Rahma Noor Ali, a 38-year-old mother with six children, lives in the Deynile district of the Banadir region in Somalia, where she and her family have been displaced. She is a Gender Based Violence survivor and despite not having a formal education, Rahma manages a small grocery shop near her home, earning just enough to provide food for her family. Unfortunately, due to a lack of resources and opportunities, Rahma’s children were unable to attend school. Instead, they stayed at home to fulfill household duties and care for each other.
Rahma’s life took a significant turn when she became a beneficiary of the LEAP III project. Implemented by Nomadic Assistance for Peace and Development (NAPAD) in collaboration with UN Women, and funded by the Government of Japan, the project aimed to enhance the resilience of women and girls in Somalia to the gendered impacts of drought and famine. Through Technical Training, the project empowered women by equipping them with marketable skills, thereby increasing their access to sustainable economic activities and livelihoods.
Rahma enrolled in the two-month training program, held at the GBV one-stop center in the Deynile District of Mogadishu. She chose to specialize in tailoring and acquired invaluable entrepreneurial, life, and psychosocial skills at the center. Inspired by this experience, Rahma aspires to establish her own thriving tailoring shop, catering to the needs of women, men, and children of all ages.
“The ability to create dresses for myself and my children for the first time fills me with so much joy. My neighbor, Nimco Abdulle, introduced me to sewing, and my skills have significantly improved through this training. I am excited to continue with tailoring and transform it into a reliable source of income to better support my children,” Rahma shared enthusiastically.”
NAPAD provided the TVET graduates with business start-up kits and equipment tailored to their specific training areas, empowering them with the resources they need to kickstart their respective businesses.
Upon completing the program, Rahma received in-kind support which included essential sewing tools and equipment. She now practices tailoring from her home, serving her neighbors and community members. The income she earns not only meets her family’s basic needs but also allows her to send her children back to school.
Rahma’s success story extends beyond women’s economic independence; it is about resilience and empowerment. She has become an inspiration to other women and girls in her community, demonstrating that with access to socio-economic support, displaced and vulnerable women can improve their livelihoods and improve their well-being. Rahma’s gratitude towards NAPAD and UN Women highlights the importance of continuing such programs to empower survivors of gender-based violence and help them regain their independence.