The Duchess of Edinburgh made a powerful two-day visit to Somalia, highlighting crucial support for women caught in conflict zones ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.
Saving Women in Somalia’s Deadliest Areas
The UK-backed programme covers 39 health centres across five violence-ridden Somali regions: Banadir, Bay, Mudug, Lower Shabelle, and Galgaduud. Funded by British aid, it offers vital healthcare, combats stigma, and provides hope to survivors of sexual violence.
On February 24, the Duchess met survivors at a Mogadishu hospital supported by the International Rescue Committee. She heard raw, heartbreaking tales of female genital mutilation, rape, and assault – the grim reality for many Somali women.
UK Aid Reaches Nearly 130,000 Women and Girls
Between 2024 and 2025, UK aid helped almost 130,000 women and girls in Somalia. Survivors received essential clinical care, hygiene kits, dignity packs, and crucial psychosocial support – all key to recovery from gender-based violence.
Fighting Terror and Strengthening Security
The visit also spotlighted the brutal threat of terror group al-Shabaab. At Villa Somalia’s Uganda House, the Duchess and Somalia’s first daughter, Jihan Abdullahi Hassan, listened to chilling accounts from victims abused by militants, highlighting the critical UK-Somalia security partnership.
As she left Somalia to continue her regional tour, the Duchess sent a bold message: women’s rights and safety in war zones remain a top global priority.
