Research Studies

A vibrant civil society is essential to the sustenance of any nation’s development. In Puntland State of Somalia, the role of civil society groups has been vital in the political, social and economic development of the country. Civil society organizations (CSOs) have assisted in improving the life’s quality of the people of Puntland, ensuring good governance, developing the capacity of the government to apply the principles of accountability, transparency and openness; and working towards sustainable development of the region and state. The CSOs have also played an important role in delivering humanitarian assistance, while they fill the void created by the collapse of the government. The major objective of this study was to understand the current environment for civil society’s operations and to recommend actions for effective and coordinated work of CSOs in Puntland. Twenty three organizations in Galkacyo and Garowe cities participated in this study through in-depth interviews on issues of structure, functionality, goals and objectives to examine their challenges and strengths. The research sought to understand civil society’s creative power and collective action, while they attempt to stay sustainable and relevant to the needs of the citizens, who depend on their local CSO to solve their social problems.

This paper summarises the key lessons drawn from a study that examined how different people responded to and survived the recurrent shocks during the 2011–2016 period; the drivers of marginalisation or exclusion and how these are maintained; the influence that external actors had on the coping strategies used by different communities; and the apparent effectiveness of chosen strategies. The study sought to understand how livelihood and coping strategies are changing as a result of the frequency and severity of local conditions in Somalia, and local community perspectives on vulnerability and livelihood objectives. It also explored how access to aid and other external resources influenced livelihood and coping strategies, and how local communities’ resilience and livelihood strategies related to the objectives and practices of humanitarian agencies.

Through the support of Diakonia Somalia, this study was carried out in between December 2018 and January 2019 to assess the gender dimensions of climate change related projects in Somalia. The study was based on literature review and field data collection. The literature reviewed focused on Puntland and Somalia policy documents related to climate change supplemented by selected global literature that present the state of knowledge and best practice on gender and climate change. Field data was collected in six target districts (Bender Beyla, Dangorayo, Iskushuban, Harfo and Dhahar) through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Interviews were also organized with representatives of seven government ministries and four development organizations.

In the politically collapsed system of Somalia, the people have lent trust to the office of traditional leaders owing to the tradition’s respect to the office. In the light of this natural or circumstantial inclination, a lion’s role has been given to the elders’ office in the efforts of seeking solutions for the political problem throughout most of the last 27 years. The supposed institution is positioned today as the bedrock for improving governance and political systems in the country. But there are lingering concerns with the way in which the role is handled.

This study examined the extent to which gender mainstreaming was carried out in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policy, programs and projects implemented by Puntland Ministries Education; Health; Labor, Youth and Sports; and Planning and International Cooperation. The study aimed to provide insight that can contribute to promote equality among women and men in Puntland. The main methods of the study were in-depth interviews with Ministers, Director Generals, Directors, Gender Focal Points and Technical Advisers and desk review of other secondary data.

The study was carried out between September 2017 and January 2018 and was organized in three work areas: (i) Explore the environment, challenges and opportunities for localizing SDGs in Puntland; (ii) Generate data and information on the status of SDG 7 and provide the baseline for monitoring future progress on SDG7 in Puntland; and (iii) Based on the results of i and ii, localize SDG goal 7 with the aim of increasing use of solar power in Puntland. Public Surveys, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews were conducted at two urban areas (Bosaaso and Garowe) and two rural areas (Ely and Galdogob). A total of 800 participants were engaged at the four locations. Although the study focused on Puntland, considering the similarity between Puntland and the rest of the country in terms of level of institutional and human capacity, evolving governance structure, and social, economic and environment development constrains, it was expected that the results and experience gain would be applicable to the rest of the country within defined scope of application.

This study was carried out between September and November 2016 in close consultation with Somali police forces (Somali Police Force, Puntland Police Force and Somaliland Police Force), and addressed research questions that relate to female police officers. It covered demographics, strategic targets and initiatives, literacy levels and training, roles and functions, obstacles and perceptions, facilities, and sta development policies. Data was collected from 9 locations across the country, including Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa, Borama, Hargeisa, Burao, Garowe, Bosaaso and Qardho through a public survey, a focus group discussion and key informant interviews. The public survey of the Somali police force was carried out at both federal and state levels using elaborate questionnaires administered to 360 participants. 51 key informants drawn from the police force, civil society, community leaders and government informed this study, and nine focus group discussions were organized at the nine locations, which brought together 161 participants to discuss various issues relating to female police officers in Somalia. The study analysis was organized along seven result areas: (i) Baseline information, (ii) Strategic and operational niches for deployment of female police o cers across Somalia, (iii) Strategic approaches to gender-responsive human resource policies in police forces, (iv) Areas of support and the training needs for female o cers, (v) Challenges and obstacles to female o cers performing their functions, (vi) Development of security plans and operations to prevent and respond to SGBV, and (vii) Women’s participation and representation in the justice and security sector.

Drought recurrence is a persistent phenomenon in Somalia. The latest one has continued for the last three years. Although the subdued Gu rains that fell between April and May provided some temporary relive, the depressed nature of this critical precipitation means the country is still experiencing the pangs of the drought to a great extent. At least for the herding community rainfall does not mark the end of drought. Rainfall failure is traditionally viewed as primary cause of a drought shock. Furthermore, overexploitation of natural resources leading to their degradation especially the vegetation cover (trees, grass etc) is a major contributor to drought conditions. The environmental degradation is basically characterized by depleting the natural resources and environmental pollution. These basic problems are themselves driven by population growth, rising urbanization, overgrazing, deforestation, soil erosion and climate change.

The women and value chain analysis and private sector development study was commissioned by a consortium of KAALO Aid and Development Somalia, Forum for Africa Women Educationist (FAWE)Somalia and Galkayo Education Center for Peace and Development (GECPD). It was carried out in January 2017 by Somalia Institute for Development and Research Analysis (SIDRA).

This gender analysis study of Somalia was carried out between October and November 2016 with the aim of providing a foundation for the implementation in Somalia and Somaliland of the EU “Gender Action Plan Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through EU External Relations 2016-2020 (GAP II)”, which has been formally adopted by the Council in October 2015 and which provides the framework for the European Commission’s (EC), the European External Action Services’ (EEAS) and European Member States’ (MS) approach to gender equality through external relations for the period 2016-20.