Who we are
About Us
Welcome to Empowerment Initiatives
Empowerment Initiative was established in 2021 to create space for women and to respond to the dire need of the largely neglected persons living with disability, mainly in the Somali inhabited territories of the horn of Africa. In Somalia, people with disabilities are estimated to be over 3 million that is 20% of the estimated population according to some reliable statistics conducted by various Non-governmental organizations. This statistic doesn’t cover people with mental disability communities.
These large segments of the society, whom huge number of them is youth and young adults, have not access to education and certainly have no prospects for employment. This directly means they live with the double burden of poverty and disability, which translates to loss of dignity and extreme vulnerability. The Empowerment Initiatives therefore, aims to create hope for tens of thousands mainly in Somalia, by empowering them through education and employment. Our focus concentrates on those who are in their working age and children in their school age. Women with disability of all ages who, face the burden of gender inequality on top of their disability, will be at the top of our priority groups.
Empowerment Initiative is a grassroots woman and disabled led community organization whose aim is to respond to social development related issues in Somalia.
The Empowerment Initiative engages these communities into development within their communities. This has created a platform to address gender based violence, issues that promote poor Health among women and vulnerability among marginalized members of the society. Empowerment Initiative is to promote the active participation of women and disabled in leadership and girl child education and empowerment program.
Our Mission
Establishing of a national movement that empowers women and persons living with disabilities in the promotion of inclusivity in Somalia. Steered by the believe that women/disabled are key stakeholders to the progress of a community, we identify women/disabled with a bold vision for change and equip them with the necessary leadership skills to make that vision a reality through networking and visibility.
Our Strength
Empowerment Initiative is a grassroots people centered, Community mobilization, accountability, advocacy, partnerships and collaborations, capacity building, respect for people’s dignity.
Location & Coverage
We are a community of individuals and non-profit institutions located at the heart of Mogadishu City with working access in the entire nation. The work of the organization is spread in all the federal member states
Our Objectives
To promote women/person leaving with disabilities leadership in business and politics and encourage women/disables to participate effectively in development through participation in decision making.
To safeguard the rights of marginalized/women and respond to gender based violence through formation of community driven and awareness initiatives.
To localize and interpret to the community the sustainable development goals and the gaps existing in realization of SDGs and other development agendas.
To initiate and inculcate practices that promotes food security and nutrition at household’s level within the community.
Empowerment of Persons with Disability, by tackling socially constructed negative views and stigma through raising of public awareness
To strengthen the capacity of the community to provide comprehensive care and support to the marginalized individuals in society; orphans, vulnerable children and people living with stigmatized conditions through restoration of hope.
Empowering people with disability, have a political representation and voice at the decision making chambers.
Empowerment of persons with disability, through the provision of employment opportunities.
Empowerment of persons with disabilities through education and life skills trainings.
Our Staff
Our staff work tirelessly to make the laws keep their promise, document stories of the women/disabled we work with and or reduce the economic gender gap enhancing the realization of gender equality in Somalia which is a universal value. Empowerment Initiative has 7 key staffs in charge of the programs. The staffs ensure effective implementation of the programs. They are:
Director
Oversees the running of the organization Overall leader.
Programs Officer
In charge of monitoring and evaluation. Does organization documentation.
Accountant
Finance and resource management, Book keeping, Supports monitoring and evaluation. Supports organization documentation.
Programs Assistant
In charge of programs implementation. Writes reports.
Legal Advisor
In charge of human rights. Follows up on cases of abuse. Ensures Human rights is integrated in all the programs.
Other Staff
Somali Women Voices also has other workers depending on the projects and opportunities.
