Garowe, Puntland Somalia
+252907724878
info@ayaaninitiative.org
22
Ayaan Initiative
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Welcome to the Travel Agency

Ayaan Initiative is a nongovernmental and nonprofit feminist movement hub, established in 2020 by young girls in Somalia. Dedicated to fostering equity and empowerment, Ayaan Initiative operates as a transformative force for grassroots activism, movement building, and feminist organizing across Somalia. The organization stands as a catalyst for systemic change, challenging societal norms and creating a platform for marginalized voices to be heard.

Somalia is a deeply gendered society, where the socio-cultural norms that govern attitudes, behaviours, practices, and expectations results in gender inequality. Gender equality is a fundamental human right and is essential for advancing development and reducing poverty. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of entire families and communities, and the roles they play as caregivers improve prospects for the next generation. Society in Somalia is very patriarchal and has strict construed gender roles that do not favour women. This has a lot of implications on the woman’s life and put women in the disadvantage position compared to men. Literacy rates are also lower for the female population across all types of residences.

VISION
 

Ayaan Initiative envisions a society where gender equality is a reality, and all individuals, regardless of gender identity, can exercise their rights and choices freely. The organization adopts a broad feminist perspective that encompasses the rights of transgender individuals, actively addressing systemic discrimination and fostering inclusive communities. Its vision is grounded in a commitment to justice, dignity, and equity for all.

CORE MISSION
 
The organization’s mission is to
  • Address the root causes of gender-based discrimination and oppression.
  • Empower a new generation of feminist leaders who advocate for social justice and equality.
  • Build a resilient and inclusive feminist movement that challenges social exclusion and vulnerabilities.
  • Promote the rights and choices of women, girls, and marginalized communities in Somalia.
OUR MOTO
 
To advocate rights & choices of girls and women including feminist and transgender.
Core values

Ayaan initiative believes in the following core principles

  • Voluntarism
  • Activism
  • Accountability
  • Transparency
  • Impartiality
  • Nonpartisan and non-political participation

KEY AREAS OF WORK

Movement Building

Ayaan Initiative focuses on creating and sustaining feminist networks and alliances to amplify voices advocating for gender justice. These networks aim to strengthen collective power and solidarity among feminist groups and individuals.

Grassroots Activism

Through community-centered approaches, the organization empowers individuals and groups to lead change within their own communities. Grassroots efforts focus on education, capacity building, and advocacy to drive transformative social change.

Protection From Violences

We work with communities, families, schools and governments to protect children from harm.

Human rights

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and is essential for advancing development and reducing poverty. We increase access to quality sexual health services and eliminate harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and early and child marriage.

Advocacy

we advocate especially for the needs of girls from low-income communities and those who may face discrimination because of their gender, race, religion, ethnicity, immigration status, disability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Our Aproach

Ayaan Initiative employs an intersectional feminist framework to:

  • Understand and address the interconnected nature of social inequalities, including gender, race, class, and disability.
  • Create safe spaces for dialogue, learning, and collaboration among diverse groups, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
  • Build solidarity across different identities and movements to achieve shared goals and amplify impact.
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GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Ayaan Initiative is governed by a Board of Directors elected by General Assembly members. The Board consists of five volunteer members responsible for overall governance, policy-making, supervision, and guidance to ensure the organization meets its mission and vision.

The executive team, led by the Executive Director and Deputy Director elected by the Board, oversees day-to-day operations. This team is supported by subordinate staff and volunteers, who bring expertise and dedication to the organization’s initiatives.

NEXT PLANS

Ayaan Initiative stands as a beacon of hope and action in Somalia, championing feminist principles and empowering communities to dismantle structural inequities. Looking ahead, the organization is committed to:

The organization aspires to continue driving transformative change and building a future grounded in justice, equality, and empowerment for all.

Expanding its reach to underserved areas across Somalia, ensuring that no community is left behind in the fight for equality.

Deepening partnerships with local and international stakeholders to strengthen its impact and resource base.

Strengthening its organizational capacity through staff development, enhanced infrastructure, and innovative program design.

Launching new advocacy campaigns to address emerging challenges, such as climate justice and its intersection with gender equality.

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