By Kemiso Wessie
In Somalia, where media has historically been influenced by patriarchal norms and war, the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) is a unique force for change. Maryan Seylac, the organisation’s founder and executive director, is devoted to promoting women’s rights and representation in Somali journalism while supporting an ethical and truthful media environment.
For nearly two decades, Seylac has navigated Somalia’s male-dominated media space, beginning as the only woman journalist during her time at Radio Baidoa. Her experience inspired her to establish SOMWA, recognising the need for more female voices to cover crucial issues, including gender-based violence and the lives of displaced women, subjects often overlooked by her male colleagues. “A man does not have the same interest or understanding in these stories,” Seylac shared. “For us, these are stories happening to us and around us; they need to be told with a perspective that understands their depth.” She added.
Through SOMWA, Seylac has led numerous initiatives, from advocating for female journalists’ rights to providing skills development, legal support and mentorship programs. These efforts have empowered many women to step into Somali media, breaking barriers and asserting their roles in public discourse. SOMWA’s advocacy has been instrumental in increasing women’s participation and representation in the media while confronting workplace harassment, gender-based discrimination and limited access to leadership, persistent issues within the industry that Seylac emphasises must be addressed to create a truly inclusive media landscape.
Maryan Seylac, executive director of SOMWA
“We want to use the media as a tool of social change,” she asserts. Seylac’s vision for journalism extends beyond gender representation and believes in media’s transformative potential to foster peace and counter division. “The Somali media has often been a tool for fueling division,” she explained, acknowledging the impact of conflict on both the public and private media sectors. In recent years, SOMWA has championed fact-based journalism as a way to counter the spread of misinformation and promote conflict resolution.
A recent Twitter discussion under the topic “Why fact-based journalism matters more than ever in Somalia” hosted by SOMWA underscored this mission, focusing on the importance of fact-based reporting as a pillar for peacebuilding. “Our goal is to create an atmosphere where journalism acts as a bridge for understanding, not as a weapon for division,” she said. In a country still grappling with decades of strife, Seylac sees a powerful opportunity for journalism to foster dialogue and aid post-conflict recovery.
The establishment of a journalism curriculum at the Somali National University marks a significant milestone, that, Seylac believes, has improved the training ground for young journalists. Reflecting on her early career, she observes, “When I started, there were no formal programs for journalists in Somalia, we learned through training workshops.” While this development is promising, Seylac stresses that more needs to be done to ensure graduates apply their skills effectively, especially in today’s media environment where private media ownership prioritise profit over ethics.
“We need journalism education that equips students not only with technical skills but also with a strong ethical foundation,” Seylac emphasised. Despite the progress, she remains concerned about the impact of digital influences and social media pressures, which can dilute the journalistic standards that Somali media desperately needs.
In Somalia, limited access to information and absence of robust data laws present significant obstacles for journalists, often leaving them vulnerable to threats when reporting on sensitive issues. For those brave enough to pursue investigative journalism, the risks are grave. “Investigative journalists are often forced to flee and seek refuge, or face threats for doing their jobs,” Seylac said. She advocates for stronger protections and viewing journalists as “mirrors” that can help governments identify and correct their wrongs rather than silencing them
The role of international funding also comes into focus, as women-led organizations in Somalia frequently face financial hurdles. “It’s a misconception that international organisations prioritise women-led initiatives. Often, they fund male-led organisations, leaving us to struggle to achieve our goals and sustain our work,” Seylac explains. Financial sustainability remains a pressing concern, as funding gaps hinder SOMWA’s ability to expand its impact.
For the future, Seylac envisions a journalism sector that upholds impartiality, ethics, and serves as a true watchdog for society. She calls for more supportive policies, better protections for journalists, and a collective effort to embrace the digital and AI-driven landscape responsibly. “We are in a digital world now, and journalists need to be mindful of their role within it,” she noted, urging her peers to use technology to enhance, not undermine, journalistic integrity.
Seylac’s journey and vision highlight the resilience of Somalia’s female journalists, many of whom face daily challenges to fulfill their roles in a complex environment. Through SOMWA, Seylac continues to build a foundation for Somali journalism that empowers women, champions ethical reporting, and ultimately strives to uplift society as a whole.
This article, Somalia Women Association on transforming the media landscape was originally published by the Ajen Newletter on November, 10th 2024