and coherent manner. The Country Programme Document for 2011 to 2015 provides a framework within which to implement the mandates of gender mainstreaming in the country programme overall and responds directly to the acute challenges faced by Somali women today. UNDP is tackling some of the most recurrent aspects of discrimination through strategic attention to the most vulnerable men, women, girls and boys, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the achievement of human development and gender equality.

This Gender Brief is meant to provide an overall picture as to the situation for women in Somalia today, and is meant to be used by UNDP staff, consultants and any other stakeholders looking for information on issues related to gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is intended that this brief be updated on a regular basis, so that new data can be incorporated whenever possible.