Somali Peace Line (SPL), assisted participation of children from Somalia to attend a virtual regional capacity building session on gender justice, organized by Children’s Voice Today (CVT) and supported by Save the Children International. SPL played a key role in mobilizing, preparing, and supporting the participation of 10 children from Somalia.
The training aimed to enhance children’s understanding of gender justice, promote positive behavioral change, and strengthen their advocacy capacity to lead gender equality initiatives in their communities. SPL was instrumental in ensuring the successful participation of Somali children by identifying and selecting 10 participants (balanced in gender and diversity).
SPL conducted pre-session orientation to familiarize the children with the concept of gender justice and the objectives of the session. They also arranged internet access, devices, and safe spaces to ensure smooth participation. On the day of the session, SPL provided technical support and facilitated active engagement of the children throughout the event.
The session employed interactive and child-friendly methods such as storytelling, group discussions, and art-based activities to explore gender justice themes.
Breakout rooms allowed for smaller group discussions, enabling Somali children to share personal experiences and learn from peers in Rwanda and South Sudan. All activities were conducted in a safe and inclusive environment, adhering to child protection and safeguarding standards.
The session increased awareness among children about gender equality and the negative effects of gender-based discrimination. Participants expressed a strong commitment to challenge harmful gender norms in their homes, schools, and communities. Children demonstrated improved confidence in advocating for gender justice and showed interest in initiating local projects to promote equality.
On the conclusion, to build on the momentum of this session, it is recommended to continue supporting digital access and safe participation spaces for Somali children in future regional engagements.
