AWLN

English

Call for Applications for Women Leaders to become a member of the
African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Somalia Chapter.

WHAT IS THE AFRICAN WOMEN LEADERS NETWORK (AWLN)?

The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) is a ground-breaking movement of African women leaders. It is a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations through the office of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN). AWLN was launched in New York in 2017. The network comprises of over 200
in Media, politics, diplomatic corps, academics, research, civil society, private sector, young women, rural women and women in Diaspora. The network has the objective of enhancing the leadership of women with thematic focus on
development, governance, peace and stability, economic empowerment and women’s access to finance. In addition to the global structure, there are regional chapters in line with the regional communities in the five regions of Africa. There
are also national chapters established based on country contexts. To date there are (33) countries which have launched national chapters, including Somalia.

The AWLN Somali Chapter

The foundations for the Somalia chapter of the AWLN were laid in a consultative meeting organized by UN Women and the Ministry of Women and Human right development, 2023. During the consultative meeting, the need for establishing a national chapter was agreed up on with the aim of consolidating the achievements made in enhancing women’s participation in
Somalia. During the consultative meeting, an interim Steering Committee to facilitate the launching of the Somalia chapter was formed. The committee was composed of women leaders from government (including representative from MoWHRD), CSOs, private sector, academics, youth and Women leaders.

The AWLN interim committee Somalia chapter was launched at a high-level event in support of UN Women in Somalia. The ceremony took place in the presence of Excellency Khadija Mohamed Diriye, Minister of Women and Human Rights, Deputy
Minister and State Minister of MoWHR, State Minister of Ministry of Internal Security, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Defense, Deputy Police Commissioner, Representative of House of the People, high-level dignitaries from the government,
the UN system, African Union, and Somalia women leaders at all levels. The event was held at General Kahiye and was marked by its vibrant atmosphere. A follow up 4 days intensive workshop was held in support of SWDC a local non governmental
organization to support the ISC to develop the TORs, Road map for the election and Criteria for Membership selection. The Interim Steering Committee of the national chapter supported by the Ministry of Women, and Human rights development and UN Women Somalia is planning on preparing Elections for the membership of the AWLN Somalia chapter.

Who Should Apply?

The membership, of AWLN Somalia should include but not be limited to the following categories:

  • Women serving or formerly occupying at national and local levels senior political offices and positions in parliament, judiciary, executive cabinets (presidency and ministerial positions), etc.
  • Women serving or formerly occupying senior management positions in major governmental and inter-governmental  bodies etc.
  •  Women in or formerly in leadership roles in public institutions such as the academia, senior civil service, public
  • administration, the judiciary, electoral management bodies, etc.
  • Women serving or formerly occupying senior executive positions in the private sector and civil society organizations.
  • Women with access and capacity to leverage important decision-making processes at all levels.
  • Young women and girls engaged in social activism through traditional and online platforms (e.g. bloggers, social
  • media campaigners, etc.) and creative industries.
  • Senior women journalists and media practitioners.
  • Women serving or former leaders of youth groups and associations.
  • Women serving or formerly occupying important positions in traditional governance structures and chieftaincies in Somalia
  • Women leaders in religious groups.

Application Procedure

Please email the following documents to the ISC AWLN SOMALIA Chapter Interim
Steering Committee, UN Women and MoWHRD by the latest August 30, 2023
via email: gender@mwhrd.gov.so / info@mwhrd.gov.so

Letter of Application and CV stating the reasons why you think you are the most
suited candidate for membership of AWLN and meet the
✓ Selection criteria
✓ A letter of recommendation from organizations
✓ Attesting to your leadership skills and/or work on gender equalityand
women empowerment.
✓ Any other evidence documenting your eligibility to bea member ofAWLN

Membership Criteria of AWLN-SO

✓ Sex – Female
✓ Nationality – Somali
✓ Religion – Islam
✓ Minimum experience / qualifications / age:

  • Chair – 20 years. Master degree -35 up to 80
  • Deputy chair – 15years Bachelor – 30 up to 80
  • Executive secretary /admin and finance / program – 5 years (bachelor
  • degree / 25 and above)
  • Other members – 5years (Diploma 25 and above.)
  • Economically stable

✓ Mentally stable
✓ Availability, flexible and voluntary

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