When I meet Ikran and Deko, I’m struck by how ordinary they look. There is nothing superhuman about them, nothing of a stereotypical militant feminist. And yet they have chosen one of the most controversial and challenging careers for a woman in Somalia.
Working in the media is frowned upon here if you are a man. If you are a woman, it’s madness.
And yet despite qualifications in business and nursing; both these women are determined to make a difference to their local communities and their country by giving women a voice.
Ikran and Deko are part of the management team running the output and developing the programming at Kasmo Radio, the first radio station run by women, for women in Mogadishu and launched just four months ago on International Women’s day. The station broadcasts seven days a week with a staff of just ten women. Knowing that to stir up friction would mean being taken off air at best, and incurring severe repercussions at worst, Ikran tells me they avoid all political programmes and focus on subjects that cannot possibly threaten or cause controversy, but can still have a real impact on the lives of people and families in Somalia. Ikran says their aim is to “be different, raise morale and help Somali women raise their children”. As head of scheduling, her programmes include cookery shows hosted by celebrity chefs, children’s story-time, and educational programmes about health and hygiene. A favourite with listeners she tells me, is effectively a ‘how to outdo your neighbour’ in the dinner party and decorations stakes. Deko, who is part of the management team at the station says there is now room for these more light-hearted pastimes; “a lot has changed, salons are opening now – you know, we get our nails and hair done – restaurants are opening and women are finding careers, but also pride in their work in the home”. Money is coming in and so are the female entrepreneurs eager to fill the gaps created by years of conflict and uncertainty.
Deko insists women always went to work – “let’s face it the men were always out fighting” – she had two jobs, was studying nursing and was pregnant with her first child during the worst days of the war. But she says confidence in women and their abilities is building and that is infectious. They even have men calling in on their radio shows to praise the work they are doing and the effect it has on their sisters, daughters and mothers.
It is not all plain sailing of course. The Somali government is currently tabling a new media law which it’s feared if passed will seriously limit the ability of media professionals to do their job – not exactly the incentive needed to encourage youth, let alone women, into the profession or the media more widely. And these women are hampered by the total lack of media training available to them. They simply are not allowed access, so they and their staff are left with limited skillsets and a hunger to learn more about production, editing, story-writing and technology. But Ikran and Deko are determined to do this their way; without having to hand over their hard-fought project to the more experienced and skilled men.
They may not yet be leading the way in political argument. They are playing the long game and understand that change happens gradually. And by bringing communities together through cookery programmes, chat shows and youth projects, these women are instrumental in building a strong home-front against anyone intent on threatening the new-found cohesion and fragile stability of their community.
This blog was published for Albany Associates and can be found at: http://www.albanyassociates.com/notebook/2013/07/giving-women-a-voice-in-somalia/
(Kasmo radio was set up by Somali NGO called WARDA – Women’s Association for Relief Development Actions and is sponsored by UNESCO)